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Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease
- Ankylosing Spondylitis Definition
- Ankylosing Spondylitis Symptoms
- Ankylosing Spondylitis Causes
- Ankylosing Spondylitis Tests
- Ankylosing Spondylitis Treatment
Ankylosing Spondylitis Definition
Ankylosing Spondylitis - long-term disease that causes spinal and pelvic joint inflammation, eventually causing the affected spinal bones to join together.
Ankylosing Spondylitis Symptoms
Ankylosing Spondylitis typically begins with intermittent lower back (sacroiliac joints between spine and pelvis) pain and stiffness that tend become more severe at night or just after waking up in the morning. Symptoms of Ankylosing Spondylitis typically become less severe during the day or during physical activity.
Over time, Ankylosing Spondylitis symptoms may spread to other parts of the spine and patients may lose flexibility or mobility. Other common symptoms are;
- Fevers, fatigue , weight loss, or loss of appetite
- Eye inflammation or uveitis
- Heel pain
- Hip pain and stiffness
- Joint pain and joint swelling in the shoulders, knees, and ankles
There is no single cause of ankylosing spondylitis, but genes seem to play a role. The disease most often begins between ages 20 and 40, but may begin before age 10. It affects more males than females. Family history of ankylosing spondylitis can increase risk of developing this problem during a lifetime.
Doctors may want to perform various tests like blood tests, imaging tests, and even vision tests to check for Ankylosing Spondylitis complications that cause eye and vision problems: Pecific tests may be CBC, ESR, HLA-B27 antigen, X-rays of the spine and pelvis, MRIs or CT scans.
The course of the Ankylosing Spondylitis is unpredictable. Some patients experience complete symptom relief while others report increasingly worstening symptoms.
Ankylosing Spondylitis Treatment
First treatments usually involve pain and inflammation relief. Anti-inflammatory medicines and diet may be suggested by a doctor. If symptoms persist, the doctor may prescribe steroid injections or medications that suppress the immune system, which block inflammatory proteins. Various exercises can help improve posture and breathing to strengthen the muscles around the spine. If non-invasive treatments do not relieve Ankylosing Spondylitis symptoms, surgery may be an option.