Uric acid
Uric acid, also known as uric acid and its chemical form, is C5H4N4O3, a chemical compound that is naturally present in the body. It is the final product of the metabolism of the Purine group in humans. This acid is composed of elements of carbon, oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen, and is produced by the liver into the blood, while the kidney is transferred to the urine.
In some foods rich in protein, such as red meat and its products from liver, kidney, etc., it is found in the meat of birds such as chickens, cereals and legumes (such as lentils, oats, chickpeas and beans), and some seafood such as sardines, mackerel and other fish Oysters and shrimp, alcohol may have a dangerous role in raising the proportion of uric acid as well.
Production of uric acid
Uric acid is one of the natural acids that are present in the human body and other organisms, which is composed of elements of carbon, oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen. Uric acid is produced by the metabolism of proteins and some types of food containing purine. This acid is transferred from the liver to the kidneys through the blood to be filtered there. It is produced with urine products because the body does not benefit from it. It becomes difficult in a natural way.
Normal level of uric acid
The normal rate of uric acid in females is 2.4-6.0 mg / dl, while in males it is 3.4 to 7.0 mg / dl. The rate is slightly different from one person to another. When the natural proportion of human uric acid is different, Different health may be infected, and must be especially cautious of high blood rate, because of the many pathological effects.
Statistics indicate that about one in five people have high levels of uric acid, and may be related to the attacks of gout or kidney stones that occur for these patients later, but most people with high levels of uric acid have no symptoms or related problems With these diseases.
High uric acid risk
The high levels of uric acid above the normal blood level lead to health problems, so that the kidneys can not be eliminated. The kidney stone is also affected. It also causes diseases such as diabetes, cancer and bone diseases. – especially the joints of the toes – and is deposited there causing arthritis and severe pain in them, causing gout. Gout is known as the disease of kings or the disease of the rich, and because it often affects the class of people who are physically comfortable, as they eat meat in abundance.
Lower levels of uric acid below normal range are a health problem with many causes, often kidney or liver disease causing uric acid loss, and may indicate any of the following health problems:
- Consumption of a lot of alcohol.
- Fanconi syndrome: kidney disease.
- Wilson’s disease is a genetic disease that causes copper build-up in the body.
- This decrease may indicate that a person is following a low-purine diet.
Causes of high uric acid
There are several factors that may lead to the problem of high uric level in the blood, including:
- Obesity, lack of activity and movement.
- Insulin resistance: the failure of cells to respond to insulin.
- Hypothyroidism.
- Kidney failure or renal failure, due to lack of mechanism of filtration of the body.
- Ignore high blood pressure or not take necessary treatment.
- Alcoholic beverages.
- Treatment of drugs that cause urinary incontinence.
- Eat foods rich in purine compounds such as liver, kidney and red meat.
- Genetic factors.
Symptoms of uric acid increase
There are certain symptoms of increased uric acid in the blood; where many of the disorders that are attributed in certain cases to the high proportion of uric acid too much, the most important of these symptoms are as follows:
- Joint pain: Severe pain or inflammation of a joint, such as an elbow, knee or foot, and when neglected, can lead to high blood pressure followed by crystals around the joints.
- Dyslipidemia: High cholesterol and fat in the blood stream above the normal level.
- High blood sugar (Dysglycemia): It is higher than the normal level, and may lead to various diseases or health disorders.
- Concentrated obesity: It is a state of fat accumulation in certain areas of the body, such as the abdomen, called colloidal.
- Low blood pressure: so that it reaches levels that may be hazardous to health.
Besides feeling pain in the joints (especially in the toes) it is necessary to go to the doctor immediately if the person senses some of these symptoms:
- Shortness of breath, chest pain or discomfort.
- Heart palpitations quickly.
- The bleeding does not stop after a few minutes.
- Rash on the skin – especially with the beginning of the use of any new drugs.
- Any signs of obstruction in the ureter, such as frequent urination and in few quantities at a time, or urine obstruction, or the appearance of blood in it, and other problems to remove it.
Treat high uric acid
Treatment with uric acid may be given by drugs that prevent the absorption of uric acid, such as propenecid, or drugs that inhibit the production of such acid, or which help to remove it from the body and remove it, such as: Allupurinol (Allupurinol) , And Sulfinpyrazone (Sulfinpyrazone).
The increase in uric acid can also be treated by low-health foods in purines, which contribute to diuretics (lettuce, carrots, onions, tomatoes, cucumbers, cabbage and watermelon). , And get rid of excess salts. It is also possible to drink the diuretic herbs as a boiled drink (parsley, anise, cinnamon, mint, cumin and barley), and keep away from drinks that cause drought such as tea, coffee and alcohol.