| |
Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS)Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) is a relatively uncommon form of Arthritis that usually affects the spine, often causing severe backache and stiffness, but can also affect hips, shoulders, and the sacroiliac joint that attaches the spine to the pelvis.
The name of this condition is derived from Ankylosing (which means stiff or rigid) and Spondylitis (which means inflammation in the spine).
Symptoms
The main symptoms Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) include one or more of the following:
- chronic back pain,
- stiffness in the back (especially in the morning),
- pain in other joints including the neck, knees, ankles and hips,
- pain around tendons
- pain in the heel,
- inflammation of the
eyes, and,
- various rashes.
In rare cases, the heart or the lungs may be affected by AS.
Risk Factors
The main risk factors for Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) include:
- Sex
- Age
- Race
AS occurs in twice as many men as women, and in women, the symptoms of the disease are usually much milder. AS usually has its onset between the ages of 16 to 35. Race is significant with AS affecting mainly white-skinned people.
Causes
The precise cause for Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) is unknown at the current time, but there does appear to be a strong genetic link. Most (but not all) people with AS carry a gene known as HLA-B27. Only a small percentage of people carrying this gene will, go on to develop AS however, so a range of genes, or alternate genes, may be involved.
Diagnosis
To obtain a diagnosis for Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS), a doctor may perform one or more of the following tests:
- Physical examination,
- Medical history check,
- Blood test to measure the level of uric acid in the blood which, is usually raised during an attack but can sometimes be at normal levels in people experiencing an attack of Gout.
- Urine collection and testing to measure the amount of uric acid being expelled by the body.
- X-Rays of the affected joints, and/or,
- A fluid sample from the affected joint.
These tests will help to confirm a diagnosis, or help rule out other types of Arthritis.
Complications / Issues
Like all forms of Arthritis, if left untreated, the sufferer may experience severe pain and discomfort, which will impact on all facets of their life.
Treatment
Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) is a long-lasting (or chronic) disease, meaning that it. However, much can be done to control and reduce its effects.
An individual AS management and treatment program is usually discussed and planned by the doctor and person involved. Such treatment plans usually include a combination of medication, exercise, and education to help the patient understand the condition and know as much about it as possible.
As with all forms of Arthritis, treatment will provide the best results if:
- Sufferers make efforts to learn about and understand their condition.
- Sufferers learn techniques to help manage their arthritis.
- Sufferers should begin treatment as soon as possible to begin managing the condition, reduce pain and discomfort, minimise joint / bone deterioration, and help them maintain mobility.
- Sufferers should consult their doctor / rheumatologist regularly so that they can keep up to date with new treatments and management techniques.
Prevention
There is no way to prevent the onset of this form of Arthritis, however, the symptoms of the condition can be managed and treated to reduce pain, discomfort, and damage to joints and bones.
Arthritis Statistics
- Arthritis is a major cause of disability and pain. - There is currently no cure for Arthritis, but the symptoms can be managed and treated. - Most forms of Arthritis are thought to be a reaction of the body immune system against its own joint...
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (lupus)
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), also simply known as Lupus, is an auto-immune disease which means that a sufferer's own immune system attacks their own body tissues, causing the symptoms. That is, the person's own immune system turns against...
What is Arthritis ?
Arthritis is a disease that causes pain, stiffness, inflammation, and damage to joint cartilage. Joint Cartilage is flexible tissue that covers the ends of bones, enabling them to move against each another. When Arthritis causes damage to joint...
A Brief History of Arthritis
Arthritis has been around for millennia, and it is not solely a human condition. For instance, in dinosaur's ankle fossils, evidence of Osteoarthritis has been discovered, and the first known occurrences of arthritis in humans date back at least as...
Juvenile Arthritis
Juvenile Arthritis (JA), also known as Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) aa Symptoms Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) is often a persistent condition, and the exact symptoms and the severity of the symptoms differ from child to child....
|
|
|
|
|
-