Ankylosing spondylitis

Ankylosing means ioints have become stuck together due to injury and disease.
Spondylitis means inflammation of the spine. In ankylosing spondylitis, inflammation has caused damage to the spine (lower back) and they become stuck together which causes inflexibility / stiffness to the spine. Pelvis, shoulder and hips are also involved.

Causes: the exact cause is unknown.

1. Genetic factor: people with a gene called HLA-B27 cause the immune system to harm their body by causing inflammation to the spine.
2. Family history of ankylosing spondylitis.

Risk factors of ankylosing spondylitis:

1. Men are more prone to suffer from ankylosing spondylitis as compared to women.
2. People before age 30s have chances to get this problem.
3. Family history of ankylosing spondylitis.
4. Frequent gastrointestinal infection.

Signs and symptoms:

1. Early symptoms are a dull ache in the lower abdomen with stiffness of the lower back.
2. Stiffness mainly in the morning after waking up and feels only on one side and then disappears.
3. Pain becomes chronic and can be felt on both sides of the lower back or lasts for 3 months.
4. Neck pain may occur in some people.
5. Difficulty in moving and bending of back due to stiffness of the spine. Damage to the spine may cause abnormal posture of the body like where the back bent forward.
6. Pain in the hip joint, shoulder joint, ankles and chest may occur due to inflammation of the joints.
7. Abdominal pain may occur due to inflammation of the intestinal lining (gut lining) and causes bleeding in the stool.

Complications:

1. Spines become very weak and fragile.
2. Abnormal posture of the spine due to damage in the spine.
3. Eyes can get affected in ankylosing spondylosis and may cause blurry vision and inflammation.
4. Heart valves may affect and can cause shortness of breath.

Diagnosis:

• X-ray
  MRI
  Blood test – HLAB27
• ESR
  
  Management:
  Exercise plays a very important role in the management of ankylosing spondylosis.
  Healthy nutritional diet should be done which includes calcium, vitamin b12, vitamin D, zinc
  etc.
  Apply a heat pad or ice pack to the back which reduces the pain.
  Do not smoke.
  Do not consume alcohol.

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