This information is for anyone the people
with ankylosing spondylitis (AS).
Causes
Ankylosing spondylitis
Is an inflammation of the vertebral body that causes pain and stiffness in the joints. The reasons for this disease are not so far completely known.
It is assumed that there is an immunological disorder that is genetic.
Ankylosing spondylitis
Is one of the autoimmune diseases in which the immune
system goes against its own body and damages the muscles of the body.
Facts and figures
Ankylosing spondylitis
Is a chronic inflammatory rheumatic disease. Technically, anyone,
regardless of gender, can develop ankylosing spondylitis, although the symptoms were maybe less noticeable in women than in men.
The
disease is usually diagnosed between the ages of 15 and 35 years.
Symptoms:
Typical
symptoms and the course of the disease at a glance
The
first sign of the disease is deep-rooted inflammatory pain in the back and/or
buttocks, which is triggered by inflammation of the joints between the sacrum besides
the ilium.
Early-morning
stiffness and pain, wearing off or reducing during the day with exercise
Inflammation
of the tendon attachments (e.g. on the heel)
Possible
comorbidities
Involvement
of the entire spine through to stiffening
Irisitis
Psoriasis
Feeling
better after exercise and worse after rest
Weight
loss, especially in the early stages
Fatigue
or tiredness
Chronic
inflammatory bowel disease (e.g. Crohn's disease)
Inflammation
of the knee and ankle joints, often with an asymmetrical pattern of involvement
How does the physician make a diagnosis?
Questioning
of the patient about the back pain, further symptoms, concomitant illnesses, as
well as family disposition
Measurement
of the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP)
A blood
test to see if HLA-B27 is positive
Use of imaging procedures:
X-rays,
sonography, computed tomography, or magnetic resonance tomography and MRI
Where x-ray changes are not present on the other hand inflammation is visible on MRI or you have symptoms.
Around 7 in 10 people with non-radiographic ankylosing
spondylitis have visible inflammation in the sacroiliac joints or the spine
when an MRI of the back is carried out.
Around 3 in 10 may not have any inflammation visible on MRI despite symptoms of back pain. Some may never go on to develop visible inflammation on MRI.
The reasons for this are still not well
understood but maybe because of the sensitivity of MRI.
Treatment:
How is ankylosing spondylitis treated?
Medicines
from the class of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and
diclofenac (latest medicines for stiffness, Myonal tabs) are mainly prescribed
for the pain, which on the one hand inhibit the inflammation and alternatively
relieve back otherwise pelvic uneasiness if taken regularly.
Glucocorticoids
are preparations containing cortisone that have a strong anti-inflammatory
effect and have an immunosuppressive effect. H. they reduce certain reactions
of the immune system with the intention of z. B. no more new bone formation occurs.
Biologics
regulate the activities of the immune system. The inflammatory processes are
slowed down by a blockade of the tumor necrosis factor-α and prevent new
inflammations in the joints.
Exercise:
Exercise
is the single most important thing you can do to help yourself. To manage your (A.S)
well, it’s not enough to rely on medication. You also have to exercise for doing
daily tasks.
Any
exercise you decide to undertake needs to be regular, consistent, and kept up
over the long term. Accordingly, it’s significant to choose something you delight
in.
Tips for everyday life
Balanced,
low-meat diet, physical activity (e.g. Nordic walking, swimming,
physiotherapy), abstaining from nicotine.
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