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Ankylosing Spondylitis Written by DynoMed.com, Indianapolis, IN Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic inflammatory type of arthritis that mainly affects the spine. About two million Americans have ankylosing spondylitis. This disease affects men three to four times more than women. Young white men between the ages of 20 and 30 are the target group. Ankylosing spondylitis is inheritable. There is a genetic marker called HLA-B27 that is found on the cells of people with AS which establishes a predisposition to the disease. Once thought to be part of rheumatoid arthritis, we now know that ankylosing spondylitis is related to rheumatoid arthritis, but is a separate disease. Like gout, ankylosing spondylitis is an ancient disease and has even been found in Egyptian mummies. Symptoms of Ankylosing Spondylitis
Other common symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis include:
Other parts of the body may also be affected. Often, a person with ankylosing spondylitis will have an inflammation of the eye called iritis. This condition is easily treated by an eye doctor and will leave no permanent injury. Ankylosing spondylitis can also occur in the upper part of the body, but this is less likely. If the chest is involved, there may be interference with a person’s ability to breathe along with diminished chest expansion. Lungs may also be affected because of scar tissue from the inflammation. Rarely, the heart valves of the aorta can be injured because of the inflammation caused by ankylosing spondylitis. Surgery may be necessary to correct this problem. Ankylosing spondylitis is
usually active for about ten years and may then level off. But, it can
leave permanent damage to your spine, hips or knees. People who acquired
ankylosing spondylitis as a teenager are more likely to have other types
of arthritis and need a hip replacement than those who developed ankylosing
spondylitis after age 30. Treatment of Ankylosing Spondylitis While there isn’t a cure for ankylosing spondylitis, exercise and the use of NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) may be able to successfully treat the symptoms and prevent further deformity in the spine. Your treatment program should be tailored to fit your symptoms. NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen and aspirin, may be used to help manage the lower back pain and stiffness. Be sure to discuss with your doctor all the medications you are taking to make sure that your doctor can consider the potential for drug interactions. Daily exercise is one of the
most important things to help treat ankylosing spondylitis. By keeping
muscles strong and working on flexibility, you can help to prevent your
spine from becoming rigid. You may wish to meet with a physical therapist
to discuss an exercise program that works for you. Long-term follow
up with your therapist is essential to monitor your stiffness. You may
also benefit from posture training. Other suggestions include:
Another important aspect of
treatment includes emotional support through psychosocial support groups,
patient support groups, and family counseling. By educating yourself about
ankylosing spondylitis and the available treatment options, you may improve
your quality of life despite the disease. |
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