What is hyperuricemia?
Hyperuricemia is the medical term for high levels of uric acid in the body.
According to the Cleveland Clinic , uric acid is a waste product produced when the body breaks down chemicals called purines in food and drink. Most uric acid dissolves in the blood, passes through the kidneys, and is excreted in the urine. Hyperuricemia occurs when there is too much uric acid in the body.
High levels of uric acid in the blood cause uric acid to form sharp crystals. These crystals can deposit in joints and cause gout, a painful form of arthritis. They can also build up in the kidneys and form kidney stones.
High uric acid is easy to treat. You may need to make some changes to your daily routine (like adjusting your diet or drinking more water). Your doctor may also prescribe medication to lower your uric acid levels or treat any symptoms you’re experiencing.
To reduce uric acid in the blood, patients need to adjust their diet, drink plenty of water... (Photo: Shutterstock).
How common is high uric acid?
Hyperuricemia is very common. One in five people has hyperuricemia. About 5% of people in the United States have gout. Men are four times more likely to develop gout than women.
How does increased uric acid affect the body?
You may not notice that you have high uric acid, especially if your uric acid levels are only slightly elevated. But over time, the buildup of uric acid in your blood can lead to pain and other symptoms. It can also cause damage throughout your body.
Untreated high uric acid levels can eventually lead to permanent damage to bones, joints, tendons, and ligaments.
Research also shows a link between high uric acid levels and other health conditions, including kidney disease, heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, fatty liver disease, and metabolic syndrome.
What are the symptoms of high uric acid ?
High uric acid levels themselves usually do not cause symptoms. Most people do not know they have the condition until their uric acid levels are high enough to cause gout or kidney stones.
Symptoms of a gout attack in one of the joints include: Severe pain, discoloration or redness, stiffness, swelling, tenderness, even to light touch (like a bed sheet covering it), a feeling of heat in the joint.
Symptoms of kidney stones include: Pain in the lower back or side, nausea or vomiting due to pain, fever or chills, blood in the urine, pain when urinating, inability to urinate, feeling the need to urinate more often, urine that smells bad or looks cloudy.
What causes hyperuricemia?
Excess uric acid in the blood causes hyperuricemia.
Your body makes uric acid after breaking down purines. Purines occur naturally and are harmless in small amounts. But if you regularly eat foods high in purines, you can increase your uric acid levels over time.
Foods and drinks high in purines include:
- Red meat.
- Animal organs such as liver.
- Seafood (especially salmon, shrimp, lobster and sardines).
- Foods and beverages containing high fructose corn syrup.
- Alcohol (especially beer, including non-alcoholic beer).
Some medications can increase your uric acid levels as a side effect, including:
- Diuretics.
- Immunosuppressants.
Risk factors for hyperuricemia
Hyperuricemia can affect anyone. Certain groups of people are more likely to develop hyperuricemia, including those who:
- Male.
- Obese.
- Drink alcohol regularly.
- Regularly eat foods high in purines.
- Have a family member with hyperuricemia or gout.
- Hypothyroidism.
How is hyperuricemia diagnosed?
Your doctor will diagnose hyperuricemia with a blood test to measure the uric acid in your blood.
6 foods to eat to reduce uric acid
- Banana
If you suffer from gout due to high uric acid, bananas are one of the best fruits to reduce uric acid in the blood.
Bananas are very low in purine—a natural compound that breaks down into uric acid—making them a good choice for treating high uric acid. Research published in the journal Nutrients suggests the same.
- Apple
Apples are high in fiber. This helps you reduce uric acid levels. Fiber absorbs uric acid from the blood and removes excess uric acid from your body. Furthermore, apples are rich in malic acid, which neutralizes the effects of uric acid in the body.
- Cherry
According to Healthshots , cherries have a natural anti-inflammatory component called anthocyanin that helps control uric acid levels.
A study published in the journal Arthritis and Rheumatology found that people who ate cherries had a lower risk of gout attacks than those who didn’t. By reducing inflammation, cherries also prevent uric acid from crystallizing and depositing in your joints, a major cause of gout.
- Coffee
A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that participants who drank coffee had a reduced risk of gout. However, if you have other medical conditions, consult your doctor before adding coffee to your diet.
- Citrus fruits
Fruits like oranges and lemons are rich sources of vitamin C and citric acid. Including these foods in your daily diet can help you maintain healthy uric acid levels in your body, as they can effectively remove excess uric acid.
- Green tea
Some studies have shown that green tea extract can reduce uric acid production in the body, making it a good beverage for people with gout or high blood uric acid levels.
Drinking enough water, avoiding alcohol, drinking coffee and controlling weight are great tips to reduce uric acid.
Source: https://dantri.com.vn/suc-khoe/dau-hieu-canh-bao-ban-bi-axit-uric-cao-20250709104155038.htm
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