>analgesic: medication that works to reduce the body’s perception of pain without producing anesthesia or loss of consciousness
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>anti-inflammatory: medication that works to reduce inflammation (including swelling, warmth, redness, and pain)
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>carpal tunnel syndrome: condition in which a nerve in the wrist is pinched or trapped, causing pain and numbness in the hand
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>chronic tophaceous gout: gout that has progressed to the point where large deposits of uric acid have formed
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>connective tissue: elements that form the supporting framework of the body, such as tendons and cartilage
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>controlled clinical study: study of medical treatment that directly compares the results of patients taking it to those of patients taking another treatment or no treatment (a placebo)
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>crash diet: common expression for a diet designed to cause quick weight loss
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>crystals (urate): solid objects formed by a repeating three-dimensional pattern; uric acid deposits composed of salt crystals are formed from uric acid
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>deformities: changes from the normal shape or size of body parts resulting in disfigurement
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>disability: impairment that interferes with normal function
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>diuretics: drugs that cause an increase in urination
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>enzyme defect: a genetic problem that has an effect on a normal biochemical process in the body
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>hyperuricemia: an abnormally high level of uric acid in the blood
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>inflammation: a reaction that causes pain, redness, and/or swelling in a part of the body that has been injured
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>inflammatory arthritis: arthritic condition (like gout) that has pain caused by inflammation (unlike osteoarthritis, which has pain caused by the erosion of cartilage in a joint)
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>kidney stones: small hard objects, mainly composed of phosphate or urate, that form in the kidneys
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>menopause: period in which menstruation naturally and permanently stops; usually occurs between the ages of 45 and 55
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>metabolism: the physical and chemical processes occurring in the body
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>niacin: a type of vitamin B; also known as nicotinic acid
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>nonprescription: available without a doctor’s written approval
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>obesity: condition of being very overweight
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>progression: worsening of a disease or condition over time
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>purines: substances produced by the breakdown of foods and naturally contained within human cells; uric acid is a type of purine
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>risk factor: a condition or activity that makes a harmful event more likely
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>uric acid: waste product from the breakdown of purines and proteins (such as during digestion), which is eliminated from the body in urine. Elevated levels are associated with gout
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>tophi (TOE-fi): a deposit of uric acid crystals in the body (often in the external ear or the kidney) associated with gout; these appear as large bumps, or nodules
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>well-balanced diet: an eating plan that includes all basic nutritional elements
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