Ankylosing Spondylitis

Ankylosing spondylitis is a kind of arthritis that impacts the joints in the spine. Doctors also refer to it as axial spondylarthritis. This inflammatory disease can affect the joints connecting the bottom of the spine to the pelvis, called the sacroiliac joints. These joints link the spine and pelvis and sit where the sacrum, the wedge-shaped lowest part of your spine, meets the ilium, the upper back part of the pelvis. Though less common, ankylosing spondylitis may also involve other joints, such as:

• Shoulders
• Hips
• Knees

What symptoms does Ankylosing Spondylitis Cause? People with ankylosing spondylitis feel a range of symptoms. Most often, lower back pain appears because of sacroiliitis, which is inflammation in the sacroiliac joints. Pain may also move to other areas. You could feel different pain types like:

• Hip pain
• A sore feeling in your buttocks
• Neck pain
• Stomach pain

There are also some other symptoms tied to ankylosing spondylitis that you could notice:

• You might feel stiffness or find it hard to move your hips or lower back after waking up in the morning or sitting still in one spot for a long time.
• Always feeling tired
• Shortness of breath
• You could lose your appetite
• Unexpected weight loss
• Diarrhoea
• Skin rashes may also show up.
• Your eyesight or vision could have some issues.

What brings on Ankylosing Spondylitis? Ankylosing spondylitis is an autoimmune disease. This type of disease occurs when the immune system harms the body instead of defending it. Studies show a strong connection between having AS and certain genetic mutations. Genetic mutations are changes in the DNA sequence that take place when cells divide to copy themselves.

Who is More at Risk? While anyone might get ankylosing spondylitis, some are more prone to it. These include:

• People under 40, with most diagnosed around age 30.
• Men.
• Those with close biological relatives who have AS parents.

Certain health issues increase the chances of developing ankylosing spondylitis. These include:

• Crohn’s disease
• Ulcerative colitis
• Psoriasis

Tests and Diagnosis Your doctor uses a physical exam to diagnose ankylosing spondylitis. During the exam, they check your body and ask about your symptoms. There isn’t a specific test to confirm AS. Doctors rely on several tests together to figure it out.

• Sacroiliac joint and spine X-rays help check if arthritis is present.
• An MRI offers more detailed images than regular X-rays.
• Blood tests are used to detect the mutated HLA-B27 gene.

Management and Treatment Doctors recommend ways to ease symptoms and minimize their effect on your daily life. Some standard treatments for ankylosing spondylitis are:

• Exercise: Staying active can help ease stiffness and prevent AS from worsening.
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): You can take NSAIDs like ibuprofen or naproxen to manage pain and swelling.
• Biologic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs): Doctors prescribe these drugs to lower swelling and ease pain.
• Corticosteroids: These are anti-inflammatory drugs that require a prescription.
• Surgery: Surgery isn’t common for AS treatment. Doctors recommend it when symptoms are bad, and other treatments fail to work.

What happens if I have Ankylosing Spondylitis? Ankylosing spondylitis lasts a long time. You will need to handle its symptoms over many years or even your whole life. Some people with AS go through times when their symptoms ease up or become lighter. Even if you have not felt symptoms for a long time, they might still come back.

How can I Care for Myself? Stick to your AS treatment plan, and there are ways to lower inflammation in your body and ease pressure on your joints:

• Eat nutritious food and exercise in a way that suits you.
• Cut back on drinking alcohol.
• Stop smoking.