Ankylosing Spondylitis Symptoms and Treatments

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease that mainly affects the joints of the spine. It occurs with greater incidence in men between 18 and 40 years of age. The first symptoms of the condition are chronic back pain of gradual onset. With morning stiffness that occurs at night increases with rest and decreases with physical activity called inflammatory back pain. In this condition, the vertebrae tend to fuse causing rigidity and limitation of movement. Patients may also experience peripheral arthritis. It presents with inflammation, pain, warmth and redness of joints, especially knees and ankles. Below we have discussed details about ankylosing spondylitis symptoms and treatments.

This condition can be debilitating and highly debilitating on a physical and emotional level. The treatment is multidisciplinary, through medication, physical therapy, and rehabilitation. A treatment that includes exercise such as swimming or yoga helps improve the quality of life of the patient. Unfortunately, once the treatment prescribed to the patient, 68% of them do not read, or do not understand the information of their therapy while 80% of the messages that the patient receives in consultation forget them.

It is extremely important that there is good communication between the rheumatologist and the patient. To advance the treatment, control the disease and continue with a normal routine. For this type of diseases, biological drugs allow patients to stop the activity of the disease and even reduce inflammation. Among the biotechnological treatments, there is one composed of a 100% human monoclonal antibody of rapid response. That improves physical function and allows the patient to recover their quality of life.

The adherence to treatment is very important because the recovery of a patient depends on compliance with medical recommendations regarding the dose and frequency in their day to day. Some of the reasons why the treatment does not met are forgetfulness, misinterpretation, and adverse events.

Patients with chronic diseases comply with only 50% of pharmacological treatments. When treatment did not met the costs and risk of adverse events increase, because sometimes the progression of the disease reaches irreversible levels in the bone structure.

Recommendations for spondylitis patients

Here are some guidelines and tips ankylosing spondylitis symptom and treatment. The deformity of the spine can prevent by sleeping on a hard bed placing a table under the mattress and a thin pillow. It is necessary to maintain proper postures in all activities of daily life work, study, homework, sports, etc. You should sleep on your side with your legs bent or face up with a pillow under the legs to counteract the effects of spondylitis.

Regularly practice exercises that help strengthen the abdominal and lumbar muscles. Swimming is especially recommended for those affected by this pathology because it exercises in a balanced way the musculature and joints of the back. If your work activity is sedentary, it is convenient to get up and walk every so often. When driving you should, also take breaks periodically to stretch your legs (for example every two hours) and adopt a correct posture at the wheel.

Treatment and prevention of AS

By unknown factors, it is impossible to prevent ankylosing spondylitis. However, through some changes in lifestyle, it is possible to prevent exacerbation of pain and decrease stiffness. It is recommended stretching exercises for the joints during the day, after consultation with your doctor well with the person who gives physiotherapy.

Some tips to limit pain:

• Sleep on a firm mattress with a flat pillow or without a pillow. 
• Sleeping face up or face down, alternating and avoiding as much as possible sleeping on the side. 
• Practice a soft sport, such as swimming. 
• Avoid tobacco
• Avoid sitting or standing for a long time without moving the joints. It is totally forbidden to carry heavy loads.
• Learn to protect your back by bending your knees when lifting objects.
• Maintaining a healthy weight, excess weight increases joint pain.
• Quitting smoking, smoking increases the damage to those who suffer from the disease.
• Relax or practice a relaxation activity, stress can exacerbate the symptoms.

Also, You can see this video for reducing pain

A risk factor is an event that increases the likelihood of suffering from a disease or condition. That does not imply the certainty that you will get any disease even when you have the risk factors associated with the disease. The associated risk factors are Age ranges from 20 to 40 years; however, there have been cases at very young ages. Family history, the probability of contracting the disease increases as a close relative suffers. Sex, there is evidence that affects in a small percentage the male, over the female. Gen bearer of the genetic marker HLA-B27. Intestinal inflammatory diseases suffering from ulcerative colitis disease.

Medical treatments

Many medications help control symptoms reduce inflammation and joint pain while preventing delayed or correct deformities. As ankylosing spondylitis evolves through outbreaks, some people will need temporary treatment for painful monthly periods. Others on the contrary will suffer a more active form of the disease, with a high risk of ankylosis. A protocol called background processing is applied. Often, unfortunately, the symptoms may reappear after the treatment stop. Through current treatments, most people with ankylosing spondylitis can lead a normal life.

Physiotherapy Treatments

The exercise is one of the important aspects of treatment because it helps maintain good posture and increases breathing capacity. All exercises that require special effort of the spine as well as contact sports should avoid. Some stretching exercises that strengthen the back and abdomen are especially beneficial. It is advisable to consult a physiotherapist to structure an exercise program adapted to both your pain and joint stiffness. Muscle strengthening exercises especially that strengthen the back are also beneficial for maintaining good posture.

Surgery

In the case of severe ankylosing spondylitis when the joints are badly damaged, surgical intervention may be necessary. To allow the replacement of the damaged joint, often the hip by a prosthetic joint. This procedure allows restoring mobility and relieving pain.

Complementary approaches

There are no studies that have demonstrated the effectiveness of plants, supplements or complementary approaches to specifically treat ankylosing spondylitis. However, various approaches, such as yoga therapy or massage can bring relief to the sick.