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THE BEAN:
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 To understand uric acid, we must first understand where it comes from. Uric acid is a waste product from the body processing purine. Purine is a naturally occurring compound found mainly in meat products like beef, fish, and poultry. If you have a diet that consists of a large quantity of foods that are purine-rich, you are more likely to have high uric acid levels in your blood. With healthy kidneys, this generally is not a problem. However, high uric acid can lead to some painful problems down the line, like gout and kidney stones.
Common Foods High in Purine:
Gout is a complex form of arthritis caused by the development of uric acid crystals due to high levels of uric acid in the blood. These crystals settle in the joints, commonly the big toe. The settlements can cause gout attacks, or flare-ups, of discomfort, pain, swelling/inflammation, and discoloration of the joint. Gout attacks can last 1-2 weeks, but may last longer depending on treatment and severity. Kidney Stones Uric acid kidney stones form when there is too much uric acid present in the urine and/or when the urine is too acidic on a regular basis. Once these kidney stones form, some may pass on their own, but others may require intervention from urology. Symptoms can include: Severe pain in the sides/lowerback, flank or stomach pain, fever, nausea/vomiting, urine that smells or looks cloudy, or blood in the urine. Prevention and Treatment Preventing uric acid build-up can be as simple as being mindful of your consumption of the purine-rich foods listed above. Prevention can also include weight management to reduce the risk of kidney stones. If dietary changes are not sufficient, there are medications that can be prescribed that can help lower the uric acid as well. If you have kidney diseases, please consult a nephrologist for treatment options. As always, life is about balance and enjoying everything in moderation. If you have concerns about your uric acid levels, contact our office today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Munjal. Stay safe and healthy! References: https://www.kidney.org/uric-acid-stones#:~:text=A%20uric%20acid%20stone%20is,smells%20bad%20or%20looks%20cloudy Comments are closed.
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