HYPERURICEMIA AND EXERCISES

HYPERURICEMIA and EXERCISES 

Hyperuricemia occurs when there is increase in uric acid in the blood. High uric acid levels can lead to several diseases, including a painful type of arthritis called gout. Elevated uric acid levels are also associated with health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and kidney disease.Uric acid is a waste product created during the normal breakdown of Purines.

Purines are natural substance found in some foods like liver, mushrooms and dried beans e.t.c.,

When your body digest Purines, it produces a waste product called URIC ACID. This Uric acid is normally cleaned out of the blood by kidneys and passes out of the body along with urine. 

What are the common  causes of Hyperuricemia:

1. When kidneys are not eliminating Uric acid efficiently.

2. Over weight 

3. Insulin resistant 

4. Heavy Alcohol intake

5. Genetics 

6. Diabetes 

7. Hypertension 

8. Hypothyroidism 

9. Taking Diuretics 

10. Iron overload 

11. Total fasting 

12. Increased   consumption of meat

NORMAL VALUES OF URIC ACID:

Men- 3.5 to 7.0 mg/dl 

Women- 2.5 to 5.7 mg/dl

When there is in increased level of Uric acid then it may leads to Gout and Cardiovascular problems.

Due to lack of symptoms we won’t notice increased Uric acid levels in the blood. Men are frequently affected than women. In women we can see in Menopause stage.

What is a GOUT: 

Gout is a painful form of Arthritis commonly seen in the large Toe, Tendon sheaths, Ear cartilage and in kidneys as stones. It results from excessively high Uric acid levels in the blood. There are two types of Gout: 

1. Primary Gout and 

2. Secondary Gout 

PRIMARY GOUT is congenital and is the result of metabolism problem which is associated with insufficient removal of waste by the kidneys. 

SECONDARY GOUT is an acquired disease caused by Illness such as Tumours, Anaemia, Diabetes, Kidney function problems. 

SYMPTOMS OF GOUT:

• Intense joint pain 

• Redness 

• Tenderness 

• Swelling of the joints

TIPS TO REDUCE URIC ACID LEVELS :

1. Reduce your body weight. 

2. Eat fresh fruits and vegetables 

3. Drink only low fat milk and diary products 

4. Check purine content in your diet

5. Avoid Excessive Alcohol Intake 

6. Eat only Low fat food 

7. Do Exercises daily 

8. Plan your diet from Qualified Dietician 

9. Reduce intake of meat

10. Control your sugar levels in the body 

TREATMENT: 

1. Change your eating habits 

2. Take proper Medications

3. In Acute Gout attacks - Anti-inflammatory Medications 

4. Cold compression 

and Elevation 

5. Exercises 

PHYSIOTHERAPY TREATMENT: 

Your Physio will plan the treatment by proper Assessment of your joints and current Uric acid levels in the blood of your body and according to your age and health issues. So don’t start exercises without doctor advice and please do the exercises under supervision of qualified physiotherapist.

1. Strengthening exercises like squats, Lifting lite dumbbells , lunges e.t.c,. to maintain the maximum function of the joints.These exercises are performed to tone and condition your muscle to improve your joints health. 

2. Stretching Exercises to make your body more flexible 

3. Range of motion Exercises like Yoga and Pilates. 

4. Low Impact Exercises like knee bends

KNEE BEND EXERCISE: 

Lean over and slightly bend your knees, while trying to touch your toes. This exercise helps in reducing inflammation and relieve tension in the joints. 

5. Walking helps in over all body movement and increased in blood supply to the joints. 

6. Electro Accupuncture treatment for Gout. 

7. In acute gout attacks , you shouldn’t exercise until your pain and inflammation are reduced. 

NOTE: Please consult your doctor before starting any exercise program