Ankylosing spondylitis is an inflammatory disease of the spine. It’s usually observed in young adults and is rated the category of diseases called spondyloarthropathies seronegative. This is a group of diseases that affect the vertebral column and joints, are associated with a particular histological type of tissue, known as HLA-B27. Other disorders in this category include Psoriatic arthritis and Reiter’s syndrome.
Ankylosing spondylitis is more common in men that women. The ratio of male to female participation is 3:1. In addition, the symptoms of the disease tend to be less severe among women. This is a genetic disease so, it has an unequal distribution among different racial groups. People of Japanese and Africans descent are less likely to be affected by ankylosing spondylitis. Indians of North America are more likely to be affected
* Signs and symptoms
Ankylosing spondylitis symptoms usually occurs in adolescence or twenties. Early symptoms may include pain in one or two buttocks. Back pain is common. The rear can also be very hard, especially in the morning. Exercising can reduce this rigidity. The initial stages of the disease are often misdiagnosed as patient’s symptoms tend to be episodic, with periods of freedom from pain occurring quite frequently.
When this condition progresses from the back to the peripheral joints, pain is usually asymmetric which affects the large joints first. Difficulty can affect the hips, and can also lead to deformity of the hip joints. Deterioration of posture in walking and sitting positions is quite common.
In addition to symptoms related to joints and there are other ankylosing spondylitis symptoms. Acute uveitis is very often associated with ankylosing spondylitis. Uveitis is an inflammation the eye, and is often associated with the same HLA tissue types seen in ankylosing spondylitis. Uveitis can result to sensitivity to light, blurred vision and pain in eyes.
* Tests and investigations
There are many tests that your doctor can conduct to determine if you have ankylosing spondylitis. Blood tests are often not very useful. The most useful test in the latter stages of the disease is X-rays. There are very explicit changes to the x-ray of the spine and hip joints, which are observed in ankylosing spondylitis The tests and investigations of the product is recommended through the spine surgeon in New Jersey. Through the X-rays, the surgeons will get the exact idea of damage occurred at the back of the patient.
* Treatment
There is no specific treatment for ankylosing AS. However, with the correct diagnosis, you can manage this disorder with some success. It ‘s important to maintain certain flexibility in the back and spine. exercising, especially in the morning, is very important to keep mobility of the spine and posture. Control of pain connected with joint deformity is important and can be done with drugs. Anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen, are commonly used to control the condition when inflammation is active.
If well managed with a combination of exercises and drugs, you can check arthritis symptoms very effectively. It is expected that the affected person will always some back stiffness, but you can avoid permanent disability and deformity with proper care. For this reason, is important to work closely with your doctor to develop a good management plan for the treatment of ankylosing AS.