It is possible to measure levels of uric acid through a simple blood test. Generally speaking, the kidneys filter out this acid and then pass it through urine and stool. However, sometimes, uric levels are so high that the kidneys can't cope with them anymore. This can lead to crystal formation on the joints, a very painful condition known as gout. So how do you know if your uric acid is high?
The basic answer to the previous question is through the use of uric blood tests. These tests allow physicians to determine how high your uric acid levels are. This can help to diagnose gout and kidney stones. It can also help to determine whether your body is responding to any treatment.
The Dangers of High Uric Acid:
It is very important that you learn the answer to the question on how do you know if your uric acid is high, because high concentrations are actually quite dangerous. Gout episodes are incredibly painful, and they can cause permanent damage to your joints. Kidney damage is also possible, particularly through the presence of kidney stones. Additionally, if you have had one gout attack, it is likely that you will have more, unless you make significant changes to your diet.
Treating High Uric Acid:
People who have gout are often prescribed painkillers such as corticosteroids, colchicines, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Additionally, they may be prescribed allupurinol or probenecid to help lower their level of uric acid. These latter treatments are incredibly effective and usually work within just a week. However, while they do lower your current levels of uric acid, they do not stop them from rising again once you stop taking the medication. Additionally, the painkillers do not lower uric acid levels, they only provide you with relief from the pain.
Unfortunately, the drugs to lower levels of uric acid also come with side effects. These include stomach ulcers, bleeding, stomach cramps, headaches, vomiting, and nausea. Furthermore, they are expensive drugs as well. As a result, most people look for different types of treatment, and one form of treatment that has been shown to be particularly effective is using natural remedies instead.
Natural Remedies to Lower Levels of Uric Acid and Avoid Gout:
After you have answered the question on how do you know if your uric acid is high, it is important to look at the natural remedies that can help you lower your levels of uric acid and avoid gout. This starts by understanding what the causes of high uric acid levels actually are, and learning to avoid them. As such, the most important tips are:
1. Change your diet by removing yeast, legumes, dried peas, shellfish, offal, and fatty red meat, which are all high in purine.
2. No longer drink any alcohol, particularly beer.
3. Increase your intake of fruits with anti-inflammatory properties such as blueberries, strawberries, and cherries.
4. Increase your intake of leafy green vegetables like celery, as these actively fight uric acid.
5. Add herbs like burdoch and alfalfa to your diet, as these neutralize uric acid.
6. Drink at least 12 eight ounce glasses of water every day to make sure the excess uric acid can be flushed out of the system.