Uric Acid Symptoms & Gout Warning Signs

High Uric Acid: Causes, Signs & Treatment

High uric acid levels in the body can lead to a condition called hyperuricemia, often associated with gout and kidney issues. Uric acid symptoms may include joint pain, swelling, stiffness, and fatigue. Recognising these signs early is key to preventing complications. Dietary habits, hydration, and lifestyle choices play a crucial role in managing and reducing uric acid levels effectively.

Introduction

Uric acid is a natural waste product formed from the breakdown of purines in the body. When its levels rise abnormally, it may result in painful symptoms, especially in the joints. Almost more than 4% of adults in India suffer from gout due to higher uric acid levels. This guide explores the most common symptoms and their impact on your overall health.

What Causes Uric Acid?

Uric acid forms in our body when it breaks down chemicals called purines in foods and drinks. Most of it gets dissolved in our blood and passes through our kidneys and leaves our body through urine. Hyperuricemia can be caused by genetic factors, a diet high in purines and fructose, impaired kidney function that reduces uric acid excretion, or certain medications.

What is the normal range of uric acid?

The normal range of uric acid is different in males and females. Doctors consider uric acid levels over 6 mg/dL high for females. However, for males, uric acid levels over 7 mg/dL are considered high. If uric acid levels are lower than the physiological range, then it is primarily not concerning.

What are the signs of high uric acid levels?

Hyperuricemia, or high uric acid levels, can lead to symptoms, most notably gout and kidney stones. Sometimes it can lead to severe complications like tissue damage if left untreated. In this section, we will highlight the uric acid symptoms of these conditions in detail:

1. Symptoms of Gout

Here are the symptoms of gout that individuals with higher uric acid levels may experience:

1. Sudden and Severe Joint Pain: This is the hallmark of gout, as many people experience this. Gout often affects your big toe, but it can also affect other joints like ankles, wrists, and knees.
2. Swelling and Redness: Many patients complain that the affected area appears red, swollen, and feels warm when they touch it. It occurs due to an immune response against the uric acid crystals.
3. Tenderness: Even a light touch can be very painful in the affected area. Accumulation of uric acid crystals irritates the synovium, the lining of the joint, causing tenderness and pain. It is one of the most common high uric acid symptoms in females.
4. Limited Mobility: Intense pain and swelling can restrict the range of motion of the joint due to chronic inflammation and irritation in the linings of the joint. Repeated joint attacks can lead to permanent joint damage.
    

2. Symptoms of Kidney Stones

Individuals suffering from hyperuricemia experience these symptoms of kidney stones:

1. Pain in the Back, Groin and Side: Individuals can experience intense pain in the groin, back and side. This happens due to the location of the kidney stones within the urinary tract. This is one of the most common high-leveluric acid symptoms that occur in adults.
2. Pain or Burning Sensation During Urination: Some patients can feel intense pain and a chronic burning sensation while urinating. It is a common sign of high uric acid symptoms and arises due to the movement of stones through the urinary tract.
3. Increased Urge to Urinate: Kidney stones can cause an urge to urinate because they can irritate the urinary tract, including the urethra and bladder, as they travel through it. This irritation triggers a sensation of emptying the bladder, even though it is not full.
4. Cloudy or Bloody Urine: Many individuals suffering from high uric acid symptoms experience cloudy or bloody urine. This signifies that the stone may be irritating the urinary tract. Stones irritate the linings, causing bleeding and potential infection in the urinary tract.
5. Fever: Though it is not a primary symptom of high uric acid, it can occur if the kidney stone develops a potential infection. It mainly occurs if the patient develops a urinary tract infection or a kidney infection. Intense chills and fever may require immediate medical attention.
    

How to Diagnose High Levels of Uric Acid?

Doctors usually diagnose and measure uric acid levels through blood and urine tests and sometimes with joint fluid analysis. Let us discuss these diagnostic tests in detail and how doctors assess uric acid symptoms through these tests:

• Blood Test: A healthcare professional will draw a blood sample from a vein, usually in the arm. After taking the sample, they will measure the uric acid concentration in the blood.   
• Urine Test: Doctors may recommend a 24-hour sample collection to assess the amount of uric acid excreted in the urine. Higher levels of uric acid in the urine sample may indicate hyperuricemia.
• Joint Fluid Analysis: In some cases, if a healthcare provider suspects gout, they might extract fluid from an affected joint. After collecting the fluid, they will examine the uric crystals under the microscope.
• Imaging: If the doctor cannot detect any uric acid crystals in the joint fluids, they may recommend imaging tests, such as an ultrasound or X-ray. These imaging tests will help them detect uric acid crystals in the affected joints and can rule out other conditions.

What are the treatments for uric acid symptoms?

Treatment for uric acid symptoms, primarily gout or kidney stones, focuses on reducing pain and inflammation during attacks. Additionally, healthcare providers focus on lowering uric acid levels to prevent future episodes.

Let us discuss some common treatments for managing the symptoms of uric acid:

• NSAIDs: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like naproxen and ibuprofen relieve pain and inflammation during gout attacks.
• Colchicine: This medication helps reduce inflammation and irritation during acute gout attacks.
• Corticosteroids: These are powerful anti-inflammatory drugs, which you can take both orally and through injection to treat the affected, swollen joints.
• Medications to lower uric acid levels: Doctors sometimes recommend allopurinol and febuxostat to reduce the production of uric acid. Apart from these, they sometimes recommend probenecid to excrete more uric acid.

How to Prevent High Uric Acid Levels?

Dietitians usually recommend focusing on a diet low in purines, as higher levels of purine will produce high uric acid. You must prioritise a diet of lean protein, low-fat dairy, fruits, and vegetables. Include fruits like strawberries, cherries, and citrus fruits, along with leafy greens, in your daily diet.

Limit alcohol consumption, sugary beverages, and red meat. Red meat and certain seafoods like sardines or anchovies are high in purine. Including low-fat dairy products like yoghurt and skim milk in your diet may help you maintain a normal uric acid level, as some studies suggest they can be protective.

Final Words

Hyperuricemia is quite common, and many people suffer from this due to a purine-rich diet. If you suspect any kind of joint pain, then consult with a healthcare provider to resolve the uric acid symptoms as early as possible. Moreover, it is crucial to stay hydrated, avoid stress and do regular exercise to maintain normal uric acid levels.