Everything you need to know about high uric acid levels

Higher uric acid levels can cause serious health problems. It can result in gout arthritis, kidney stones, and even renal failure. Recent studies have shown other complications associated with it. A higher uric acid level may lead to hypertension and cardiovascular diseases as well.

Causes of high level of uric acid in the body
An increase in the level of uric acid in the blood happens because of an increase in the production of uric acid. Another reason is slow excretion of uric crystals from the kidney. The causes of this health condition are:

• High-purine diet including foods like red meat, seafood, and pulses
• Excessive intake of alcohol
• High consumption of sugary foods
• Existing renal problems
• Obesity
• Less active thyroid
• Low immunity
• Genetics

Prevention is the cure
If your initial diagnosis shows higher uric acid level, you can control it. You can follow these simple steps to avoid a health disaster.

• Avoid a high purine diet to exercise control over uric acid levels
• Avoid high fructose food products
• Drink alcohol in moderation
• Reduce your weight
• Drink lots of water

All these would ensure that your uric acid levels stay in control. Following a strict diet can help lower uric acid levels. Here’s what all you should eat.

Diet to follow

• Cherries and strawberries as they have anti-inflammatory properties
• Lemon juice, as the citric acid in it neutralizes uric acid
• Apple cider vinegar flushes uric acid out of the body
• Baking soda makes uric acid more soluble and flushes it out of the body
• Olives and olive oil lowers uric acid content in the body
• Eat organic eggs as they contain less purine
• Flaxseeds reduces uric acid level and inflammation in joints
• Vegetable juices like carrot and cucumber juice keep the body hydrated
• Green tea lowers uric acid

Besides making changes in your diet, it is important to exercise to maintain a healthy weight. Regular exercising helps in dealing with weight management issues. It is also helpful to keep your uric acid level in check.

Symptom management
The initial signs of excessive uric acid in your body includes:

• Inflammation and redness in the joints
• Excessive pain in the joints
• Swelling at the base of the big toe
• Tenderness of joints
• Swelling or redness of ankles, knees, fingers, elbows, and wrists
• Lumps beneath the skin
• Kidney stones

You need to undergo a simple blood test to know uric acid levels in your body. It is good to get a routine test to avoid a serious health disorder later. A high uric acid level is not too harmful and is controllable too. But if the uric acid is excess in the blood, then you are likely to experience serious gout or kidney problems.