Gout is a painful inflammation of joints caused by accumulation of uric acid crystals. Uric acid is a normal chemical formed by the breakdown of purines, which in turn are an important component of the human body. Many foods contain purines especially seafood and meat.

Unless a patient has a family history or is taking medication that can cause gout such as some diuretics it may be hard to predict who will get gout. The treatment, however, is often very successful. Once an attack occurs future attacks can be prevented by use of allopurinol, colchicines and other medications. Patients who have had an organ transplant are often on medications that can cause gout.

It is important to prevent attacks. If left untreated repeated attacks can cause permanent joint damage and cause deformities of other parts by formation of