Ankylosing spondylitis, or ankylosing spondylitis - an inflammatory disease, which can cause fusion of some of the vertebrae. This merger makes the backbone less flexible and can lead to hunched back. If struck ribs can be difficult to breathe deeply.

Ankylosing spondylitis affects men more often than women. Signs and symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis usually begin to appear in early childhood. Inflammation can also occur in other parts of the body, most often - in the eyes. Ankylosing spondylitis can not be cured, but treatment can relieve pain and alleviate symptoms.

Symptoms

Early signs and symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis may include pain and stiffness in the lower back and hips, especially in the morning and after a rest. Over time, symptoms may worsen, improve or completely disappear at irregular intervals.

The most exposed areas are:

• the joint between the base of the spine and pelvis;
• vertebrae in the lower part of the neck;
• areas where tendons and ligaments join bones, primarily of the spine, but sometimes at the rear of the heels;
• partition between the sternum and the ribs;
• hip and shoulder joints.

  

When you need to see a doctor

Consult your doctor if you have pain in your back or buttocks, which looms slowly, or worse in the morning you awaken during sleep in the second half of the night, especially if the pain decreases with exercise and amplified alone. Immediately seem ophthalmologist if you have any pain and redness of the eyes, severe sensitivity to light or blurred vision.

Causes

The exact cause of ankylosing spondylitis is unknown, although genetic factors likely to influence. Especially people who have a gene called HLA-B27, at high risk of developing ankylosing spondylitis.

Risk factors

• Paul. Men are three times more likely to suffer from this disease than women.
• Age. The disease usually develops in late adolescence or in young adults.
• Heredity. Most people with the disease gene is present spondylitis HLA-B27. But many people with this gene never develop the disease.

Complications

In severe cases of ankylosing spondylitis, a new bone as a result of the body's attempt to heal. This new bone gradually fills the space between the vertebrae, and finally connects parts of the vertebrae together. These parts become stiff spine and stiffness. The merger of the vertebrae can also make the rib cage stiffness, loss of lung function.

Other complications may include:

• Inflammation of the eye (uveitis). Uveitis can cause eye pain, photophobia and blurred vision. When these symptoms should immediately seek medical attention.
• Compression fractures. Some people have a thinning of the bones in the early stages of ankylosing spondylitis. The weakened vertebrae may crumble, increasing slouch. Vertebral fractures can sometimes damage the spinal cord and nerves that run through the spine.
• Heart disease. Ankylosing spondylitis can cause problems with the aorta, the largest artery of the body. Inflamed aorta may increase to the point that it distorts the aortic valve in the heart, disrupting its function.

  

Screening and diagnosis

During the physical examination, the doctor may ask you to bend your back in different directions. It can measure the circumference of the chest after inhalation and exhalation after to compare the difference. Your doctor may also try to reproduce the pain, pressing on certain parts of the pelvis or bringing your legs into position. He may ask you to stand up straight, to the heel and rested his head against the wall.

An X-ray will help the doctor determine the changes in the joints and bones, although at an early stage of ankylosing spondylitis visible signs of the disease can not be. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) allows you to get more detailed pictures of bone and soft tissue. MRI can determine ankylosing spondylitis early.

Special laboratory tests to determine ankylosing spondylitis exists. Certain blood tests can show markers of inflammation, but inflammation may be caused by different problems. You can donate blood to the gene HLA-B27, but most people with this gene, there is ankylosing spondylitis.

Treatment

The goal of treatment - to relieve the pain and stiffness, and prevent or delay complications and deformity of the spine. The treatment gives the most effective results when the disease has not yet caused irreversible damage to the joints.

Medication

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as naproxen and indomethacin, are appointed at ankylosing spondylitis more often. They can reduce inflammation, pain and stiffness. However, these drugs can cause stomach bleeding.

If these medications do not help, your doctor may prescribe blockers of tumor necrosis factor (TNF). TNF - a cellular protein, which acts as an inflammatory agent in rheumatoid arthritis. TNF blockers act on this protein, reducing pain, stiffness, helping sensitive or swollen joints. These preparations are administered subcutaneously or through a dropper. TNF blockers can reactivate latent tuberculosis and cause some neurological problems.

Physiotherapy

Exercise therapy can relieve pain, increase physical strength and flexibility. Specialist in physical therapy show special exercises. Exercises range of motion and stretching can help maintain flexibility in the joints and maintain good posture. The correct position during sleep and walk and exercises for abdominal and back muscles will also help posture.

Transaction

Most people with the disease spondylitis surgery is not required. However, your doctor may recommend surgery if you have severe pain or joint damage, or if the hip joint is so damaged that it must be replaced.

Lifestyle and home remedies

If you smoke, stop smoking. Smoking is bad for your health in general, but it creates additional problems for people with the disease spondylitis. Depending on the severity of the condition, ankylosing spondylitis can affect the mobility of the rib cage. Damage to the lungs due to smoking can further impair the ability to breathe.

Over time, your condition may vary, and for the life you may experience worsening and remission. But most people can lead productive lives despite ankylosing spondylitis. You can join a support group, which brings together people with the same diagnosis, both online and in person, to share experiences and support each other.