What kind of disease is hyperuricemia?
Hyperuricemia is a condition in which the uric acid level in the blood is high. Uric acid is a substance produced in the liver from purines.
Purines are one of the components that make up the cells of living organisms, and are either taken in through the diet or produced by the body.
When uric acid levels remain high, crystals form in joints and other parts of the body. This causes inflammation, which leads to joint swelling and pain.
In addition to such arthritis, hyperuricemia is known to cause kidney damage and urinary tract stones, and is also associated with stroke and heart disease.
Pseudogout is a disease that causes joint swelling and pain similar to gout, though,
Gout is caused by crystals of uric acid, whereas pseudogout is caused by crystals of a substance called calcium pyrophosphate.
What are the symptoms of hyperuricemia?
Hyperuricemia alone usually has no symptoms. It is often found during physical examinations and may be triggered by gout.
Gout causes sudden swelling and pain in the joints. It typically occurs in the toes, but can also be in the ankle or knee joints.
Symptoms often subside within 7-10 days, but may recur if not properly treated.
Pseudogout, like gout, causes sudden swelling and pain in the joints. The most common site is the knee joint, but it can also occur in the shoulder, hand, and ankle joints.
What tests are performed when hyperuricemia is suspected?
The basic test for hyperuricemia is a blood test. Hyperuricemia is diagnosed when uric acid levels exceed 7.0 mg/dL.
Other blood and urine tests are performed to check for kidney complications and other diseases that may cause arteriosclerosis.
These may be substituted with the results of a medical examination.
If there are symptoms of gout or pseudogout in the joints that are suspected of being gouty or pseudogout, radiographic examination and, if necessary, in addition to blood tests,
A needle is inserted into the joint to collect joint fluid for testing. The cause of arthritis is diagnosed based on the course of symptoms and the results of these tests.
What is the treatment for hyperuricemia?
The goal of treatment for hyperuricemia is to prevent gout attacks and kidney damage. It is also important to pay attention to comorbid lifestyle-related diseases to prevent stroke and heart disease.
Treatment includes lifestyle modification and drugs to lower uric acid levels (uric acid-lowering drugs).
Overeating, purine-rich diets, alcohol consumption, and lack of exercise not only cause hyperuricemia,
Since it is also related to other lifestyle-related diseases, we aim to improve it through nutritional and exercise guidance.
If lifestyle modification alone does not lower uric acid sufficiently, uric acid-lowering drugs are also used.
There are several types of uric acid-lowering drugs, so the right one is selected for each patient.
Gout is treated with drugs that reduce inflammation.
Usually non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or a type of drug called colchicine are used, though,
If the effect is insufficient, oral steroids or injections into the joints may be administered.
Symptoms of pseudogout are controlled by rest and cooling of the affected area and the use of analgesics.
If symptoms are severe, the joint fluid in the swollen joint is drained and steroid injections are given into the joint.
What tests and treatments for hyperuricemia are available at the Ikejiri-Ohashi Sera Clinic?
The clinic specializes in orthopedics, internal medicine, and sports medicine and can provide a variety of tests and treatments.
The following tests and treatments for hyperuricemia can be performed at our clinic
Examination: blood test, urinalysis, X-ray, arthrocentesis
Treatment: joint injections, oral prescriptions, nutritional guidance, exercise guidance
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We are committed to alleviating your concerns and supporting the improvement of your health.
Please feel free to take a walk and consult with us at our clinic.