Are hyperuricemia and hyperglycemia the same thing?
Hyperuricemia is when you have excessive uric acid present found in blood. A high level of uric acids could cause various ailments, such as the painful form of arthritis known as Gout. The elevated levels of uric acid are also linked with medical conditions like diabetes, heart disease and kidney disease.
The rate of hyperuricemia has increased dramatically since 1960. The most recent study of gout and hyperuricemia found that 43.3 million trusted source Americans suffer from the condition.
The reason why hyperuricemia is common
Uric acid is produced by the breakdown of purines within the body. Purines are chemical compounds that are found in certain food items. It is typically comprised of:
- Red meat
- organ meat
- seafood
- beans
Normally, your body cleanses its body of uric acid whenever you go to the bathroom. Hyperuricemia is when your body produces excessive amounts of uric acid or isn’t able to eliminate sufficient amounts of it. It is usually due to the fact that the kidneys aren’t removing it fast enough.
In excess levels of uric acids in your blood may result in crystals forming. While they can form anywhere within your body, they typically grow around your joints as well as in your kidneys. The body’s white blood cells can target the crystals which can cause pain and inflammation.
Hyperuricemia symptoms
About 1/3 of those suffering from hyperuricemia show symptoms. This is referred to as hyperuricemia that is not symptomatic.
Although hyperuricemia doesn’t cause any illness, if the your uric acid levels are high, it is possible that they could lead to a variety of illnesses.
Gout
Gout also known as gouty arthritis, can be found in around 20% of those suffering from hyperuricemia. Rapid drops in uric levels could cause the onset of gout. Gout may manifest in isolated attacks or as flares. There are people who suffer from chronic gout that is characterized by a series of attacks that occur over short spans of time.
The condition can be affecting any joint of your body, however flares typically begin on your big toe. The knees, ankles, feet and elbows are typical locations for gout.
Gout attacks typically happen suddenly, usually during the night. The intensity of the attacks can peak between 12 and 14 hours. If left untreated, the symptoms of gout tend to subside in two weeks.
The symptoms of gout could be:
- joint pains that are severe
- Joint stiffness
- joint pain and difficulty in moving it
- The swelling and redness
- misshapen joints
Gout that is tophaceous
If you’ve been suffering from hyperuricemia over many years, uric acid crystals may form clumps, which are known as tophi. The hard lumps can be found beneath your skin, in your joints, as well as in the curvature in above your ears. Tophi may cause more joint pain, and eventually affect your joints and pressurize your nerves. They’re usually evident to the naked eye and may cause disfigurement.
Kidney stones
Uric acid crystals can lead to an accumulation of stones within the kidneys. The stones usually are tiny and pass through your urine. Sometimes, they may become too big to pass and block the urinary tract.
Kidney stones can be identified by:
- Aching or pain in your lower abdominal, side, back or the groin
- nausea
- an increased desire to urinate
- the pain of urinating
- difficulties in urinating
- Urine with blood
- urine that is foul-smelling
If you have an infection in your kidneys and you feel chills or fever.
This accumulation of urine is an ideal place to breed bacteria. This is why UTIs are common if kidney stones are present.
Find out more: What exactly is an bladder (bladder) disease? >>
Who is at risk for hyperuricemia?
Everyone can suffer from hyperuricemia However, it’s more prevalent for men than women and the risk of developing it increases with the advancing years. Additionally, you’re higher risk to develop it if you’re or are of Pacific Island heritage or African-American.
A variety of risk factors can be associated with hyperuricemia.
- alcohol use
- Certain medications, specifically those for heart disease
- Lead exposure
- pesticide exposure
- kidney disease
- high blood pressure
- High blood glucose levels
- hypothyroidism
- obesity
- Extreme levels of physical exercise
How is hyperuricemia diagnosed?
The doctor can request urine and blood tests to check the levels of creatinine which are a measure of kidney function and levels of uric acids.
The blood is typically drawn from a vein within your arm, most often in the inner part of your elbow or the palm of the hand. Uric acid can be found in your urine because the system excretes it. Your doctor might recommend the collection of your urine for 24 hours when the levels of uric acid are elevated. are detected within your blood.
This test of urine is repeated following a purine-restricted food which aids in determining the presence of
- you’re eating a lot of high-purine food
- your body is producing more uric acid than it needs.
- Your body’s not excreting enough the uric acid it needs.
If you’re experiencing signs from gout symptoms, you physician is likely to check for fluid that’s accumulated within joints. This is done using a needle to drain fluid from your joint. It is taken to a laboratory to be examined to determine if there is signs of crystals of uric acids. The presence of crystals suggests gout.
Hyperuricemia treatment
The treatment for hyperuricemia will be based on the root of the problem. If your hyperuricemia isn’t symptomatic it isn’t advisable to treat. In this case there’s no scientifically proven advantage to using uric acids treatment.
If your hyperuricemia is linked to an underlying issue this condition needs to be addressed:
Gout
Gout is treated using one or one or:
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) can aid in preventing or ease the symptoms of Gout. They include Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB) as well as naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), and celecoxib (Celebrex),
- Colchicine (Colcrys) can be frequently used to treat or prevent gout, especially for those who aren’t able to tolerate NSAIDs.
- Probenecid assists in lowering uric acid levels by increasing the amount of urine that is excreted. It helps in preventing gout attacks.
- Allopurinol (Zyloprim) along with Febuxostat (Uloric) aid in preventing the development of gout by reducing levels of uric acid present in the bloodstream.
Treatment for tophaceous gout is same as that for Gout. If the tophi grow so large that they hinder the joint’s movement, harm the surrounding tissues, or extend through the skin, they could require surgical removal.
In this procedure the incision is cut within the skin that covers the tophus. After that, the tophus is then removed. In the rare case of joint injuries or joint replacement surgery, it may be thought of as.
Kidney stones
If you’ve got kidney stones that are less five millimeters (mm) (mm), your physician might suggest that you drink plenty of fluids and to take pain medication over-the-counter until the stones are gone.
Kidney stones that measure 5 millimeters or greater are more likely to be cleared by themselves. Certain doctors prescribe medicines like Tamsulosin (Flomax) in order to relax your muscles in the urinary tract. This may make it less painful and easier to eliminate the stones.
Other techniques might be needed. Extracorporeal show wave lithotripsy can be an non-invasive procedure in which ultrasound energy, or shock waves, are passed into your skin towards your kidney stones. These shock waves split up the massive stone down into pieces, which allow it to pass more easily through the urinary tract.
If the size of the stones is greater than 10 millimeters they may require you to have them removed surgically.
Ureteroscopic surgery can be performed through the passage of a 2mm scope through the urinary tract. It passes through your bladder, and then directly into your ureters that are the tubes that connect your kidneys and your bladder.
Your surgeon may then carry out the stone extraction. If the stones have to be cut up first, stents could be put in place to help your urine flow. This will ease discomfort and help keep the ureters dilate so that it is easier to get rid of dissolving or fragmented stones.
Hyperuricemia diet
Certain diet changes can help reduce the amount of uric acid present in your blood. If your hyperuricemia can be linked to gout, diet changes could reduce the risk of developing gout and help slow the development of joint injuries.
If you think that changing your diet might be beneficial, talk to your physician. They can assist you in determining whether this is the right option for you.
If you decide to alter your diet, it is recommended that you adhere to your physician’s recommended treatment plan. Changes in diet shouldn’t be considered as a primary treatment.
Be aware that uric acids are created when purines are broken into pieces in your body. While purine is naturally occurring however, it’s also found in certain food items. It is possible to avoid these foods. beneficial.
As well as reducing the presence of purines, it is recommended to consume more fluids, particularly water. Drinking enough water has been linked to fewer attacks of gout. The general rule would be to consume eight glasses of 8 ounces every day. Consult your physician about how much you need to drink.
Also, you should be active and keep your weight in a healthy range. Your doctor will provide suggestions that are best suited to your requirements.
Bottom line
If you are suffering from hyperuricemia that is symptomatic eating habits and lifestyle changes will help reduce uric acids concentrations in blood.
If the levels of uric acids aren’t kept in check then you’re at risk of becoming:
- chronic Gout
- kidney problems
- hypertension
- diabetes
- metabolic disorder
It is important to follow your doctor’s guidelines to avoid the development of chronic medical ailments.