Hyperuricemia and Damage to the Kidneys

Hyperuricemia is a level of uric acid in the blood that is abnormally high. Uric acid is metabolic product of purine. 80% purine is produced from decomposition of endogenous nucleic acid, and 20% comes from food sources. When serum uric acid exceeds its saturation level, it will be separated out in the form of crystals. The crystals may deposit on tissues, activating inflammations and causing diseases. Uric acid crystal deposition on joints may cause repeated inflammatory disease. Accumulation of uric acid on the kidneys will cause Hyperuricemia Nephropathy.

Hyperuricemia is known as metabolism related disease. Unhealthy eating habits—heavy intake of purine content products can also be inducing cause of hyperuricemia. Limiting foods that are high purine or uric acid foods and eliminating them all together during an attack of gout can reduce your symptoms and reduce chances of repeating the condition. This mainly includes:

Meat products: organ meats such as sweetbreads, kidneys, brains or livers are high in uric acid. Pork and lamb are high in purines that create uric acid. Bacon is extremely high in uric acid so it should be avoided. Chicken, duck and vensions are also rich purine products.

Seafood: heavy oil fish like sardine, trout, tuna and anchovy are high in uric acid. Other types including Herring, scallops, cod, tooth haritail and trepan also have high uric acid. Eating these products will aggravate hyperuricemia in bloodstream.

Alcohol. Alcohol addiction is likely to induce gout. Metabolism of alcohol in liver tissues will absorb heavy water, thus intensifying blood concentration and speeding up the process of uric acid in entering tissues and causing inflammations. Alcohol should be limited to reduce risks of hyperuricemia.

Hyperuricemia and damage to the kidneys

Hyperuricemia may damage the kidneys in any of the following ways:

●Acute Hyperuricemia Nephropathy

●Chronic Hyperuricemia Nephropathy

●Causing kidney stones

Acute Hyperuricemia Nephropathy is caused by heavy accumulation of uric acids on renal collecting duct, renal pelvis and ureter. This will cause acute kidney failure, clinical presentation of which include rapid reduction of kidney function in short period of time and occurrence of a series of clinical symptoms like vomiting, nausea, high creatinine, weakness, excessive urination, etc.

Chronic Hyperuricemic Nephropathy is also known as Gouty Nephropathy. Unlike the acute type, onset of Chronic Hyperuricemia Nephropathy is often hidden and kidney function may have obviously reduced when symptoms occur.

Hyperuricemic kidney stone is another form of kidney damage caused by hyperuricemia. Small kidney stones can be passed out through urine. However, severe big kidney stones can cause urinary tract obstructions, thus resulting in renal colic, hematuria, secondary infections or Pyelonephritis.

Treatment for hyperuricemic kidney disease includes management of high uric acid and repairing damage to the kidneys. The kidneys should be well protected from hyperuricemia by careful daily nursing care and timely treatment.