URIC ACID OR HYPERURICEMIA AND HOMEOPATHY
Written by
Dr. Deepak Sharma
BHMS, MD, Ph.D. (Scholar)
Homeopathic Physician and Educator
Founder – Orbit Clinics
Introduction:
Uric acid is a natural waste product of the body’s metabolism, which is excreted through the kidneys. However, when the body produces too much uric acid or cannot eliminate it properly, it can lead to a condition called hyperuricemia, which is characterized by elevated levels of uric acid in the blood.
Hyperuricemia is a common medical condition, and it affects millions of people worldwide. It is a significant risk factor for the development of gout, a painful and potentially debilitating form of arthritis. Hyperuricemia is also associated with other medical conditions, including kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic syndrome.
Causes of High Uric Acid:
Several factors can cause hyperuricemia, including:
- Genetics: Some people have a genetic predisposition to hyperuricemia, which means they are more likely to develop the condition than others.
- Diet: Foods that are high in purines, such as red meat, seafood, and organ meats, can increase uric acid levels in the blood. High-fructose corn syrup, found in many processed foods and sugary drinks, can also contribute to hyperuricemia.
- Alcohol consumption: Drinking alcohol, especially beer, can increase uric acid levels in the blood.
- Obesity: Being overweight or obese increases the risk of hyperuricemia as excess body weight can lead to insulin resistance, which can cause the body to produce more uric acid.
- Medications: Some medications can also cause hyperuricemia, including diuretics (water pills), aspirin, and some chemotherapy drugs.
Risk Factors for High Uric Acid:
Several factors increase the risk of developing hyperuricemia, including:
- Age: Uric acid levels tend to increase with age.
- Gender: Men are more likely to develop hyperuricemia than women, and they are more likely to develop gout.
- Family history: Having a family history of hyperuricemia or gout increases the risk of developing the condition.
- Medical conditions: Certain medical conditions, such as kidney disease, hypertension, and metabolic syndrome, increase the risk of hyperuricemia.
- Lifestyle factors: Poor diet, sedentary lifestyle, and excessive alcohol consumption can increase the risk of developing hyperuricemia.
Pathogenesis of High Uric Acid:
The pathogenesis of hyperuricemia involves the overproduction of uric acid or the underexcretion of uric acid by the kidneys. When uric acid levels in the blood become too high, it can form crystals that deposit in the joints, leading to inflammation and pain. These crystals can also form in the kidneys, leading to the formation of kidney stones.
Hyperuricemia is often associated with other medical conditions, including metabolic syndrome, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease. It is thought that the chronic inflammation associated with these conditions can increase the production of uric acid, leading to hyperuricemia.
Symptoms of High Uric Acid:
Hyperuricemia itself does not usually cause any symptoms. However, if uric acid levels in the blood remain high for an extended period, it can lead to the development of gout. Gout is characterized by sudden, severe pain in the joints, often in the big toe. The affected joint may also be swollen, red, and tender to the touch.
If uric acid crystals form in the kidneys, it can lead to the formation of kidney stones. Kidney stones can cause severe pain in the lower back or side, and they may also cause nausea, vomiting, and difficulty urinating.
It is important to manage your diet, exercise, and do yoga regularly to manage your high uric acid levels and prevent the onset of gout. In this article, we will discuss diet management, exercises, and yoga to manage high uric acid levels.
Diet Management:
Diet management is crucial in managing high uric acid levels. Here are some dietary changes you can make to lower your uric acid levels:
- Avoid high-purine foods: Purine is a compound found in certain foods that the body breaks down into uric acid. Therefore, avoiding high-purine foods can help lower your uric acid levels. Foods high in purines include red meat, organ meats, seafood, and some types of vegetables like asparagus, mushrooms, and spinach.
- Limit alcohol intake: Alcohol can increase uric acid levels in the body. Therefore, it is essential to limit or avoid alcohol consumption, particularly beer and wine.
- Drink plenty of water: Drinking enough water can help flush out uric acid from the body. Drinking at least eight glasses of water a day can help maintain healthy uric acid levels.
- Eat a balanced diet: Eating a balanced diet that is rich in whole grains, fruits, and vegetables can help maintain healthy uric acid levels.
Exercises:
Regular exercise is essential for managing high uric acid levels. Here are some exercises you can do to prevent the onset of gout:
- Low-impact exercises: Low-impact exercises like walking, cycling, swimming, and yoga can help manage high uric acid levels. These exercises help maintain joint flexibility and reduce inflammation.
- Strength training: Strength training can help build muscle mass, which helps reduce the risk of gout. Strength training exercises can include weightlifting, resistance band training, and bodyweight exercises.
- Stretching: Stretching exercises can help improve joint flexibility and reduce inflammation. Stretching exercises can include hamstring stretches, quadriceps stretches, and calf stretches.
Yoga:
Yoga is a mind-body practice that can help manage high uric acid levels. Here are some yoga poses that can help reduce inflammation and improve joint flexibility:
- Downward-facing dog: This pose helps stretch the calves, hamstrings, and lower back. It also improves blood circulation, which helps flush out uric acid from the body.
- Warrior I: This pose helps stretch the hips, groin, and shoulders. It also helps improve balance and stability.
- Triangle pose: This pose helps stretch the hamstrings, hips, and chest. It also helps improve balance and concentration.
- Cat-cow stretch: This pose helps stretch the spine and improve flexibility. It also helps improve digestion and reduce stress.
- Child’s pose: This pose helps stretch the hips, thighs, and ankles. It also helps reduce stress and improve relaxation.
Homeopathy:
Homeopathy offers several remedies for high uric acid levels. Here are 20 homeopathic medicines in detail:
- Colchicum: This remedy is useful when there is severe pain in the joints, especially in the big toe, which is a classic symptom of gout. The joint is red, swollen, and hot to the touch.
- Ledum: This remedy is useful for gout when the joints are swollen, but not hot to the touch. The pain is worse from heat and better from cold.
- Benzoic acid: This remedy is useful when there is a strong smell of urine, which is common in people with high uric acid levels. The joints may be swollen and painful, and the pain is worse from touch.
- Lycopodium: This remedy is useful when the pain is worse on the right side of the body, and there is a lot of bloating and gas in the abdomen.
- Nux vomica: This remedy is useful when there is a lot of indigestion and constipation, and the pain is worse in the morning.
- Rhododendron: This remedy is useful when the pain is worse in bad weather, especially before a storm.
- Berberis vulgaris: This remedy is useful when there is pain in the back, especially the lower back, and the urine is dark and cloudy.
- Urtica urens: This remedy is useful when there is burning pain in the joints, especially the wrists and ankles.
- Pulsatilla: This remedy is useful when the pain is worse at night and the person feels better with open air and mild exercise.
- Calcarea fluorica: This remedy is useful when there are calcium deposits in the joints, which can occur with high uric acid levels.
- Sepia: This remedy is useful when there is a lot of fatigue and the person feels better with exercise.
- Sulphur: This remedy is useful when the skin is dry and itchy, and the person feels hot and uncomfortable.
- Natrum muriaticum: This remedy is useful when the person is emotionally sensitive and prone to depression.
- Rhus toxicodendron: This remedy is useful when the pain is worse in the morning and better with movement.
- Arnica: This remedy is useful when there is a lot of bruising and soreness in the joints.
- Apis mellifica: This remedy is useful when the joints are swollen and hot, and the person feels better with cold applications.
- Belladonna: This remedy is useful when there is sudden, intense pain in the joints.
- Bryonia: This remedy is useful when the pain is worse with movement and the person feels better with rest.
- Kali bichromicum: This remedy is useful when there is pain in the joints, especially the knee, and the person feels worse from heat.
- Natrum phosphoricum: This remedy is useful when there is a lot of acidity in the stomach, which can contribute to high uric acid levels.
References:
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- Feig, D. I., Kang, D. H., & Johnson, R. J. (2008). Uric acid and cardiovascular risk. New England Journal of Medicine, 359(17), 1811-1821. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMra0800885
- Neogi, T. (2011). Clinical practice. Gout. New England Journal of Medicine, 364(5), 443-452. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMcp1001124
- Richette, P., & Bardin, T. (2010). Gout. The Lancet, 375(9711), 318-328. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(09)60883-7/fulltext
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- Williams, P. T. (2008). Effects of diet, physical activity and performance, and body weight on incident gout in ostensibly healthy, vigorously active men. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 87(5), 1480-1487. https://academic.oup.com/ajcn/article/87/5/1480/4650438
- Zhang, Y., & Chen, C. (2017). Relationship between serum uric acid and all-cause and cardiovascular mortality: An open cohort study. Medicine, 96(34), e7897. https://journals.lww.com/md-journal/Fulltext/2017/08250/Relationship_between_serum_uric_acid_and_all_cause.25.aspx
- Zhang, Y., Neogi, T., Chen, C., Chaisson, C., Hunter, D. J., & Choi, H. (2012). Cherry consumption and decreased risk of recurrent gout attacks. Arthritis & Rheumatism, 64(12), 4004-4011. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/art.34677
- Sharma, D. (n.d.). Uric acid or hyperuricemia and homeopathy. Orbit Clinics. Retrieved April 17, 2023, from https://www.orbitclinics.com/uric-acid-or-hyperuricemia-and-homeopathy/
