| | | | | worse in the morning or after prolonged periods of |
| Ankylosing Spondylitis | | | | inactivity. The pain and stiffness are often eased by |
| Ankylosing spondylitis is a form of chronic inflammation | | | | motion, heat, and a warm shower in the morning. |
| of the spine and the sacroiliac joints. The sacroiliac | | | | Because ankylosing spondylitis often affects |
| joints are located in the low back where the sacrum | | | | adolescents, the onset of low back pain is sometimes |
| (the bone directly above the tailbone) meets the iliac | | | | incorrectly attributed to athletic injuries in younger |
| bones (bones on either side of the upper buttocks). | | | | patients... |
| Chronic inflammation in these areas causes pain and | | | | |
| stiffness in and around the spine. Over time, chronic | | | | How is ankylosing spondylitis diagnosed ? |
| spinal inflammation (spondylitis) can lead to a complete | | | | The diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis is based on |
| cementing together (fusion) of the vertebrae, a | | | | evaluating the patient's symptoms, a physical |
| process referred to as ankylosis. Ankylosis leads to | | | | examination, X-ray findings, and blood tests. Stiffness, |
| loss of mobility of the spine. | | | | pain, and decreased range of motion of the spine are |
| | | | | characteristic of the inflammatory back pain of |
| Ankylosing spondylitis is also a systemic disease, | | | | ankylosing spondylitis. Symptoms include pain and |
| meaning it can affect other tissues throughout the | | | | morning stiffness of the spine and sacral areas with or |
| body. Accordingly, it can cause inflammation in or injury | | | | without accompanying inflammation in other joints, |
| to other joints away from the spine, as well as to | | | | tendons, and organs. Early symptoms of ankylosing |
| other organs, such as the eyes, heart, lungs, and | | | | spondylitis can be very deceptive, as stiffness and |
| kidneys. Ankylosing spondylitis shares many features | | | | pain in the low back can be seen in many other |
| with several other arthritis conditions, such as psoriatic | | | | conditions. It can be particularly subtle in women, who |
| arthritis, reactive arthritis, and arthritis associated with | | | | tend to (though not always) have more mild spine |
| Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Each of these | | | | involvement. Years can pass before the diagnosis of |
| arthritic conditions can cause disease and inflammation | | | | ankylosing spondylitis is even considered... |
| in the spine, other joints, eyes, skin, mouth, and various | | | | |
| organs. In view of their similarities and tendency to | | | | What are treatment options for ankylosing spondylitis ? |
| cause inflammation of the spine, these conditions are | | | | The treatment of ankylosing spondylitis involves the |
| collectively referred to as "spondyloarthropathies." | | | | use of medications to reduce inflammation and/or |
| Ankylosing spondylitis is considered one of the many | | | | suppress immunity to stop progression of the disease, |
| rheumatic diseases because it can cause symptoms | | | | physical therapy, and exercise. Medications decrease |
| involving muscles and joints... | | | | inflammation in the spine and other joints and organs. |
| | | | | Physical therapy and exercise help improve posture, |
| What causes ankylosing spondylitis ? | | | | spine mobility, and lung capacity. |
| The tendency to develop ankylosing spondylitis is | | | | |
| believed to be genetically inherited, and the majority | | | | Aspirin and other nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs |
| (nearly 90%) of patients with ankylosing spondylitis are | | | | (NSAIDs) are commonly used to decrease pain and |
| born with the HLA-B27 gene. Blood tests have been | | | | stiffness of the spine and other joints. Commonly used |
| developed to detect the HLA-B27 gene marker and | | | | NSAIDs include indomethacin (Indocin), tolmetin |
| have furthered our understanding of the relationship | | | | (Tolectin), sulindac (Clinoril), naproxen (Naprosyn), and |
| between HLA-B27 and ankylosing spondylitis. The | | | | diclofenac (Voltaren). Their common side effects |
| HLA-B27 gene appears only to increase the tendency | | | | include stomach upset, nausea, abdominal pain, |
| of developing ankylosing spondylitis, while some | | | | diarrhea, and even bleeding ulcers. These medicines |
| additional factor(s), perhaps environmental, are | | | | are frequently taken with food in order to minimize side |
| necessary for the disease to appear or become | | | | effects. |
| expressed. For example, while 7% of the United | | | | |
| States population have the HLA-B27 gene, only 1% of | | | | Please log on to : |
| the population actually have the disease ankylosing | | | | Send your query : Get a Quote |
| spondylitis... | | | | |
| | | | | We Care Core Values |
| What are the symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis ? | | | | We have a very simple business model that keeps |
| The symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis are related to | | | | you as the centre. |
| inflammation of the spine, joints, and other organs. | | | | Having the industry’s most elaborate and exclusive |
| Fatigue is a common symptom associated with active | | | | Patient Care and Clinical Coordination teams stationed |
| inflammation. Inflammation of the spine causes pain and | | | | at each partner hospital, we provide you the |
| stiffness in the low back, upper buttock area, neck, and | | | | smoothest and seamless care ever imagined. With a |
| the remainder of the spine. The onset of pain and | | | | ratio of one Patient Care Manager to five patients our |
| stiffness is usually gradual and progressively worsens | | | | patient care standards are unmatched across the sub |
| over months. Occasionally, the onset is rapid and | | | | continent. |
| intense. The symptoms of pain and stiffness are often | | | | |