Ankylosing Spondylitis

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Ankylosing Spondylitis
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Ankylosing Spondylitis

• Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a type of
  arthritis that affects the spine. Ankylosing
  means stiff or rigid, spondyl means spine, and
  litis refers to inflammation.The disease is
  caused by inflammation of the spine and large
  joints, resulting in stiffness and pain. The
  disease can be executed in erosion at the joint
  between the spine and the hip bone. This is
  called the sacroiliac joint.It can also cause
  bony bridges to form between vertebrae in the
  spine, fusing those bones. Bones in the chest may
  also fuse.

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Who is at risk for ankylosing spondylitis?

• Ankylosing spondylitis is more common among
  people who ages 17 to 35. It can also occur in
  children and adults as well. The disease affects
  more young men than women. It tends to run in
  families.

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How is ankylosing spondylitis diagnosed?

• The process starts with a medical history and a
  physical exam. Tests may also be done, like
• X-ray - This test uses a small amount of
  radiation to make images of internal tissues,
  bones, and organs onto film.
• Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR or sed
  rate) - This test looks at how quickly red blood
  cells fall to the bottom of a test tube. When
  swelling and inflammation are present, the
  blood's proteins clump together and become
  heavier than normal. They fall and settle faster
  at the bottom of the test tube. The faster the
  blood cells fall, the more severe the
  inflammation. Up to 70 percent of people with
  ankylosing spondylitis have a high ESR.
• Genetic testing - Genetic testing is done to find
  if a person carries a copy of an altered gene for
  a disease.

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What are the symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis?

• Symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis tend to go
  away and come back with periods of time. Symptoms
  of the disease can occur a bit differently in
  each person. The symptoms may include
• Back pain, usually most severe at night during
  rest
• Early morning stiffness
• Stooped posture in response to back pain (bending
  forward tends to relieve the pain)
• Straight and stiff spine
• Unable to take a deep breath, if the joints
  between the ribs and spine are affected
• Appetite loss

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What are the symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis?
Continue

• Weight loss
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Anemia
• Joint pain
• Mild eye inflammation
• Organ rupture, like to the heart, lungs, and eyes
• Skin rashes
• Gastrointestinal illness (such as Crohn's or
  ulcerative colitis)
• The symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis can be
  like other health conditions. Make sure to see
  your doctor for a diagnosis.

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How is Ankylosing Spondylitis treated?

• Treatment will further depend on your symptoms,
  your age, and your general health. It will also
  depend on how severe the condition is. The goal
  of treatment is to reduce pain and stiffness,
  prevent deformities, and maintain as normal a
  lifestyle as possible. Treatment may include
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications , to
  reduce pain and inflammation
• Tumor-necrosis-factor blockers (biologic
  medications), to reduce inflammation and swelling
• Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs),
  such as sulfasalazine, to decrease inflammation
  and control AS
• Short-term use of corticosteroids, to reduce
  inflammation

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How is Ankylosing Spondylitis treated?
Continue

• Short-term use of muscle relaxants and pain
  relievers, to relieve severe pain and muscle
  spasms
• Surgery should be done to replace a joint, place
  rods in the spine, or remove parts of the
  thickened and hardened bone
• Maintaining of proper posture
• Regular exercise, including exercises that
  strengthen back muscles
• Talk with your doctor about the risks, benefits,
  and possible side effects of all medications.

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