When your body begins the natural process of breaking down purines, which is a substance that is found within many kinds of food and human tissue, you will get a byproduct known as uric acid. This is usually dissolved in the blood, and moved through the kidneys into urine for elimination from the body. However, if the kidneys are unable to remove uric acid from your system, or if you consume a large amount of food that contain purines, then you might get a high buildup of uric acid, which promotes the development of uric acid crystals. This crystallized form of the substance will start to settle within the kidneys and form kidney stones, before settling into joints to cause an arthritic issue known as gout.
Symptoms of high uric acid can vary from one individual to the next, and often according to the severity of the condition. In fact, some people who suffer from high levels of uric acid don't actually experience any obvious symptoms at all. However, those who do will often experience one or a combination of the following.
Joint Symptoms:
When crystals made up of uric acid settle around the joints, they can lead to a significant problem known as gout. The symptoms associated with gout can range from inflammation and swelling, to pain, tenderness, and difficulty moving. Many people find that the joint is red in appearance, and can feel hot to the touch
Most often, the initial gout attacks that patients experience will appear suddenly during the night, and may present a significant issue when it comes to allowing individuals affected by this to continue with their everyday activities. Many initial gout attacks caused by a buildup of uric acid can happen within the big toe, according to the National Institute of Musculoskeletal Diseases and Arthritis. What's more, some of the other joints in the body that may be affected by gout, such as the knees, ankles, heels, elbows, fingers, and wrists. When issues of gout are just beginning, it's common to find symptoms in one specific joint at a time. Commonly, the intense pain that accompanies the symptoms of high uric acid in joints will last for around 12 to 24 hours. In severe cases, discomfort can linger for days or weeks. Without adequate treatment, uric acid in the joints can cause permanent and severe damage to the joint.
Other Symptoms of High Uric Acid:
Besides the most common symptoms of high uric acid in the joints, there are also many other signs that you are suffering from too much uric acid in your system. For instance, after a number of years suffering from ongoing gout attacks, you might find that crystals of uric acid start to form beneath the skin. These lumps are known as tophi and they are not always painful, but they can occur in a range of different locations, including the hands, elbows, fingers, and toes.
What's more, if uric acid crystals settle within the urinary tract, then can lead to kidney stones, although this is more common in men than women.