7 early signs of high uric acid in the body

High uric acid, also called hyperuricemia, is seen on the rise in many young adult these days. This happens when your body either produces too much uric acid or does not eliminate enough through urine. High uric acid levels in the body is often overlooked or goes unnoticed until it is too late. Constant high levels of uric acid in the body can lead to painful conditions like gout, kidney stones, and even joint or kidney damage in the long run.

For those who don't know, uric acid is produced in the body as a byproduct of breaking down purines. It is often found in certain foods and drinks like red meat, seafood, and alcohol. And so, early detection to high uric acid levels in the body is key to managing and preventing complications in the near future. Unfortunately, most people don’t notice certain early signs of high uric acid in the body until the condition worsens. To help you detect them, here we list some such signs to watch out for:

One of the earliest and most common signs of high uric acid in the body is sudden and intense joint pain-- this is often seen in the big toe. This sudden joint pain is a classic sign of gout. The pain is generally sudden, sharp, can occur at night, and may be accompanied with redness, swelling, or tenderness. This happens when uric acid crystals deposit in the joints, thus causing inflammation in the body. While this generally affects the toe, sudden joint pain can also happen in our parts of the body like in ankles, knees, or fingers. If you’ve never had joint issues before and suddenly experience such pain, it’s worth getting your uric acid levels checked and consulting your doctor.

This is another classic sign of Gout flare-ups. Even if you don’t feel severe pain, even mild swelling, warmth, or redness around a joint in the body can be an indicator of uric acid buildup. This is an early inflammatory response before a full-blown gout. The joint may feel stiff or appear shiny due to the inflammation.

Are you feeling unusually tired or weak for no apparent reason? This can sometimes be due to hgh uric acid levels in the body as chronic inflammation in the body, due to uric acid crystal deposits, can sap your energy and slow you down. If you’re constantly exhausted, even after sleeping for 7-8 hours, and also experience joint discomfort then your fatigue might be linked to your metabolic health, including uric acid imbalance in the body. Do get your medical checkup done to know the underlying health issue for it.

An increase in urination frequency, especially at night, can be a sign of your kidneys working a bit too hard to eliminate the excess uric acid in the body. If it is accompanied with cloudy, foul-smelling, darker urine or even blood, then it might suggest high uric acid levels in the body. Do not ignore this crucial sign as it can lead to more serious kidney issues in the future.

High uric acid can also cause stiffness or dull muscle pain, particularly in the morning. This is generally not a localised muscle stiffness or as intense as joint pain, but it can reduce flexibility and make daily movements difficult. This is a your body’s subtle sign of inflammation. If you notice this type of muscle stiffness along with other symptoms then do not ignore them. Get your medical tests done and consult your doctor.

In some cases, uric acid crystals near the skin’s surface can lead to peeling, itchiness, or flaking, especially around the joints. People who have chronic gout issues may even develop tophi— which are hard, visible lumps under the skin. This usually happens in more advanced cases; whereas, dry, irritated skin over joints is an early sign of high uric acid levels in the body.

If you observe these signs, especially when its accompanied by other symptoms, it is important to consult a doctor.

A slight fever along with discomfort is also a subtle sign of high uric acid- this is mainly due to inflammation. Though low-grade, such mild fevers are often accompanied with joint flare-ups or internal inflammation and they are triggered by uric acid buildup in the body. If you’re feeling under the weather but can’t pinpoint a cause like infection or flu, consider checking your uric acid levels and consulting your doctor.

Take care of these to stay healthy and happy

Your body naturally produces uric acid when it breaks down substances called purines. While purines aren’t harmful in small amounts, consistently eating foods high in purines, like red meat, organ meats, certain seafood, alcohol, and sugary drinks, can gradually increase uric acid levels, potentially leading to gout or kidney issues. Here's a look at which foods to be mindful of.

Take care of your health to prevent Uric acid formation

Stick to a diet rich in low-fat dairy products, fruits, cherries, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds, coffee, among others. Avoid processed food and too much sugar.