High Uric Acid: Causes, Diagnosis, Precautions, Treatment
Are you experiencing joint pain, discomfort, and swelling? It might be due to high levels of uric acid in your blood. Although this condition, known as hyperuricemia, is not always harmful, it can lead to severe complications if left untreated. This article discusses the causes, diagnosis, precautions, and treatment of high uric acid levels. What Causes High Uric Acid Levels? Uric acid is a byproduct of purine metabolism, which is a substance found in many foods, such as red meat, shellfish, and alcohol. Under normal circumstances, your kidneys filter uric acid out of your blood and dispose of it through your urine. However, if your body produces too much uric acid or your kidneys cannot remove it efficiently, it accumulates in your bloodstream, causing hyperuricemia. Several factors can contribute to high uric acid levels, such as: Genetics: Some people are predisposed to develop hyperuricemia due to inherited genes that affect their purine metabolism. Lifestyle factors: High consumpt...