The word Ankylosing means inflammation of the spine while Spondylitis means joint which is fixed solid and unable to bend. So, in simple terms, Ankylosing Spondylitis is a condition which involves the spine becoming inflamed and as a consequence becoming fixed and solid. What tends to happen, is that tendons or ligaments attached to the spine become swollen. When the swelling reduces, it is replaced by growths of bone. When this happens a number of times, there becomes more and more bone where there used to be tendons or ligaments until eventually the joint fuses together.
As with many conditions, different people are affected with varying degrees of this condition, with some barely noticing it while others lose their full independence. What is also interesting is that the Ankylosing Spondylitis symptoms can come and go over time.
What are the Symptoms of Ankylosing Spondylitis?
The first time people tend to notice that they have Ankylosing Spondylitis, is when the experience lower back pain and some muscle spasms. This tends to be worse during the night. This pain often spreads to the upper back, neck and buttocks. Also, in the morning, neck pain may be experienced which is relieved during the day through exercise.
Without treatment, it is possible that the symptoms could develop into fever, fatigue and a loss of appetite. There may be some weight loss as well.
As the spine starts to fuse together, you may start to find it more and more difficult and painful to move around. Also, in a number of cases. as the joints start to become more and more affected, it becomes harder to breath as the ribs start to stop moving. This means that breathing is now being conducted using only the muscles of the diaphragm. On top of this, the lungs could be affected by Ankylosing Spondylitis.
Ankylosing Spondylitis in approximately 1 in 3 cases can cause inflammation in one or both eyes.
Causes of Ankylosing Spondylitis
Nobody knows exactly what causes Ankylosing Spondylitis. It is generally thought that the antigen HLA-B27. This may explain why this condition appears to run in families. This is also linked to a condition called Reites Syndrome.
Treatment of Ankylosing Spondylitis
There are no drugs in existence today which can slow or stop the condition. However, there are drugs called Non Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) which can help to control the inflammation and reduce the pain.
Also, daily exercise consisting of gentle stretching exercises or swimming can help to improve the movement of the spine and help to create a more positive posture. On top of this, hydrotherapy and physiotherapy can also help to relieve the symptoms.
Unfortunately, there are a small number of people suffering from Ankylosing Spondylitis who will require hip replacements. Thankfully, those cases are few and far between.
Interestingly, the symptoms of Ankylosing Spondylitis can be present for a period of time and then they reduce significantly.
Symptoms Of Ankylosing Spondylitis
Ankylosing spondylitis is a condition that a fraction of the population faces. It is a type of arthritis that affects the spinal column and can be one of the most debilitating of all types of arthritis. In this condition, you will experience stiffness and pain. Generally, that pain runs from your neck down into your lower back. The worst part about this condition is that it often ends up causing your vertebrae, or the bones in your spine, to fuse together. That can cause many problems for you in virtually every function of your life.
What you need to know about ankylosing spondylitis is that if the condition is caught and treated soon enough, your pain will be lessened and the conditions worst debilitating abilities will be lessened, considerably. With the help of medications, physical therapy and screening, you can reduce your pain. If you don't seek out the help you need for this condition, the worst possibility you can face is having a stooped over spine that can lead to the inability to function and do the things you need to do.
Do You Have It?
With the help of your doctor you can determine if you have ankylosing spondylitis. He or she will perform a series of tests that often include x-rays, a monitoring of your symptoms and a physical exam. Through these things, your doctor will be able to determine what is affecting you as well as the degree and the possible treatment for it. The symptoms of this form of arthritis are quite unique. One of them is the fusion of your vertebrae. What happens is as simple as your body doing too much to help itself. As with arthritis, an inflammation starts, it causes your body to trigger a healing device. In this case, it thinks that you need to heal your bones and therefore begins to stimulate bone growth. The problem with that is that the bony growth is actually fusing the two vertebrae together which leads you to additional problems.
Not only will this cause a loss of range of motion, but in addition, it will make it harder for you to breathe because your ribs are being forced in against your lungs. You may not be able to take in a deep breathe.
There are other symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis as well. The pain and stiffness that is generally accompanied by any form of arthritis are there. This can happen from the lower back, into your hips and into the buttocks. If you have pain that is constant in the hips and lower back area for more than three months, then it is a sign that you could be developing this condition. In addition, the ligaments and tendons in your spinal area on down into the back and hips can be effected and may be sore and stiff.
With the right help, though, most of the symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis can be lessened and even reversed. But, for this to happen, you have to be proactive in getting the help you need to make it so.
Both Mike Mansell & Greg Marsh are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Mike Mansell has sinced written about articles on various topics from Health, Disease & illness and Irritable Bowel. If you want to read more about this subject from other people please visit my website where you'll lots of useful information on the treatment. Mike Mansell's top article generates over 6600 views. to your Favourites.
Greg Marsh has sinced written about articles on various topics from Arthritis Signs, Marketing and Arthritis Signs. For more observations about from Greg, click the link.. Greg Marsh's top article generates over 5400 views. to your Favourites.
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