Have you ever heard of this, this…”Ankylosing Spondylitis?” Did I spell that correctly?
Anyway, no, I never heard of it either. Having seen and read this article written by Linda Andrews [whom I have never heard], I came to this sharing conclusion: You must read this….
Medically Reviewed on March 13, 2017 by Brenda B. Spriggs, MD, FACP
While many patients endure these painful symptoms for up to 10 years before receiving a proper diagnosis, those who work with their doctors to find proper treatment experience a much greater quality of life.
Experts agree that ankylosing spondylitis and other related diseases can run in families, so if you have relatives with a history of immune problems, you may be more likely to develop ankylosing spondylitis.
If you’re experiencing lasting pain for more than three months that feels worse in the morning and better with movement, you should talk to your doctor about ankylosing spondylitis as the potential cause of your symptoms.
Your doctor will perform a physical exam and ask you about your symptoms and whether you have a history of injuries in the affected joints. Your doctor may order imaging tests, such as an X-ray or MRI, to get a better look at what’s causing your pain. You can also expect a simple blood test to check for signs of inflammation, as well as to rule out other potential illnesses.
Your family doctor may initially diagnose you with inflammatory back pain, and refer you to a rheumatologist, a doctor who specializes in medicine related to joints and autoimmune diseases. As ankylosing spondylitis is not associated with mechanical issues that occur with injury-related back pain, it cannot be simply remedied with surgery and requires other therapies.
While scientists continue to look for a cure for ankylosing spondylitis, there are many effective therapies that can relieve pain, improve dexterity, and delay advanced complications, such as joint damage.
Doctors often rely on drugs to reduce the painful and destructive joint inflammation with ankylosing spondylitis. These include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, known as NSAIDs, and TNF, or tumor necrosis factor, blockers. TNF blockers are part of class of medications called biologics that suppress aspects of the body’s inflammatory response and may slow the progression of ankylosing spondylitis.
Many patients also benefit from regular exercises with a physical therapist. Patients often find that stretching and rage-of-motion exercises, such as yoga or pilates, can help relieve pain, increase flexibility in joints, and improve physical strength.
Ankylosing spondylitis may be a lifelong condition, but it doesn’t have to be a life-limiting one.
Working closely with your doctor about latest treatments and making smart lifestyle choices can help keep painful symptoms at bay so you can live your life as you see fit.
To learn more about Ankylosing Spondylitis, take a look at the information we have here at Healthline or make an appointment with your doctor.
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a form of arthritis that’s associated with chronic inflammation of the joints in the spine. The result is pain and stiffness in the back and hips — symptoms that tend to get worse as time passes. AS can also lead to complications such as a stooped posture, eye or bowel inflammation, and reduced lung or heart function.
If you have AS, there’s a lot you can do to fight back. Proper treatment helps ease pain and stiffness, and it might also prevent or delay complications. Treatment is generally most effective when started early, before the disease causes permanent joint damage.
Here’s an overview of the treatment options for AS. By working closely with your healthcare team, you can find the best combination of treatments for you.
Medication
Several types of medication are helpful for AS, but some may work better for you than others. You’ll probably wind up taking one or more of the following:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the most widely used type of medication for treating AS. They include:
NSAIDs can help relieve inflammation, pain, and stiffness. Long-acting ones taken at night may improve sleep as well.
High doses and long-acting drugs increase the chance for side effects, such as upset stomach, heartburn, or, less often, bleeding stomach ulcers or kidney disease. However, high doses may be needed to ease symptoms of the disease.
Corticosteroids
When NSAIDs alone don’t provide enough relief, doctors may prescribe a corticosteroid, a potent inflammation fighter.
Sometimes, a corticosteroid such as cortisone is injected into an inflamed joint for fast but temporary relief. Other times, an oral corticosteroid such as prednisone (Rayos) or prednisolone (Omnipred) is prescribed for a short time. This can help calm down a flare or get a new exercise program off to a strong start.
Corticosteroids usually aren’t taken for long due to the risk of numerous side effects.
Tumor necrosis factor inhibitors
Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors are genetically engineered drugs that block a particular cell protein that triggers inflammation. Examples include:
- adalimumab (Humira)
- etanercept (Enbrel)
- golimumab (Simponi)
- infliximab (Remicade)
These drugs — taken by injection or through an IV line — can help reduce joint pain, stiffness, and swelling. They may be effective even when NSAIDs aren’t. But like other drugs, they can have side effects. The most serious one is an increased risk for infections, especially tuberculosis.
Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs
Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) aren’t considered primary treatment options for AS, but they may be used in severe cases. They target the process that sets the disease in motion.
Sulfasalazine (Azulfidine) is the most commonly prescribed DMARD for AS. It may help control not only joint disease, but also the bowel inflammation that sometimes goes along with it. One rare but serious side effect is bone marrow suppression.
Exercise
Exercise plays a key role in managing AS. Done carefully and consistently, it can help lessen your pain and keep you moving. Your doctor might suggest working with a physical therapist to develop an exercise plan that’s suited to your needs. Two types of exercise are particularly important:
Strengthening exercises
Stronger muscles provide better support for painful joints. To perform strengthening exercises, you could use weights or weight machines. A physical therapist might also show you how to tighten and release your muscles without moving your joints so you can keep building strength even during disease flares.
Range-of-motion exercises
Stretching helps maintain joint flexibility and preserve good posture. A physical therapist can show you how to safely stretch your back even when it’s painful and stiff. In the long run, this can help ward off disability.
Posture training
Practicing good posture is another crucial element of treatment. In some people with AS, long-term inflammation causes bones of their spine to fuse together. Posture training may influence the pattern of fusion so that your spine doesn’t become locked into a hunched-over position. This affects not only how you look, but also how well you’re able to get around.
One component of good posture is awareness. You can learn how to check your posture in a full-length mirror. Done regularly, this helps you detect any changes early and increases the potential for correction. You can also start paying closer attention to how you sit, stand, and walk. This helps you break the habit of slouching and focus on holding yourself up straight.
In addition, you can do posture exercises. One of the simplest and best involves lying face-down on the floor or a firm bed for up to several minutes at a time.
Heat and cold therapy
Applying heat or cold to the affected area may make you more comfortable. Heat helps ease pain and soreness in stiff joints and tight muscles. A warm bath or shower is often a soothing choice. Or you might try a heating pad, hot pack, or heated washcloth.
Cold helps reduce swelling around inflamed joints. A cold pack can also numb a sore area when you’re in the midst of a flare.
Surgery
Surgery is not a primary treatment for AS. However, sometimes inflammation affects joints outside the spine. If you have joint damage to your hip or knee that’s severe enough to make it hard to get around, your doctor might recommend joint replacement surgery.
Rarely, an operation called an osteotomy may be performed to straighten the spine after it has fused into a stooped position. This surgery involves cutting and realigning bones of your spine. Because it’s considered high risk, osteotomy isn’t a common option.
Article Resources
Read more: https://www.healthline.com/health/ankylosing-spondylitis/treatment#ixzz51M4J3vR1
End of Story! I hoped you enjoyed reading and learning through this article. I certainly have!
Just sayin’…#buckroth