Gout Health Article

KEY TERMS

Allopurinol—A drug that corrects hyperuricemia by inhibiting urate production.

Colchicine—A drug used to treat painful flare-ups of gout.

Corticosteroids—Medications related to a natural body hormone called hydrocortisone, which are used to treat inflammation.

Hyperuricemia—High levels of a waste product called uric acid in the blood.

Probenecid—A drug that corrects hyperuricemia by increasing the urinary excretion of urate.

Purine—A substance found in foods that is broken down into urate and may contribute to hyperuricemia and gout.

Sulfinpyrazone—A drug that corrects hyperuricemia by increasing the urinary excretion of urate.

Synovial fluid—Fluid surrounding the joints which acts as a lubricant, reducing the friction between the joints.

Urate crystals—Crystals formed by high levels of uric acid in the blood.