How do you explain ankylosing spondylitis to family?

Say, “You know arthritis makes joints like the knees and wrists painful. Well, I have a kind of arthritis that affects the spine called ankylosing spondylitis.” You can also bring remind friends and family of the symptoms you've been having and connect them to your diagnosis.

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How do you explain ankylosing spondylitis to others?

Ankylosing spondylitis is a type of arthritis that causes inflammation in the joints and ligaments of the spine. Normally, the joints and ligaments in the spine help us move and bend. If you have ankylosing spondylitis, over time, the inflammation in the joints and tissues of the spine can cause stiffness.

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What is ankylosing spondylitis in layman's terms?

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a long-term (chronic) condition in which the spine and other areas of the body become inflamed. The symptoms of AS can vary but usually involve: back pain and stiffness that improves with exercise and isn't relieved by rest.

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What is the best description of ankylosing spondylitis?

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a type of inflammatory arthritis that mainly affects the spine. Symptoms of AS include back pain, stiffness and reduced mobility in the spine. Ankylosing spondylitis commonly affects the sacroiliac joints. These joints connect the base of the spine (sacrum) to your pelvis.

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What are the coping mechanisms for ankylosing spondylitis?

Whether it's through physical therapy or on your own, dedicating time to stretching is key. “We recommend making sure that you maintain your flexibility,” says Dr. Elghawy. “And so doing with physical therapy or flexibility exercises on your own for your low back can provide a lot of relief.”

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17. How do you try to explain Ankylosing Spondylitis to someone that has never heard of it.

19 related questions found

What aggravates ankylosing spondylitis?

Some foods can trigger ankylosing spondylitis, so it's important to avoid certain foods to prevent inflammation. These include foods that are high in fat, salt, and sugar; processed foods, dairy products, alcohol, caffeine, artificial sweeteners, and others.

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How is ankylosing spondylitis triggered?

Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic, inflammatory disorder and a rare form of arthritis. Triggers for ankylosing spondylitis include infections (gastrointestinal infections, urinary tract infections [UTIs], and respiratory infections), heavy physical activity, work stress, emotional stress, and pregnancy.

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What is an interesting fact about ankylosing spondylitis?

Ankylosing spondylitis is a type of arthritis that makes your spine painful and stiff. Ankylosing spondylitis is 3 times more common in men than women. It usually starts in people between 20 and 40 years old.

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What is the hallmark feature of ankylosing spondylitis?

The hallmark feature of ankylosing spondylitis is the involvement of the sacroiliac (SI) joints during the progression of the disease. The SI joints are located at the base of the spine, where the spine joins the pelvis. More information on ankylosis and iritis can be found in the Complications section.

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What are the 2 types of ankylosing spondylitis?

Doctors further classify adults as having one of two types of axSpA:
  • Radiographic axSpA, more commonly called ankylosing spondylitis, in which bone changes or fusing in the spine can be seen on x-ray; or.
  • Non-radiographic axSpA, without characteristic bone changes or fusing seen on x-ray.

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What are the worst symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis?

Symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis
  • back pain and stiffness.
  • pain and swelling in other parts of the body – caused by inflammation of the joints (arthritis) and inflammation where a tendon joins a bone (enthesitis)
  • extreme tiredness (fatigue)

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How debilitating is ankylosing spondylitis?

In some cases, ankylosing spondylitis can be debilitating and lead to disability, according to the SAA. Over time, the inflammation associated with ankylosing spondylitis can cause the vertebrae of the spine to fuse together. In severe cases, when this happens, the spine can curve and cause a stooped position.

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What is the new name for ankylosing spondylitis?

In 2009, two new classification terms were introduced: axial spondyloarthritis (axial SpA) and peripheral spondyloarthritis (peripheral SpA). The new terms do not replace the traditional, specific spondyloarthritis diagnoses (e.g. ankylosing spondylitis).

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What are the 4 body areas affected by ankylosing spondylitis?

While it mainly affects the neck and back, it can also cause pain and stiffness elsewhere in the body, including in the hips, shoulders and feet. We don't yet know what causes ankylosing spondylitis.

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Does ankylosing spondylitis qualify for disability?

The SSA recognizes Ankylosing Spondylitis as disabling. To qualify, you must meet the listing in the Inflammatory Arthritis section of the Blue Book, which is a manual of disabling conditions used by the SSA in reviewing claims for SSD benefits.

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How do you prove you have ankylosing spondylitis?

Diagnosis of Ankylosing Spondylitis. To diagnose ankylosing spondylitis, your doctor will ask you about your medical history and perform a physical exam. Your doctor may order imaging studies and lab tests to help confirm a diagnosis.

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What is the most common complaint in ankylosing spondylitis?

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic, inflammatory disease of the axial spine that can manifest with various clinical signs and symptoms. Chronic back pain and progressive spinal stiffness are the most common features of the disease.

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What is the gold standard for ankylosing spondylitis?

Evaluation of SIJ on pelvic X-rays according to the modified New York (mNY) criteria served for decades as the gold standard to ascertain a diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) at a given time point.

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What does ankylosing spondylitis pain feel like?

People with Ankylosing Spondylitis often describe an ongoing, dull pain that feels like it's coming from deep within their lower back or buttocks, along with morning stiffness. It is not unusual for symptoms to worsen, get better or stop completely at regular intervals.

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How does ankylosing spondylitis affect daily life?

It can cause fever, loss of appetite, and fatigue, and it can damage other organs besides the joints, such as the lungs, heart, and eyes. Most often though, only the low back is involved. The eye is the most common organ affected by ankylosing spondylitis.

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What is the average age of ankylosing spondylitis?

Age of disease onset usually peaks in the second and third decades of life. Approximately 80% of patients with AS experience symptoms at ≤ 30 years of age, while only 5% will present with symptoms at ≥ 45 years of age.

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What virus causes ankylosing spondylitis?

Ankylosing spondylitis is a form of reactive arthritis following Klebsiella infection, usually occurring in an HLA-B27-positive individual.

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Why is ankylosing spondylitis so common?

There is no known specific cause. Ankylosing spondylitis is relatively rare, affecting about 1 in 1,000 people. It is believed that people with the gene called HLA-B27 are at the greatest increased risk for developing ankylosing spondylitis, not everyone with the gene develops the condition.

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How does ankylosing spondylitis affect the eyes?

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a type of arthritis. It causes pain and stiffness, mainly in your spine. But it can also cause eye inflammation called uveitis. Left untreated, uveitis can harm your vision and, in some cases, lead to blindness.

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