Uric Acid and Joint Problems
There is lack of awareness and many wrong concepts regarding uric acid and joint problems. This article is looking forward to increase awareness regarding this topic in general public and doctors.
The only joint problem related to high blood uric acid level is “Gout”
Symptoms of Gout are episodes of severe pain, redness and swelling at the base of great toe (Image). It can involve different joints in foot and occasionally ankles and knees. The episode starts with severe pain in great toe base that increases rapidly within first 12-hours to maximum intensity. Pain and swelling than subsides gradually over a week or two, leaving behind almost normal joint.
In addition to joint problems, high uric acid has been related to kidney stones and high blood pressure.
Uric acid related joint problems are not seen in young women and does not cause mild joint pain. Uric acid cannot lead to continuous joint pain and swelling for months (>45 days). Mild pain at the base with gradual outward deviation of great toe over months to years is not due to high uric acid. Uric acid does not cause whole body pain. Uric acid also does not lead to lower back-pain.
Your doctor will diagnose gout based on your symptoms mentioned above and examination of joints. He may require X-rays, ultrasound and sometime joint fluid aspiration to confirm the diagnosis. Blood uric acid level is not necessary to diagnose Gout.
Treatment has two parts. It starts with rest, ice-pack application and use of painkillers to control the pain and swelling of the joint involved. Later in some patients medicines to decrease blood uric acid level below <6mg/dl are required. This medicines to lower uric acid levels once started needs to be taken regularly and will prevent further episodes of joint pain. Lifestyle changes like weight reduction, avoiding alcohol, taking water enough to avoid dehydrations also help to control gout.
No, there is no need to treat high uric acid levels that is not causing above joint problem or kidney stones.
There is a wrong concept among doctors and public, that Gout patients should not take vegetarian protein diet for example pulses and whole grains. Uric acid and arthritis has nothing to do with high protein diet. Uric acid is the end product of purine metabolism and not protein.
Non-vegetarian diet for example red meat, liver and kidney, artificially sweetened soda drinks and excessive alcohol intake. Most of the western literature recommends taking more of vegetarian sources of proteins, as they are low in purine. Increasing milk and milk products in diet decreases blood uric acid.
In the absence of appropriate treatment and care, over months to years uric acid crystals get deposited in joints and can damage them forever. They can also get deposited below skin leading to multiple swellings in the body, medically termed as Tophaceous Gout.
We’ve got your back
Donec laoreet massa ut sapien pharetra varius. Vivamus ut hendrerit lacus. Aenean ac quam sem. Praesent tortor felis, ultrices nec urna ut, euismod auctor urna. Proin cursus efficitur turpis, ac fermentum arcu tempus at..
