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.
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.
Symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis
The symptoms of AS can vary, but usually involve: 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)
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.”
When it's time to see a specialist for ankylosing spondylitis (AS), you'll make an appointment with a rheumatologist. A rheumatologist is a doctor who focuses on diseases that affect your joints, muscles, and bones. They treat all types of arthritis, including AS.
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. Ankylosing spondylitis is more common in men.
Ankylosing spondylitis, also known as axial spondyloarthritis, is an inflammatory disease that, over time, can cause some of the bones in the spine, called vertebrae, to fuse. This fusing makes the spine less flexible and can result in a hunched posture.
Sleep on your back to ease ankylosing spondylitis symptoms
Many people find relief from their ankylosing spondylitis symptoms by sleeping on their back. I tell my patients that the key to sleeping in this position is to maintain the natural curvature of their spine.
Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) is a type of progressive arthritis that leads to chronic inflammation of the spine and sacroiliac joints. It can also affect other joints and organs in the body, such as the eyes, lungs, kidneys, shoulders, knees, hips, heart, and ankles.
Can ankylosing spondylitis be inherited? AS can run in families, and the HLA-B27 gene variant can be inherited from another family member. If you have AS and tests show you carry the HLA-B27 gene variant then there is a 1 in 2 chance that you could pass on the gene variant to any children you have.
Prognosis. Almost all people with ankylosing spondylitis can expect to lead normal and productive lives. Despite the chronic nature of the illness, only a few people with ankylosing spondylitis will become severely disabled.
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.
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. This may also affect the ribs and make it difficult for the lungs to function properly.
Factors such as cold weather, humidity, high heat, and wind may act as triggers that change or even worsen symptoms. Treatment and a healthy lifestyle may help offset the effects of these changes.
Ankylosing spondylitis can also cause the heart to work less efficiently. If you have any symptoms of heart or lung problems—including heaviness of the chest or pain with deep breathing—talk to a doctor right away. The doctor can make sure you don't have any serious heart or lung problems.
Even if ankylosing spondylitis isn't causing you much physical pain, it still may be affecting your emotional health. On any given day you might feel anger, frustration, or even grief. Or maybe multiple feelings at the same time. “People are a beehive of emotions,” says Kenneth J.
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.
Approximately 10 percent of people with ankylosing spondylitis also develop a form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, according to the Spondylitis Association of America.
Ankylosing spondylitis is caused by Klebsiella.
The newer spondylitis classification system categorizes spondylitis into two main types according to where in the body the disease occurs. The two types are peripheral spondyloarthritis and axial spondyloarthritis.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) — such as naproxen sodium (Aleve) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) — are the medicines health care providers most commonly use to treat axial spondyloarthritis and nonradiographic axial spondyloarthritis.