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What are the factors that can increase the levels of uric acid?
- Published: May 23, 2023
Average read time: 2 minutes
While it is natural for everyone to have uric acid in their body, complications can occur when there is an excessive amount of uric acid, a condition known as hyperuricemia. This condition raises the risk of developing gout1.
High level of uric acid will precipitate as solid crystals and these crystals tend to accumulate more in an acidic environment1.
When uric acid crystals form in the joints, it can be extremely painful, causing what’s called a gout attack1. The most common place for this to happen is in the big toe, but gout can also affect many other joints in the body1.
Some of the risk factors that can increase the levels of uric acid includes2:
High level of uric acid will precipitate as solid crystals and these crystals tend to accumulate more in an acidic environment1.
When uric acid crystals form in the joints, it can be extremely painful, causing what’s called a gout attack1. The most common place for this to happen is in the big toe, but gout can also affect many other joints in the body1.
Some of the risk factors that can increase the levels of uric acid includes2:
Middle-aged men or postmenopausal women
People who drink alcoholic beverages excessively
Certain medications may increase the levels of uric acid.
Please check with your doctors on your medications.
People with hypertension, kidney disease, thyroid
disease, diabetes, or sleep apnoea, which can make it
harder for the body to eliminate excess uric acid
High consumption of purine-rich foods, such as organ meats
and red meats
High levels of uric acid can be attributed to these risk factors, as they can lead to an increase in the production of uric acid, a decrease in the excretion of uric acid, or a combination of both processes1
References:
- George C and Minter DA. Hyperuricemia. StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023.
- Gout: Symptoms, Causes & Treatments [Internet]. Healthline [cited 5 May 2023]. Available from: https://www.healthline.com/health/gout#causes
MAL2288366 NOV 2023
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