Uratemia is a medical term that refers to the presence of high levels of uric acid in the blood. The spelling of uratemia is derived from two Greek roots, "urates" and "haima", meaning "uric acid" and "blood" respectively. The correct pronunciation of uratemia is ˌjʊərəˈtiːmiə, with emphasis on the second syllable. The phonetic transcription of this word highlights how the "u" in "urates" and the "a" in "haima" are combined, thus creating the unique sound of "ua".
Uratemia is a medical term that refers to the presence of an abnormally elevated level of uric acid in the bloodstream. Uric acid is a chemical compound that is formed as a normal byproduct of the breakdown of purines, which are substances found in certain foods and body tissues. Typically, uric acid is dissolved in the blood and passes through the kidneys, eventually being excreted in urine. However, in individuals with uratemia, the level of uric acid becomes excessively high.
Uratemia is commonly associated with a medical condition called gout, which is characterized by the deposition of uric acid crystals in the joints, causing severe inflammation and recurrent episodes of joint pain and swelling. However, uratemia can also be encountered in other instances where the body produces excessive amounts of uric acid or when the kidneys are not able to effectively eliminate it.
The symptoms of uratemia may include joint pain, particularly in the big toe, as well as redness, swelling, and tenderness in the affected joints. In severe cases, nodules called tophi may form under the skin, and kidney stones may develop.
Treatment for uratemia typically involves medications that help lower the levels of uric acid in the blood, along with lifestyle modifications such as maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding or limiting purine-rich foods and alcohol consumption, and staying adequately hydrated. Additionally, managing underlying conditions, such as kidney disease or metabolic disorders, may be essential in addressing uratemia.
The word "uratemia" is not a widely recognized term in English. It seems to be a combination of two medical conditions: "urates" and "emia".
"Urates" refers to the salt of uric acid, which can form crystals that accumulate in joints, leading to conditions like gout. "Emia" is a suffix derived from the Greek word "aima", meaning "blood".
Therefore, it can be inferred that "uratemia" is a term that could be used to describe a condition where there is an excess of urates or uric acid in the blood. However, it is important to note that "uratemia" is not a commonly used or recognized medical term.