Gout: Spot the signs before joint damage sets in

Left unchecked, it can lead to kidney and heart issues, says clinical immunologist and rheumatologist Grace Chan Yin Lai

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If you have ever been jolted awake by a burning pain in your feet, only to find it too tender to touch, it could be a sign of gout - a form of inflammatory arthritis. Gout is caused by the buildup of uric acid in the blood. When it is produced excessively and cannot be flushed out efficiently, urate crystals can form in the joints, triggering pain, swelling and inflammation.

Factors such as diet, lifestyle, age and gender can increase your risk of developing gout, says Dr Grace Chan Yin Lai, a clinical immunologist and rheumatologist at Mount Alvernia Hospital. Here, she explains the signs to watch and how to prevent long-term complications.

How is gout different from other types of joint pain and what other symptoms are there?