Uric acid is created when the body breaks down purines, which are chemicals found in the foods we eat, such as red meat, beans, seafood, and organ meat. The system excretes it through the urine. However, if there’s a high uric acid level in the blood, it turns into crystals that could deposit in different body parts. They often form in the kidney and joints, leading to gout and kidney stones. Gout is a painful inflammatory arthritis that may affect one joint at a time.
A high level of uric acid is called hyperuricemia. It may happen if there’s too much uric acid in the body or the system does not expel it properly. In most cases, there are no symptoms of hyperuricemia. However, when the situation progresses and turns into the diseases mentioned, you might experience signs that you have too much uric acid. So, kidney stones and gout symptoms could tell that you have hyperuricemia. However, since other factors may also cause them, the only way to determine the real reason is through tests from your doctor. Below are the possible symptoms of hyperuricemia.
Hypertension
According to research, people with a high uric acid level in their blood also tend to have high blood pressure. It applies to those who have gout, which is why blood pressure higher than normal could be a sign of hyperuricemia. Moreover, the DASH diet, which is a diet composed of low-fat dairy, whole grains, vegetables, and fruits designed to lower blood pressure, also lowers the uric acid level. It shows a possible association between the two. People with hypertension may experience breathing difficulties, headaches, and nosebleeds. Unfortunately, these symptoms don’t show until the blood pressure becomes really high.
Regular blood pressure screening must be done to detect the problem early on and get the right treatment. Visit your doctor at least once a year. There are also blood pressure monitoring machines that you can buy and use at home. If unmanaged, it could lead to other more serious problems, like stroke, heart failure, aneurysm, and kidney problems. In addition, too much salt in your food, lack of exercise, and smoking could increase the risk of hypertension.
