In previous years, Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) has been known as poker back, rheumatoid spondylitis, and Marie-Strumpells spondylitis. However, more thorough research has established the disease as a member of the family of diseases that attack the spine. It is actually arthritis in the spine. However, Ankylosing spondylitis symptoms are highly variable and its definite cause is yet to be determined.
Causes
The hallmark of Ankylosing spondylitis is unrelieved and persistent pain in the bony areas of the spine. It may only cause episodes of passing back pain on some individuals. The pain varies on the degree of spinal stiffness. Pain and stiffness in the back and bent posture are brought by the ongoing swelling and irritation on the spinal joints. In severe cases, the affected joints fuse together leading to severely limited mobility.
The disease may also be accounted to heredity. Just as we inherit our traits to our parents, we may also inherit certain tissue types. Research has shown that an inherited a HLA-B27 tissue type is related to the development of the disease. While not exactly causing AS, it promotes the development of AS.
The Affected Areas
The common areas affected by Ankylosing spondylitis include the sacroiliac joints that are found on the area of the buttocks and the thoracic spine which covers the lower and mid-back areas. Pain may also be experienced in the cervical spine or neck area. The disease also affects non-spinal joints such as those in the hips, knees and shoulders. However, the involvement of small joints such as those in the hands, wrists and ankles is unlikely.
Warning signs
Experiencing persistent back pain especially during the night, back stiffness that lasts for extended periods, pain and tenderness in the ribs, shoulder blades, hips, thighs, shins and other areas associated with the spinal column and recurring inflammation, redness and slight sensitivity of the eyes are clear indications of AS. Immediately seek medical help to prevent the disease from causing changes within the spinal column. There are actually 24 different spinal vertebrae in the back. Stiffness of just two vertebrae can limit function and cause progressive disability when not checked of treated.
Demographics
The number of Ankylosing spondylitis sufferers ranges between 150,000 and 300,000 in the US. Statistics have shown that more cases where tallied on men, showing that the disease is three times more likely to happen in men than in women. People at any age can develop this disease, most cases were observed between the ages of 15 and 40. While severe cases are observed in older patients, the Ankylosing spondylitis symptoms that are observed in younger people are slightly different. Symptoms in younger patients were observed to begin from feeling pain around the heels, knees and hips rather than pain in the spine.
Managing Ankylosing spondylitis
When your doctor thinks that you are already suffering from Ankylosing spondylitis, he or she will immediately refer you to a rheumatologist. Ankylosing spondylitis symptoms and causes are more thoroughly evaluated rheumatologists as they specialize on the diagnosis and treatment of diseases that concern joints, muscles and bones. If your eyes are already affected, you may also be referred to an ophthalmologist. As of today, there are no definite treatments for the disease. However, therapy sessions and medications are given to manage the pain and maintain movement and function on affected areas. What a patient can do is learn as much as he can about the disease and talk to people who specializes in arthritis care to design a treatment that might work for his case.
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