Purines are substances that are found in the cells within the body, as well as certain foods such as meats, organ meats and dried beans. When the body breaks down purines, uric acid is the end product. Normally, uric acid is sent to the kidneys where it is flushed out of the body. If the uric acid levels become too high, however, it becomes waste within the body and can lead to complications.
Gout
High levels of uric acid in the blood can lead to gout. Gout occurs when uric acid levels build up in the fluid in and around the joints. As it builds up, uric acid crystals will form. Once the crystals begin to form, the joint will become swollen and inflammation sets in, causing severe pain. According to the National Institutes of Health, gout can be chronic or acute. Acute gout is intense pain that comes on suddenly and usually only affects one joint. Chronic gout occurs when occurrances of gout happen several times over a period of time, and it can affect more than one joint.
Kidney Stones
The kidneys work to filter harmful substances out of the blood, and send them out of the body with the urine. When a person is dehydrated, or not enough urine is produced for other reasons, these substances can build up. When uric acid levels are chronically high, not enough of it is excreted by the kidneys. Over time, the crystals in the uric acid can form into stones within the kidneys. The University of Maryland Medical Center states that 25 percent of gout patients will go on to develop kidney stones.
Kidney Disease
When the levels of waste material, including uric acid, build up in the blood, it can lead to illnesses and symptoms such as high blood pressure, nerve damage and even heart disease. These symptoms are all part of kidney disease. According to the December 2008 issue of the "Journal of the American Society of Nephrology," continually high levels of uric acid are a primary cause of kidney disease, which can ultimately lead to kidney failure. If kidney failure occurs, dialysis or a kidney transplant may be necessary to stay alive.
