Warning signs as thousands in UK hit with Victorian disease that can cause life-changing symptoms

As many as a million people in the UK are believed to have a disease that can cause life-changing symptoms and dates back to Victorian times.

Gout, a type of arthritis, is caused by a chemical called uric acid forming small crystals, known as tophi, in and around the joints. If these tophi get into a joint, they may trigger inflammation, causing swelling, extreme pain and tenderness, the ECHO reports.

While the disease is commonly associated with being prevalent during Victorian Britain, there was a resurgence of the illness during the pandemic. The NHS estimates approximately 250,000 people were admitted to hospital with gout over the course of 2021-22.

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More recent figures suggest between 1-2% of the British population currently has gout. The main symptoms of the disease are:

Tophi can develop anywhere in the body but usually form on the toes, heels, knees, fingers, ears, forearms, or elbows.

Successful treatment will prevent the tophi from getting any bigger, and long term treatment often gradually shrinks them. If you have very large or painful tophi, they may have to be surgically removed.

If gout isn't treated, attacks may become more frequent and prolonged, and your likelihood of developing permanent joint damage will increase. In the most serious cases, surgery may be required to repair or replace a damaged joint.

While gout itself is not fatal, it can lead to life-changing complications if not treated. Those with gout may also be at a higher risk of premature death, according to a study published in Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases.

NHS advice suggests you should see a GP if:

It adds: "An attack of gout usually