Posted on February 2, 2008 in Latest News
Ankylosing spondylitis is a type of arthritis that mainly affects your spine, especially your lower back, but can also affect your joints. It causes swelling between your vertebrae, which are the disks that make up your spine, and in the joints between your spine and pelvis. It occurs because inflammation of your joints causes bone to be worn away and your body then attempts to repair this damage. This can lead to stiffness and reduced movement as some of the bones of the spine may fuse together.
The course of ankylosing spondylitis varies greatly from person to person. Although symptoms usually start to appear in late adolescence or early adulthood they can occur in children or much later.
Some possible symptoms include:
- Back pain and stiffness – you will probably find this is worse when you are resting and eases off when you move around
- Aching in your chest where your tendons attach to your ribs, and pain when you yawn or sneeze
- Pain in your Achilles tendon
- A general feeling of being unwell
- Weight loss
- Tiredness
- Inflammation of your eye – if your eye becomes very bloodshot and painful, you should see your GP straight away as it’s important to start treatment as early as possible
- Problems with your heart and lungs, but these are very rare – they are usually mild and can be treated.
Treatment
Almost all diseases break out because of individual carelessness. Therefore, here is what you can do to avoid spondylitis:
- Make sure that you keep your back as straight as possible when you are sitting
- Lie face down (prone) for 20 minutes a day to prevent your spine from becoming set in a bent position
- Sleep on a firm bed to stop your back from curving.
- However on the onset of this ailment, you will have to seek medical help. Painkillers that you would normally take for a headache may give you enough relief. However, if they don’t help, your GP may prescribe anti-inflammatory medicines.
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