High uric acid symptoms

Symptoms of high levels of uric acid

If too much uric acid is produced in the body and stored in the blood, or if the body is unable to filter out accumulated uric acid in the blood through filtration over the kidneys, it is possible to experience symptoms of high levels of uric acid in the blood.

Uric acid is a product of a metabolic breakdown of a substance known as purine. Purine is a normal compound of every organism. As the case may be, several types of foods contain high levels of purine and this high concentration of purine can in term cause rise in levels of uric acid. Condition when there is a high level of uric acid in the organism is known as hyperuricemia. In general, this condition does not pose a problem by itself. Unfortunately, some people who have high uric acid levels can develop gout or kidney stones, or even suffer a kidney failure, which is a very serious, life threatening condition.

Causes of elevated uric acid levels

Typically, rise in levels of uric acid can be associated with excessive intake of alcohol or caffeine - rich beverages, use of certain medications, genetic predisposition, and levels of niacin and vitamin B3. Some medical conditions can also cause high uric acid levels. Among these are hypothyroidism, leukemia, obesity, psoriasis, Hodgkin's disease, and others. As mentioned, consuming foods that contain high amount of purine can frequently lead to elevated uric acid levels. These would be internal organs from any animal, game meat, peas and beans, and most of freshwater and saltwater fish, especially herring.

Symptoms of elevated uric acid levels

Symptoms of gout, kidney stones or kidney failure are identical with symptoms of high uric acid levels, as these diseases are actually caused by excess quantity of uric acid in the organism. If excess uric acid in form of crystals accumulates in a joint, then that condition is known as gout. Typical symptom of gout is severe pain in the affected joint, that can be triggered even by lightest pressure. Other symptoms of gout include swelling of the region around the joint, peeling of the skin in the affected regi warmth and tenderness of the region.

If uric acid crystals congregate in the kidney cavity, they may form a kidney stone. Symptoms of kidney stone can usually be felt when it moves, and include pain in the back and side, abdominal and/or genital region. Painful urination and blood in the urine are also common symptoms of this condition.

Kidney failure is the rarest consequence of high uric acid levels. It comprises of inability to maintain adequate balance of water and electrolytes in the organism, remove products of metabolic waste, and to promote production of red blood cells. Symptoms associated with this condition are weakness, lethargy, shortness of breath and swelling in general.