Dont Forget To Stretch
Try stretching before you get out of bed in the morning. Morning stretches will help with stiffness and start your day off on a good note. Try bringing your knees up to your chest and holding them there. Or sit on the edge of your bed and hang one leg over the side while keeping your other knee bent.
Increased Risk Of Heart Disease
People with AS may also be at an increased risk of developing some heart problems. Cardiovascular issues that AS contributes to include:
- aortitis
- cardiomyopathy
Taking preventive measures to reduce the risk of cardiovascular symptoms is important for people with AS.
Regular exercise and eating a healthful diet are part of a good AS treatment plan, and also help reduce the risk of heart diseases. It also helps people to avoid tobacco use and maintain a healthy weight.
Sore Throat For 6 Months
I have sore throat for around 6 months. I think it all started with some sort of allergy because I would only have it when I was at home, generally any dust would make it worse. I moved out and my throat stopped being so sore but its still bad.. I feel like it is very sensitive. I also feel like saliva/mucus is licking down the throat.. Sometimes it has a bad It gets worse if I drink something cold or hot or when I go outside when its cold . My doctor thought its post nasal dripping so she gave me some steroid drops, didnt help much. Now she thinks its a;Glandular fever.. I dont have any other symptoms apart from sore throat, and mucus going down it. The only other thing is that my lymph nodes in neck feel a bit tender. Also sometimes I feel like im producing way too much saliva.Few times there was some white stuff on sides of my throat. And also rarely get some small difficulties with swallowing but I think this might be just caused by super stress that im going through I am non-smoking person.
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Work With A Physical Therapist
A physical therapist can be a great partner as you navigate your condition. He or she can evaluate your strengths and weaknesses and tailor a program to help you manage pain and stiffness. You can also ask your physical therapist about such as things as what sleep positions are best to help manage hip pain. The ultimate goal is for you to be independent. I always tell people my role is to guide you and show you what to do, Boeme says, but I dont want to see you forever.
Neurological Complications: Cauda Equina Syndrome
Rarely, people with advanced ankylosing spondylitis may have problems resulting from the scarring of the bundle of nerves at the base of the spine, called cauda equine syndrome. This condition can have a significant impact on a persons quality of life, and can cause urinary retention and/or incontinence, loss of bowel control, sexual dysfunction, and problems causing pain and weakness of the legs. If you have long-standing AS and are suffering with some of these symptoms, your rheumatologist will be able to refer you to a neurologist for consultation.
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If You Have Knee Pain With A Formal As Diagnosis:
If you already have an AS diagnosis, its possible that your knee pain could be due to AS, but it could also be due to a different health issue.
For example, someone in their twenties or thirties who is physically active may have an injury-related pain syndrome like tendinitis or bursitis . Someone middle-aged is more likely to start to develop osteoarthritis in their joints from age-related wear and tear even if they also have a type of inflammatory arthritis.
A thorough physical exam, medical history, and various imaging tests as needed may be necessary to determine whether your knee pain is due to AS or a different health issue.
How Does As Affect The Knees
Although AS is most common in the spine, any large joint can be affected usually in an asymmetric distribution. This means that only one knee might hurt, as opposed to both knees. The pain is usually dull, often described by patients as soreness. Its associated with stiffness that is worse in the morning and usually more intense after inactivity, he says. Pain and stiffness tend to improve with physical activity over an hour or more, Dr. Loupasakis says. The knee may feel warm to the touch and look swollen.
Still, how knee pain in AS feels is subjective and varies from patient to patient, says Erika Di Porto, DPT, MSPT, CI, department chairperson for the School of Health Sciences at Miami Dade College Medical Campus in Miami. The joint hurts. The pain envelops the muscles, tendons, and the joints, says Dr. Di Porto.
The pain in peripheral joints like the knee can be caused by arthritis or enthesitis , says Dr. Loupasakis. In arthritis, the knee can be swollen, warm, and tender. Enthesitis typically involves the Achilles tendons and the heels. But it can involve almost any part of the body at sites where tendons and ligaments attach to bones , he says. With enthesitis, the knee is not swollen but is tender to pressure, mostly at the front part around and below the kneecap.
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What Causes Ankylosing Spondylitis
About 95% of people who have AS have a variation of the human leukocyte antigen-B gene . This changed, or mutated, gene produces a protein called HLA-B27 that increases disease risk. However, most people with a mutated HLA-B gene dont get AS. In fact, 80% of children who inherit the mutated gene from a parent with AS dont develop the disease. More than 60 genes have been linked to the condition.
Having one of these conditions may also increase your risk:
Myth Or Fact There Is Little I Can Do To Help Myself
This statement could not be further from the truth.
Patients who are able to engage in an active lifestyle, maintain a regular exercise program and body weight, refrain from smoking, and keep up with clinic appointments and treatments will have a better outcome. A firm mattress may help to decrease morning stiffness. Some patients like to exercise in a pool or swim for exercise as it is easier on the joints.
Studies have shown a diet high in omega-3 fatty acids can reduce joint inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis patients, and there is some evidence it might be helpful in ankylosing spondylitis, as well.
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What Are The Treatment Options For Ankylosing Spondylitis
Ankylosing spondylitis is a type of arthritis that primarily affects the spine and causes inflammatory back pain. Additionally, the condition affects the joints in the shoulders, hips, ribs, heels and other joints. It is a systemic disease, which means that it is not just limited to the bones and joints. AS causes swelling of the spinal joints , leading to severe and chronic pain, stiffness and discomfort. Depending on the signs and symptoms and medical condition of the patient, AS may be managed conservatively or surgically.
A specific life expectancy for patients with AS has not been established. However, proper diagnosis and treatment of AS are important not only to slow or stop joint progression and possible disability but also to reduce widespread inflammation in the body that can lead to complications such as heart disease.
Exercise For As Knee Pain Treatment
Exercise, especially with help from a physical therapist, can also be key in keeping pain at bay. Physical therapy is crucial to maintaining range of motion and preventing the development of contractures, where the joint gets stiff permanently, says Dr. Loupasakis. Stretching exercises are also shown to be effective, he says. Check out these daily stretches for AS.
He recommends swimming or water exercises, since the water makes it easier to exercise with less strain on your joints. He also suggests postural training, where you learn how to maintain proper posture to help prevent you from developing stiff joints.
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Myth Or Fact If Tnf Blockers Don’t Work There Aren’t Any Other Options
Wrong, a myth for sure. TNF blockers are effective for many patients with ankylosing spondylitis , but there are still other options for patients who do not respond or cannot use them.
Local injections of corticosteroids, such as methylprednisolone , can be used intermittently if there is evidence of local joint swelling. Long-term, chronic use of corticosteroids is discouraged due to serious side effects. Oral use of corticosteroids is also discouraged.
Sulfasalazine, an oral disease-modifying drug often used in rheumatoid arthritis, may be used in AS patients with symptoms in other areas besides just the spine. In general, opioid pain medications should be avoided due to side effects and concern for addiction.
Approximately 20% to 40% of patients do not respond well to standard of care biologic drugs, and there are few other options.
In 2016, the FDA approved Cosentyx for AS, offering a totally new type of treatment option.
Possible Complications: How Is A Person Affected
Although ankylosing spondylitis and related diseases , sometimes collectively called spondylitis for short, are conditions primarily affecting the spine, other areas of the body can also be involved. Spondylitis does not follow the same course in everyone, even among family members. That said, there are some complications or symptoms that are more common than others. For instance, inflammation of the eye, or iritis, is very common, while neurological symptoms are very rare, and shoulder involvement appears somewhere in the middle. The chronic pain often caused from the inflammation can vary from person to person and range from mild to very severe.
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How Does Ankylosing Spondylitis Cause Spinal Stiffening
Although the origin of ankylosing spondylitis is still unknown, we do know a lot about how it progresses and why it causes spinal stiffening.
- When AS first appears, osteitis occurs around the edges of the joints.
- In these areas, special cells called inflammatory cells begin to increase in number. These inflammatory cells produce chemicals that damage the bone, causing them to begin to dissolve and weaken around the edge of each joint.
- Damage to the bone in this area starts a process where the body continuously tries to repair the damage with scar tissue and new bone tissue.
- As the process continues, the bone becomes weaker and weaker. When the inflammation finally burns out and begins to disappear, the body responds by producing calcium deposits around the area of the damage, attempting to heal the bone.
- As the bone heals itself, calcium deposits spread to the ligaments and disks between the vertebrae for some unclear reason. This is what leads to a fusion of the spine .
What Questions Should I Ask My Doctor
If you have ankylosing spondylitis, you may want to ask your healthcare provider:
- Why did I get ankylosing spondylitis?
- What is the best treatment for ankylosing spondylitis?
- What are the treatment risks and side effects?
- What lifestyle changes should I make to manage the condition?
- Is my family at risk for developing ankylosing spondylitis? If so, should we get genetic tests?
- Am I at risk for other types of arthritis or back problems?
- What type of ongoing care do I need?
- Should I look out for signs of complications?
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Ankylosing spondylitis is a form of arthritis that mostly affects the spine. Its a lifelong condition without a cure. However, exercise, medications and lifestyle changes can help manage symptoms so you can enjoy a long, productive life. Its rare for someone with AS to become severely disabled. Talk to your healthcare provider about the steps you can take to stay active and manage symptoms.
Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 07/21/2020.
References
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Axial Spondyloarthritis Vs Peripheral Spondyloarthritis: Whats The Difference
Ankylosing spondylitis is a type of spondyloarthritis , which is an umbrella term for different types of arthritis including psoriatic arthritis that have some traits and symptoms in common. There are two main types of SpA:
- Axial spondyloarthritis
- Peripheral spondyloarthritis
In axial spondyloarthritis, the inflammation is more confined to the spine, and occasionally the shoulders and hips, says Konstantinos Loupasakis, MD, a rheumatologist at MedStar Washington Hospital Center in Washington, D.C. More distal joints, such as the knees, may also be affected although this is more commonly seen in peripheral spondyloarthritis.
Within AxSpA, there are two categories:
- Ankylosing spondylitis is considered radiographic AxSpA, which means that evidence of joint damage is visible on X-rays.
- Non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis is essentially the same condition, but without joint damage being visible on X-rays.
A non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis diagnosis can be made if the patient has sacroiliac changes on an MRI or is positive for the HLA-B27 gene with symptoms of inflammatory back pain , says Neal Birnbaum, MD, a rheumatologist, former president of the American College of Rheumatology, and founder of Pacific Rheumatology Associated Medical Group in San Francisco.
Peripheral spondyloarthritis means that inflammation and joint pain affects the limbs more than the spine. Sites include the knees, as well as the hands, wrists, elbows, shoulders, and ankles.
What Are The Signs And Symptoms
The most common early sign and symptom of ankylosing spondylitis is pain or stiffness in the lower back, which can be worse in the mornings or after periods of inactivity.Additionally, symptoms may improve after activity or exercise. Back pain from other causes tends to worsen with exercise, but people with ankylosing spondylitis can feel worse without regular exercise.
Neck pain and fatigue are other common symptoms.
Other possible symptoms may include fever, loss of appetite, weight loss, inflammation of the bowels or eyes. Compression fractures and heart problems are possible complications of the condition.
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The Stages Of Ankylosing Spondylitis
AS often slowly moves up from the base of your spine to your neck. Imaging tests like MRIs can show how serious it is based on how much of your spine is affected. The changes in your spine can be hard for doctors to spot in the first few years, then become more visible.
If the inflammation from AS gets worse, it may affect other parts of your body besides your spine. It often happens in the entheses, the spots where ligaments and tendons attach to your bones. You might have pain in your:
- Ribs
- Thighs
- Heels
You can get other inflammatory conditions, too. About a third of people with AS have eye inflammation at least once, often in the iris. Symptoms include:
- Pain
- Blurred vision
- Sensitivity to light
If this happens at any time over the course of your AS, get care right away to prevent vision loss.
Up to 70% of people with AS have inflammation in their digestive tract, though many don’t notice any symptoms. Up to 10% get an inflammatory bowel disease like Crohnâs or ulcerative colitis. About 10% of those with AS get psoriasis.
Treatment as AS progresses: NSAIDs can have side effects, including liver and kidney damage. So be sure to take them exactly as your doctor prescribes. If you don’t get relief from them, your doctor might suggest a stronger drug called a biologic.
The first one you’ll try is likely to be a tumor necrosis factor inhibitor like:
If TNFis donât help enough, your doctor may try a biologic called an IL-17 inhibitor, like ixekizumab or secukinumab .
Back Pain And Stiffness
Back pain;and stiffness are usually the main symptoms of AS.;You may find:
- the;pain gets better with exercise, but does not improve or gets worse with rest
- the pain and stiffness is worse in the morning and at night;;you may wake up regularly during the night because of the pain
- you have pain in;the area around your;buttocks
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What The Difference Between Cervical Spondylosis And Spondylitis Spondylolysis And Spondylolisthesis
Cervical spondylosis is a degeneration or breakdown of the spine and disks in your neck. It is a general term for the situation that occurs in your neck area. It is an arthritis of the joints between the vertebrae in the neck.
Spondylitis is inflammation of one or more vertebrae. Itis means inflammation. Ankylosing spondylitis is a type of arthritis in your spine. Ankylosing spondylitis can result in vertebrae fusing together.
Spondylolysis is a physical break in the mid-arch area of a section of vertebrae called the pars interarticularis. The pars interarticularis are the horizontal pieces on the sides of the main body of each vertebrae the wings on the body of each vertebrae. This condition is usually caused by injury, trauma or overuse by hyperextension . Spondylolysis usually occurs in the lumber spine.
Cervical spondylolisthesis is a specific condition in which one vertebra slips forward over the vertebrae beneath it. A fracture or injury of the vertebrae of the spine can cause the vertebra to start to shift out of place.
Devastating Ankylosing Spondylitis Effects On The Body
Arthritis conditions are known to be painful and uncomfortable, but these diseases are most often associated with older people.
One particular type of arthritic condition, however, has been linked to younger children and adolescents. This arthritic condition, which is classified as a rheumatic and autoimmune disorder, is known as Ankylosing Spondylitis.
Parents need to understand what is Ankylosing Spondylitis. Knowing about the symptoms of Ankylosing Spondylitis help parents understand what to look for and when to take action.
When diagnosed at a younger age, it is usually referred to as Juvenile Ankylosing Spondylitis.
The disorder can cause many unpleasant symptoms to develop and may also lead to deformities in certain parts of the body. The physical symptoms of Ankylosing Spondylitis can soon have a patient struggle dealing with mental illness, due to the limitations that it causes.
Thus, early intervention is very important. In this post, we will look at the Ankylosing Spondylitis effects on the human body.
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