There is a lack of awareness and many myths related to high uric acid levels in blood. My aim here is to remove common misconceptions related to uric acid and diseases associated with high uric acid. Through this article, I am explaining what needs to be done if you have high uric acid.
What can happen if one has persistent high uric acid?
If a person has persistent high uric acid, one of the following scenarios may develop -
Who is more likely to get Gout(uric acid related arthritis)
What diet modifications are needed?
There are lot of misconceptions regarding diet restrictions in setting of high uric acid. Red meat, seafood, artificially sweetened juices, soda drinks and excessive alcohol intake should be avoided. Vegetarian sources of proteins like pulses, gram and peas can be safely taken. In short any vegetarian diet can be taken without change. Increasing milk and milk products inthe diet may actually help decrease blood uric acid.Since obesity is a risk factor of having high uric acid so weight reduction will definitely help.
Does high uric acid without symptoms require treatment?
This again is a common myth among people and many doctors too. Asymptomatic high uric acid doesn’t warrant treatment. Lifestyle and diet modifications, weight loss, good control of diabetes and hypertension along with close follow up is the appropriate approach. As per current guidelines starting uric acid lowering therapy is not justified only for high uric acid without any symptoms.
When is treatment required?
What if gouty arthritis is not treated?
In the absence of appropriate treatment and care, over months to years, uric acid crystals get deposited in joints and can cause irreversible damage.
To summarize I would conclude by saying that do not self-medicate with uric acid lowering medicines. Always consult a doctor preferably a rheumatologist, who are trained in treatment of arthritis and related diseases.
