Ankylosing Spondylitis

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a type of inflammatory arthritis that occurs when the joints and ligaments along the spine become inflamed. It mainly affects the spine or back. AS patients typically experience pain and stiffness that begins in the lower back area. The pain may spread to the upper back, chest and neck area. Eventually, the joints and bones may grow together and cause the spine to become rigid and inflexible. Other joints, such as the hips, shoulders and knees as well as organs, may also be affected.

Researchers don’t know the cause of AS, but heredity plays a clear role. It occurs most frequently in Caucasians, Asian and Hispanic populations and is more common in men. The disease can develop in children as well.

Symptoms

The first sign of AS is inflammation in the lower spine area and often occurs between the ages of 17 and 35. Other common early symptoms include:

Chronic pain and stiffness that develops slowly in the lower back, buttocks and hips
Pain and stiffness that is worse after periods of inactivity and improves with movement
Back pain at night or early morning
Morning stiffness

In the long-term, AS symptoms may also include fever, loss of appetite, fatigue and inflammation in the lungs, heart and eyes.

Treatments

Some over-the-counter analgesics, such as acetaminophen, may help relieve AS pain. Commonly prescribed medications for AS include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and Disease-modifying Antirheumatic Drugs (DMARDs), which are powerful anti-inflammatory medicines. Your doctor may also prescribe corticosteroids, such as prednisone, which are strong anti-inflammatory medicines that work quickly compared to NSAIDs.

Many people with AS regain use of joints damaged by AS by having joint replacement surgery.

AS patients can be proactive about their health by getting regular exercise, eating a nutritious diet and maintaining good posture. It’s very important for smokers with AS to quit, since the disease affects the lungs and rib cage and makes breathing difficult.

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Rheumatic Diseases and Awareness with Dr. Afroz

2024-10-15T14:19:15-05:00By Lauryn Steffes|Categories: Ankylosing Spondylitis, Gout, Juvenile Arthritis, Live Interview, News, Osteoarthritis, Osteoporosis, Other Rheumatic Conditions, Psoriatic Arthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Rheumatology, Systemic Lupus, Your Local Experts|Tags: Arthritis, Gout, Joint Pain, Juvenile Arthritis, Lupus, OSMS, Osteoarthritis, Osteoporosis, Psoriatic Arthritis, Rheumatic disease, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Rheumatology, Scleroderma|

September is Rheumatic Disease Awareness Month. Rheumatic diseases are chronic conditions that can affect people of all ages and disrupt daily life. Dr. Afroz helps [...]

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Ankylosing Spondylitis