Ankylosing Spondylitis: The Back Breaker
Ever felt that back joint ache? Or how about having a feeling of back stiffness? If yes, then you sure are a candidate patient with ankylosing spondylitis. Ankylosing spondylitis is best described as a rheumatic disease that causes arthritis of the spine and sacroiliac joints and in the long run can cause inflammation of the eyes, lungs, and heart valves. Ankylosing spondylitis or spondylitis attacks the spines and it is a chronic form of arthritis known to affect many people. There is no cure yet found for the disease and only early diagnostics and proper medication can be used to either slow down the process or reduce the risk of having your spine deformed or disabled. Some of the early sign of spondylitis are constant pain and stiffness of the lowerback, buttocks and hips that carry on for more than months. Ankylosing spondylitis often starts around the sacroiliac joints where the lowest major part of the spine joins the hip bone of the pelvic bone. Bones tend to overgrow due to Spondylitis, which may lead to joining of bones parts abnormally that are normally separate which is called bony "fusion." Bones on the neck, back or hips may impair a person's ability to perform routine activities is affected by fusion. Also, fusion of the ribs to the spine or breastbone may limit a person's ability to expand his or her chest when taking a deep breath. Ligaments and tendons that attach to bones are also affected by Spondylitis. Ankylosing Spondylitis is a systemic disease, which means symptoms may not be limited to the joints. Patients may also have a fever, fatigue, loss of appetite and eye inflammation or redness which occurs in about one-fourth of patients with spondylitis.
There are medications used to treat Ankylosing spondylitis. One of which is the drugs like aspirins and ibuprofen. This drug reduces the inflammation and pain experience by spondylitis patients. In severe cases of Ankylosing spondylitis, surgery is used as an option to replace the joints affected by the disease, most of the time located in the knees and hips. For those with severe flexion deformities or severe downward curvature of the spine, particularly in the neck, surgical correction is possible, although this procedure is considered risky for the Ankylosing spondylitis patient. In dealing with Ankylosing spondylitis, early intervention with occupational and physical therapy is applied to maintain function and minimized the deformity of the spine or bones. If you have Ankylosing spondylitis, you are encourage to sleep with your back straight on a hard mattress. It is also discouraged to place a pillow under the head, since it support neck fusion. Sudden impact like jumping or falling should be avoided by patient with Ankylosing spondylitis for the reason that their rigid necks or back will be easily get hurt. Physical therapry can be given to patients with Ankylosing spondylitis, but before undergoing such therapies it must be approved in advance by a rheumatologist, since movements that normally have great benefits on one's health, may harm a patient with Ankylosing spondylitis. |
