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It does not hurt, it may have no symptoms, it develops imperceptibly and quickly, and at the same time leads to serious complications. Hyperuricemia is a difficult opponent because we often find out about it too late. Meanwhile, in order to avoid it, it is enough to regularly test uric acid in the blood serum.
Hyperuricemia – what is it exactly?
Hyperuricemia is elevated levels of uric acid in the blood. We talk about it when this value reaches 6 mg / dl for healthy women and 7 mg / dl for healthy men. In people with an increased cardiovascular risk, a level of 5 mg / dl is considered to be too high in uric acid in the blood. Hyperuricemia is an increasingly common problem that affects 27 million people in Europe alone.
The determination of uric acid is done by a simple blood test that should be done once a year (unless your doctor tells you otherwise).
It is a good idea to do the first blood test for hyperuricemia after the age of 40. In turn, people from the risk group should start diagnostics 10 years earlier.
What happens when uric acid levels are above normal?
Hyperuricemia is not painful and may be asymptomatic. And this is what is most dangerous about it: untreated hyperuricemia is a significant contributor to the development of many serious diseases.
Elevated levels of uric acid in the blood lead to the formation of urate crystals in the joints, which causes inflammation in the joints and in the connective tissue. If a patient is not treated properly, he or she may develop gout in 5-10 years (about 36% of people suffering from hyperuricemia) and the risk of developing chronic kidney disease increases.
Hyperuricemia is also closely related to cardiovascular diseases, contributing to the development of arterial hypertension, heart failure, atherosclerosis and obstructive sleep apnea. Therefore, it can lead to a heart attack or stroke. This relationship works in two ways – patients with cardiovascular diseases are at increased risk of elevated levels of uric acid in the blood.
Hyperuricemia – prevention is better than cure
Hyperuricemia may or may not be fatal! Early detection of the problem allows you to minimize the potential risk and prevent serious complications. The most important thing is proper diagnosis: one serum uric acid test – once a year.
Especially now it is worth getting tested now: as part of the Prevention 40+ program, by the end of this year, every citizen who has reached the appropriate age may undergo the examination without additional referral.
If you started the diagnosis too late and the test showed elevated uric acid levels – remember that the sooner you start treatment, the better. The treatment of hyperuricemia is primarily based on the effective reduction of its level through the use of pharmacotherapy and following your doctor’s recommendations, including, among others: the use of an appropriate diet. Avoid foods rich in purines, such as meat, offal, seafood, and fructose: sweets, sweet drinks, and eliminate alcohol. However, low-fat dairy products, eggs, vegetables and grains are recommended. You should also drink up to 3 liters of water a day. The sooner it is treated, the less damage the hyperuricemia will do to the body.
Remember! Regular uric acid testing is essential, and early detection of hyperuricemia reduces the risk of complications. More information, as well as tips, advice and free consultations with a dietitian can be found on the website of the nationwide educational campaign We Reduce Uric Acid: www.facebook.com/obnizamykwasmoczowy