Ankylosing spondylitis

ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS

Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic inflammation that mainly affects joints in the spine and the sacroilum in the pelvis, and can cause eventual fusion of the spine. Sacroiliac joint is a joint in the bony pelvis that is between the sacrum and ilium of the pelvis. It is joined together by a ligament.  The spine is supported by the sacrum. The joint is very strong and bears the weight of synovial joint. The inflammation in sacroiliac joint causes stiffness and pain in the spine

CAUSES

 Genetic factors play a greater role in the causes of ankylosing spondylitis that is thought to pass from one parent to the off spring and affects particular ethnic individuals.

Ankylosing spondylitis may be started by bacteria or viruses which in turn activate an immune system which will not stop even after the infection has been contained causing autoimmune disease which a condition where  the leucocytes attack the body  tissues.

Men are more likely to have ankylosing spondylitis associated with the inflammation of the spine, pelvis, chest wall, and shoulders while women will have inflammation of the pelvis, hips, knees, and wrists.

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SIGN AND SYMPTOMS

Early symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis usually begin in early adulthood. They begin gradually and include:

• Tiredness
•  back pain
• Stiffness in the low back
• hip pain and stiffness
• The pain usually begins low and slowly progresses up the spine

·         neck pain

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• morning stiffness and pain relieved by movement and not by rest
• Fatigue
• Weight loss

·          Cannot expand the chest

·           Motion spine and hips is limited

·          Shoulders, knees, and ankles experience pain and swelling

·         Heel pain  Fever

·         Loss of appetite

·         Weight loss

·          Inflammation of the eyes

TREATMENT

There are medicines that the doctor can prescribe to you like the nonstreroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Exercising daily will help to form a good posture and flexibility and some point reduces pain. Surgery is an option in very serve case which involve joint replacement.