We all want to have good health. That is why year after year, many medical examinations are carried out and visits to the doctor.
Among the things that should not be neglected is uric acid. What is it about? How can you know when there is more than it should? How can it be controlled? Let’s quickly see the answers to these and other questions.
What is uric acid?
Uric acid is a compound with oxygen, carbon, hydrogen, and nitrogen components. This composition is produced in different body parts, such as the muscles, liver, kidneys, and others.
It can be found in urine and feces, as that is how the body gets rid of it. Sure, the amount present in the body is always tiny under normal conditions.
What is the average uric acid level?
The best way to know if the amount of uric acid in the body exceeds average values is through a medical examination. The results of this will reveal if the levels are okay or not. The average amount varies depending on whether you are a man or a woman.
Uric acid should be between 3.6 and 6.5 milligrams per deciliter for men. And in the case of women, the average amount is between 2.5 and 6.5 mg/dl. The amount present in one person or another can be very different, but there is nothing to worry about if they are in the mentioned range.
Symptoms of high uric acid
If you have high uric acid, it is normal for specific symptoms to appear that reveal it. But, as we can see in the following list, they are not pleasant. So let’s see how they affect different parts of the body.
pains
The pain is present in the different joints, especially the toes, specifically in the big toe. In addition, severe pain can be felt in the abdomen area and the crotch.
Among the most characteristic pains suffered by having very high uric acid is the intense sting when urinating.
Urine color and odor
The urine condition is one of the most evident signs that uric acid is elevated. In addition to the pain when urinating that we mentioned earlier, the urine takes on a dark color, even with blood. And the smell of this is powerful and unpleasant.
skin color and temperature
The skin is also greatly affected if uric acid levels rise too high. This occurs in the skin that covers the joints or their vicinity. You can see the reddish or shiny color in this area and a very high temperature compared to the skin that covers the rest of the body.
General discomfort
Since raising uric acid affects different body processes, it is customary to suffer many discomforts. For example, having the constant need to urinate and nausea and vomiting accompanied by a feeling of exhaustion.
Other symptoms
In addition to those already mentioned, some people also suffer from weight loss and other symptoms related to the lack of sugar in the body, such as tremors or excessive sweating.
Why control uric acid levels?
As we have seen so far, an increase in uric acid levels is accompanied by a series of symptoms that can considerably affect health, even affecting it to such a degree that it is almost impossible to have a daily routine, be it work or study.
Unfortunately, the conditions of a person with a very high uric acid level could be worse. It can also cause diabetes.
Since it is clear that no person wants to suffer from these and other related difficulties, it is best to keep the amount of uric acid in the body under control. This is accomplished by adopting a low-fat diet, among other measures.
How to lower uric acid?
If uric acid levels are very high, it is time to get to work to correct this problem as soon as possible. How to do it? A straightforward way is to drink a lot of water during the day. It is recommended to drink up to 2 liters of water.
Another key is to eat foods that contribute to achieving that goal. So let’s see what they are.
meats
Whether it is meat or fish, they must be chosen well. None of those that contain too much fat should be eaten. White meat, such as chicken, is ideal for lowering uric acid. But, of course, it must be consumed in combination with other foods.
Fruit
Fruits contain many natural nutrients that help regulate the amount of uric acid. Above all, citrus fruits, such as orange or lemon, should be consumed. All of them have many antioxidants that quickly and naturally eliminate excess uric acid.
Vegetables
Any green leafy vegetable is another option to lower the body’s uric acid levels. Provide a lot of water to the body, which helps carry out a complete purification.
Dairy products
Although it is possible to consume milk and its derivatives, it is better to choose low-fat options. This is because whole milk contains a lot of fat, which is one thing to avoid in this case.
