Understanding Uric Acid condition

What is uric acid?

Uric acid is a normal body waste product. It forms when chemicals called purines break down. Purines are a natural substance found in the body. They are also found in many foods such as liver, shellfish, and alcohol. They can also be formed in the body when DNA is broken down. 

When purines are broken down to uric acid in the blood, the body gets rid of it when you urinate or have a bowel movement. But if your body makes too much uric acid, or if your kidneys aren't working well, uric acid can build up in the blood. Uric acid levels can also increase when you eat too many high-purine foods or take medicines like diuretics, aspirin, and niacin. Then crystals of uric acid can form and collect in the joints. This causes painful inflammation. This condition is called gout.

Symptoms of gout include:

1. Joint pain or soreness
2. Swelling in a joint or red skin around a joint
3. Swelling and pain in a big toe, ankle, or knee
4. Joints that are hot to the touch
5. Swelling and pain that affects only 1 joint in the body

Normal Range of Uric acid

Woman -Higher than 6 mg/dL 

Man -Higher than 7 mg/dL 

Factors that may cause a high uric acid level in your blood include:

1. Diuretics (water retention relievers)
2. Drinking too much alcohol
3. Genetics (inherited tendencies)
4. Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)
5. Immune-suppressing drugs
6. Niacin, or vitamin B-3
7. Purine-rich diet like liver,meat, anchovies, sardines, gravy, dried beans and peas, mushrooms, and other foods
8. Renal insufficiency (inability of the kidneys to filter waste)
9. Obesity

High levels of uric acid are associated with a condition called gout. Gout is a form of arthritis that causes swelling of the joints, especially in the feet and big toes.

In the next article, do read about how you can control your Uric acid by changes in diet.

Team myDaily.