Gout Gout is a complex disease of uncertain origin caused by the faulty metabolism of uric acid produced in the body by breakdown of protein, and resulting in elevated levels of uric acid. Gout has been studied by physicians and has caused suffering to many people. Formerly a leading cause of painful and disabling chronic arthritis, gout has been all but cured by advances in research. Unfortunately, many people with gout continue to suffer because …showed first 75 words of 610 total…

…showed last 75 words of 610 total…used for patients who have had multiple gout attacks or developed tophi or kidney stones. Several drugs that help the kidneys eliminate uric acid are available, such as probenecid, and a drug that blocks production of uric acid by the body, such as allopurinol. The choice between these two types of drugs depends on the amount of uric acid in the urine. With the correct treatment, gout should be well handled in almost all cases.