| What is Ankylosing Spondylitis? | | | | find it more and more difficult and painful to move |
| Ankylosing Spondylitis is a condition which is related to | | | | around. Also, in a number of cases. as the joints start |
| arthritis. Ankylosing Spondylitis affects approximately | | | | to become more and more affected, it becomes |
| 1 in every 250 mainly young men so while many may | | | | harder to breath as the ribs start to stop moving. |
| have not heard about it, it is quite common. | | | | This means that breathing is now being conducted |
| The word Ankylosing means inflammation of the spine | | | | using only the muscles of the diaphragm. On top of |
| while Spondylitis means joint which is fixed solid and | | | | this, the lungs could be affected by Ankylosing |
| unable to bend. So, in simple terms, Ankylosing | | | | Spondylitis. |
| Spondylitis is a condition which involves the spine | | | | Ankylosing Spondylitis in approximately 1 in 3 cases |
| becoming inflamed and as a consequence becoming | | | | can cause inflammation in one or both eyes. |
| fixed and solid. What tends to happen, is that | | | | Causes of Ankylosing Spondylitis |
| tendons or ligaments attached to the spine become | | | | Nobody knows exactly what causes Ankylosing |
| swollen. When the swelling reduces, it is replaced by | | | | Spondylitis. It is generally thought that the antigen |
| growths of bone. When this happens a number of | | | | HLA-B27. This may explain why this condition |
| times, there becomes more and more bone where | | | | appears to run in families. This is also linked to a |
| there used to be tendons or ligaments until eventually | | | | condition called Reites Syndrome. |
| the joint fuses together. | | | | Treatment of Ankylosing Spondylitis |
| As with many conditions, different people are affected | | | | There are no drugs in existence today which can slow |
| with varying degrees of this condition, with some | | | | or stop the condition. However, there are drugs |
| barely noticing it while others lose their full | | | | called Non Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) |
| independence. What is also interesting is that the | | | | which can help to control the inflammation and reduce |
| Ankylosing Spondylitis symptoms can come and go | | | | the pain. |
| over time. | | | | Also, daily exercise consisting of gentle stretching |
| What are the Symptoms of Ankylosing Spondylitis? | | | | exercises or swimming can help to improve the |
| The first time people tend to notice that they have | | | | movement of the spine and help to create a more |
| Ankylosing Spondylitis, is when the experience lower | | | | positive posture. On top of this, hydrotherapy and |
| back pain and some muscle spasms. This tends to | | | | physiotherapy can also help to relieve the symptoms. |
| be worse during the night. This pain often spreads to | | | | Unfortunately, there are a small number of people |
| the upper back, neck and buttocks. Also, in the | | | | suffering from Ankylosing Spondylitis who will require |
| morning, neck pain may be experienced which is | | | | hip replacements. Thankfully, those cases are few |
| relieved during the day through exercise. | | | | and far between. |
| Without treatment, it is possible that the symptoms | | | | Interestingly, the symptoms of Ankylosing Spondylitis |
| could develop into fever, fatigue and a loss of | | | | can be present for a period of time and then they |
| appetite. There may be some weight loss as well. | | | | reduce significantly. |
| As the spine starts to fuse together, you may start to | | | | |