What is ankylosing spondylitis? Ankylosing spondylitis is a painful and progressive type of arthritis, where some or all of the joints and the bones of the spine rub together.
This disease cannot be cured and symptoms can range from Back pain and stiffness, long-term disability.
It is estimated that only in Europe ankylosing spondylitis affects the 0,3 al 1,8 % of the population.
Index
Causes of ankylosing spondylitis
The cause of ankylosing spondylitis is unknown., although researchers have shown that people with this disorder are more likely to have a certain genetic marker called HLA-B27.
If there is a family history of ankylosing spondylitis in parents or siblings and the person is also positive for the HLA marker- B27, there is a probability of 20% for that individual to develop ankylosing spondylitis if he or she is under the age of 40 year old.
The odds are much lower in those over 40 years. What's more, some researchers are exploring an association between certain bacteria and ankylosing spondylitis.
Symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis
It is important to note that not everyone develops the following symptoms, but these are possibilities depending on the severity of the condition:
- Stiffness and pain in the lower back, buttocks and hips when waking up in the morning or after a period of inactivity.
- Back pain is relieved with movement and exercise.
- Difficulty flexing the spine.
- Pain in the hips and difficulty walking.
- Pain in the heels and soles of the feet.
- stooped posture.
- Fever.
- Loss of appetite, weightloss.
- Fatigue, decreased energy.
- Swelling of the eyes, redness and pain.
- Sensitivity to light.
- Difficulty breathing deeply (because chest expansion is difficult and painful).
- Heart failure.
See a doctor if:
- You develop persistent lower back pain.
- You notice that you feel pain and stiffness in your back in the morning but it improves with movement and exercise..
- You have any difficulty or pain when taking a deep breath.
- You have redness or inflammation in the eye, or if you are abnormally sensitive to light.
- You develop an unexplained fever, loss of appetite, weight loss or tiredness.
Diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis
There is no definitive test for the diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis.. Most doctors wait to see X-ray evidence of the inflammation of the joint between the sacrum (the triangular bone in the lower back) and the ilium (the largest bone in the upper hip), as well as any of the following signs:
- Inflammatory pain in the back (gradual start, lasting more than three months, with stiffness and pain that is worse in the morning, but it gets better with movement).
- Reduced mobility of the spine.
- Decreased ability to expand the chest.
Your doctor can prescribe a large number of blood tests that may suggest ankylosing spondylitis..
For instance, if you suffer from ankylosing spondylitis, you likely have a higher erythrocyte sedimentation rate (the rate at which red blood cells settle out of the blood) and increased levels of protein C- reactive (a protein that is not normally found in the blood but can appear in cases of inflammation). [source]
These two tests are general indications of inflammation in your body.. Although you may have anemia and your blood probably won't show rheumatoid factor (a common antibody in rheumatoid arthritis) or anti antibodies- nuclear (common in lupus and other similar conditions).
About the 95 % of people with ankylosing spondylitis are positive for the HLA-B27 marker.
Treatments for ankylosing spondylitis
If you are diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis, it will be very important that you seek the help of a physical therapist.
The regular exercise and efforts to maintain mobility can make the difference between preserving your movement and your independence, or stay weakened.
The breathing exercises deep can help keep the rib cage flexible. Swimming is an excellent form of exercise for people with spondylitis because it helps maintain the proper extension of the spine..
For smokers, it is advisable to quit tobacco, due to possible breathing problems associated with ankylosing spondylitis that can shorten your life expectancy.
Good posture is important. Patients must choose chairs, tables and other work surfaces that help prevent slumped or hunched postures. Avoid lifting your legs, as it can lead to fusion of the hip or knee in the bent position.
Patients are encouraged to sleep on a hard mattress with their back straight. They are also advised not to sleep on multiple pillows with their necks flexed forward..
Avoid sudden impacts, like jumps or falls, there is a greater chance of serious injury than in a person without this condition.
During outbreaks of the disease, you may need to take anti-aging medications.- inflammatory. If the degree of the disease is severe, may require occasional steroid injections directly into the most inflamed joints.
The drugs sulfasalazine and methotrexate help some people with ankylosing spondylitis.. Los medicamentos más nuevos son los llamados bloqueadores TNF – etanercept, adalimumab y golimumab. They may also be recommended for some people with ankylosing spondylitis..
If you develop severe hip arthritis with this condition, you may need surgery to replace your hip. If you develop an inflammation of the eye, you will be given steroid eye drops.
How to prevent ankylosing spondylitis
There are no known ways to prevent ankylosing spondylitis.. The condition is due in part to genetics, although you may not be aware of someone in your family having similar problems.
