Usually, uric acid is dissolved in the blood and excreted through the kidneys. However, when the body produces too much or the ability to excrete is reduced, the uric acid concentration in the blood will increase.
This condition may not cause symptoms from the beginning, but if prolonged, it will lead to many manifestations and complications affecting health.
The most common manifestation of high uric acid is joint pain caused by gout. Patients often feel severe pain, swelling, heat and redness in one or more joints, especially the big toe joint.
The pain often appears suddenly at night or early morning, making walking and living difficult. If not treated promptly, the pain can recur many times and spread to other joints such as the ankle, knee, wrist, or elbow.
In addition to symptoms in the joints, people with high uric acid levels may also develop tophi particles. These are deposits of urate crystals under the skin, commonly found in the earlobe, elbows, fingers, or toes. Initially, these particles are painless, but when they grow large, they can deform the joints, limit movement, and increase the risk of infection.
High uric acid can also affect the kidneys. Some people experience symptoms of lower back pain, painful urination, bloody urine, or kidney stones due to urate crystallization. In prolonged cases, kidney function may decline, increasing the risk of chronic kidney disease.
It is noteworthy that many people with high uric acid do not have clear symptoms for a long time. Therefore, regular health check-ups, combined with a healthy diet, limiting purine-rich foods, drinking enough water, maintaining a reasonable weight and exercising regularly are important measures to help control uric acid levels and prevent dangerous complications.
When suspected symptoms appear, patients should go to a medical facility for examination and timely treatment.
