Hyperuricemia
Hyperuricemia is an elevation in urate in the serum. Although asymptomatic intially, hyperuricemia can lead to other conditions, the most common one being gout. Gout is an arthritic condition where the uric acid deposits in joints causing periodic attacks of pain, typically in the big toe.[1]
Contents
Naturopathic Assessment
Causal Factors
In order to stimulate the innate ability of the body to heal the causes of disease must be identified and addressed. With hyperuricemia, the causes are variable and include lifestyle and environmental factors. A detailed assessment is required to determine which factors are contributing to hyperuriciemia in order to prevent the development and progression of disease.
Lifestyle
- Increased consumption of high purine containing foods such as organ meats, meat, yeast, poultry, fats, refined carbohydrates, and general caloric excess increase the risk of hyperuricemia and gout.[1]
- Excess consumption of alcohol can increase hyperuricemia.[1]
- Dehydration is a risk factor for hyperuricemia and the development of gout.[2]
Medical Interventions
- 'Medical Prescriptions
- Thiazides, loop diuretics, losartan, aspirin, and other salicylates may promote the formation of urate crystals.[2]
- Supplementation
Diagnostic Testing
- The gold standard for confirming a diagnosis of gout is joint fluid aspirate microscopy demonstrating urate crystals. This process can be difficult, and diagnosis is often made solely on clinical presentation.[3]
- Hyperuricemia is defined as a serum urate concentration over 6.8mg/dL.[3]
Related Symptoms and Conditions
Conditions associated with hyperuricemia include:[4], [5]
- Gout
- Chronic tophaceous gout
- Kidney Stones
- Obesity
- Insulin Resistance
- Hypertension
- Cardiovascular Disease
- Cystic Kidney Disease
- Lead Nephropathy
- Psoriasis
- Myelo-and lymphoproliferative disorders
Characteristics
Hyperuricemia itself is typically asymptomatic until it triggers other conditions, such as gout.
Naturopathic Treatment
The goal of naturopathic treatment is to support and work in tandem with the healing power of the body and to address the causal factors of disease with individual treatment strategies. Hyperuricemia is typically a chronic disease and requires long term intervention.
The main treatment strategy for hyperuricemia is similar to gout. Addressing other underlying conditions, especially as they relate to the body's ability to excrete uric acid are critical. The following are specific dietary recommendations and home care strategies relating to high uric acid, even in the absence of gout.
It is always advisable to work with a naturopathic doctor before engaging in any treatment plan.
Home Care
- Alkaline baths can assist in decreasing the level of uric acid in the body.
Lifestyle
Lifestyle recommendations include:
- Weight loss is a primary treatment in hyperuricemia and gout.
- Low purine diet
- Anti-inflammatory diet.
- Increase fruits such as black cherries, purple grapes, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, and strawberries.
- Alcohol should be avoided, with the only exception being moderate consumption of dark coloured wines.
- Water intake of 2.5L per day is encouraged to prevent crystallization and promote excretion of uric acid.[2]
References
Reviewed by Iva Lloyd, BScH, RPE, ND [1]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Murray MT, Bongiorno PB. (2006) Pizzorno Textbook of Natural Medicine 3rd ed Chap 171 Gout Elsevier.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Demio PC (2007) Rakel: Integrative Medicine 2nd ed Chap 65 Gout Saunders
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Chohan S (2011) Bope and Kellerman: Conn's Current Therapy 1st ed Chap 12 Hyperuricemia and Gout Saunders
- ↑ Edwards NL (2011) Goldman: Goldman's Cecil Medicine 24th ed Chap 281 Crystal Deposition Disease Saunders
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Schlesinger N (2005) Dietary factors and hyperuricaemia. Current Pharmaceutical Design;11(32):4133-8. PMID: 16375734.
