Every human body produces uric acid because the body system breaks down purines. People ingest purines with drinks such as wine and beer, and with foods such as peas, beans and liver. For most people, this process causes no problems. However, when the body does not remove the correct level of uric acid via the kidneys, it can build up and cause such ailments as gout and kidney stones. These both are painful but not life-threatening conditions. High uric acid levels also may cause kidney failure, however, which is a serious problem.
Gout
When uric acid levels become too high in some people, the acid can form crystals in the joints. These crystals usually form in the feet and particularly in the big toes. They also may form elsewhere, but usually are confined to the feet. Uric acid crystals cause inflammation, which is called gout or gouty arthritis. The most common symptom of this is excruciating pain in the inflamed area. Redness may appear on the skin and the skin may feel warmer than the surrounding area. During a gout attack, which the Mayo Clinic reports usually continues for 12 to 24 hours, the foot feels extremely tender and painful, with the slightest touch causing sharp pain. Following the onset of the attack, the pain and discomfort may continue for days or weeks.
Kidney Stones
Kidney stones form in the kidneys because of the crystallization of the uric acid there. The stones typically are small and do not cause symptoms unless they begin to move into the ureters to the bladder. Ureters are the small tubes that transport urine from the kidneys to the bladder. When they move into the ureters, they can cause intense pain in the kidneys, the ureters, the bladder and the urethra, the tube that transports urine out of the body. Kidney pain usually occurs in the person's back at either side where the kidneys are located. These kinds of kidney stones---there are other causes for kidney stones than high uric acid levels---MedlinePlus reports, occur in men more often than women.
Kidney Failure
Failure in the kidneys occurs in either acute or chronic forms, the Mayo Clinic reports. Acute kidney failure is a sudden drop in the functional level of the organs, while the chronic form takes place gradually. The kidneys work to extract toxins from the body and expel them via urination. When this does not happen correctly, the toxins can build to fatal levels. Symptoms of acute kidney failure include reduced urination, swelling in the extremities, fatigue, pain in the chest, shortness of breath and mental confusion. In extreme cases, the person may experience seizures or slip into a coma. Chronic kidney failure causes some of these same symptoms as well as cramps in the muscles, appetite loss and problems sleeping.
