Uric acid cleanses organs of nitrogen compounds. It is a sodium salt that is part of the blood plasma and intercellular fluid. The content of urate salts in the blood reflects the balance of their synthesis and utilization.
Uric acid, the norm for women
Recently, gout, which was previously considered a purely male disease, has increasingly become diagnosed in women.
Uric acid is always present in a healthy body. The blood norm in women characterizes its approach to saturation, but with an increase in its percentage composition, urate salts begin to be deposited in our joints, subcutaneous layer and internal organs, causing the development of gout and arthrosis.
The maximum permissible blood levels in children under 14 years old are 0.12-0.32 mmol / L.
The rate of uric acid in women and men is different and is allowed from 0.21 to 0.32 in adult men and from 0.18 to 0.38 in women under 60 years of age. With age, due to changes in hormonal levels, these indicators increase.
After reaching 60 years, the norm of uric acid in the blood in women grows to 0.19-0.43 mmol / L.
Symptoms of excess uric acid
In addition to the test results, several factors can signal the development of the disease.
Children often suffer from diathesis, which is expressed by red spots on the cheeks.
In adults, plaque and stones form, specific granulomas appear
, joints become thicker and
pain, muscle weakness, and rapid fatigue appear.
The reasons for the increase in the content of salts of urate in the blood
An increase in the amount of uric acid usually occurs due to a weakening of its utilization by the kidneys or an excess of its production due to excessive content of purine-rich foods in the diet, which include fatty and salty meats, fish, caviar, tongue and liver, coffee, sorrel and others sour foods.
Diagnosis of the disease
Hyperuricemia can be a major symptom of gout. The initial stage of the disease often proceeds without visible manifestations, it can be diagnosed solely by the results of laboratory tests. To clarify the causes of the disease, it is recommended to additionally check the amount of urate salts in the urine.
The reasons for the growth of urate salts in the blood
Primary hyperuricemia is often congenital, associated with enzyme deficiency in the metabolism of purine bases, leading to increased production of uric acid.
The secondary form of the disease is caused by the following reasons:
• impaired renal function;
• psoriasis;
• damage to the liver and gall bladder;
• blood pathology (anemia, leukemia);
• uncontrolled drinking;
• intoxication with salts of heavy metals;
• chemotherapy;
• diet with excessive purine content or lack of nutrients, starvation;
• acute forms of infectious diseases;
• uncompensated diabetes.
Taking certain medications can also affect the change in the amount of uric acid in the blood.
There are cases of increased uric acid in pregnant women that cause toxicosis.
Do not forget that the norm and the increased content of uric acid in the blood are variable values for different groups according to age and level of physical activity.
So, in older women and athletes, the norm is usually higher. With the extinction of sexual functions and increased physical activity in the blood, uric acid increases, the norm for women in such cases is also considered higher.
The most common complications of hyperuricemia are the development of gout and chronic arthritis.
Treatment methods
After identifying the causes and consequences of the disease, one should proceed to its treatment. Often, a change in the content of uric acid signals the presence of pathological processes in the body.
In the initial stage of the disease, diets with a restriction in the diet of purine-containing foods can help. It is possible to use medicines to relieve inflammation and soreness of joints and muscles.
A high concentration of urates causes sand and even stones to form in the kidneys and bladder. In such cases, a strict diet and medications that delay their appearance and growth are used.
In urgent cases, when the stones cover the ureter, surgery is required.
When diet food does not help, the doctor prescribes drug therapy.
Traditionally, treatment with the drugs "Allopurinol", "Benzobromaron", "Sulfinpyrazone", "Colchicine" is offered. Very often after the use of drug treatment in the blood, uric acid decreases, the norm for women is brought into compliance.
Be sure to maintain the recommended values of sugar in the blood and urine to eliminate the risk of damage to the kidneys and blood vessels, which can lead to the development of gout and arthritis.
Dietary principles for reducing the concentration of urate salts
Excessive intake of protein foods often causes metabolic disturbances, uric acid increases. The blood norm in women is exceeded, and with insufficient kidney function, its salts begin to be deposited on the organs, in the vessels and under the skin.
To prevent excessive intake of uric acid in the blood, dietitians advise as much as possible to reduce in their diet fatty varieties of fish and seafood, red meats, offal and eggs. Low-fat chicken is allowed.
To maintain the acid-base balance, it is necessary to saturate the menu with vegetables, mostly fresh ones.
You should completely exclude marinades, legumes, alcoholic beverages, strong coffee and tea.
It is suggested to drink clean water and freshly squeezed juices.
Many women, seeking to lose weight, begin to use low-carb diets with increased protein content. Before using such diets, you must always consult a doctor and check the kidneys.
If you decide to reduce weight according to the recommendations of the Ducan, Kremlin or Protasov diet, try to comply with the drinking regimen.
Traditional medicine advises birch sap, decoctions of lingonberry and birch leaves and other decoctions, thanks to which uric acid is excreted from the body. The norm for women in drinking fluid is from 2.5 to 3 liters per day.
Decryption of test results
To detect the disease at the initial stage and prevent its development, it is necessary to regularly undergo preventive examinations with an extended blood test.
Exceeding the threshold of uric acid relative to the norms serves as a signal about the possibility of developing gout, the formation of stones in the bladder, blood diseases, and renal failure.
It may turn out to be a temporary change, indicating toxicosis during pregnancy, excessive physical exertion, increased protein intake.
A decrease in the number (hypuricemia) occurs with Wilson-Konovalov disease and Fanconi syndrome, with a lack of nucleic acids in the diet.
The most complete decoding of the results of the examination and the appointment of a course of treatment should be performed only by a specialist.