Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a lifelong condition, also called the Bechterew disease. It is a rare type of arthritis that causes stiffness and pain in your spine. It often starts in the lower back, and it can spread to your neck or damage your joints in other parts of the body.
There is no cure for Ankylosing spondylitis, but there is medication and exercise that could help your symptoms. If you are interested in what could help with this arthritis, you should check out the ankylosing spondylitis medications in Brisbane performed by arthritisCARE or talk to a local doctor.
Ankylosing spondylitis can be very painful
Symptoms of Ankylosing Spondylitis
It is important to know the symptoms of this disease, so you can catch it early. AS will often start in the sacroiliac joints, where the spine connects to the pelvis. It can also affect places where the ligaments and tendons attach to bones. In some cases, it could cause your vertebrae to fuse together. There is a chance that you will experience stiffness or pain in the:
- Buttocks.
- Shoulders
- Lower back.
- Hands.
- Hips.
- Rib cage.
- Thighs.
- Heels.
- Feet.
You might also notice that the pain will get worse in the morning, or after you have been inactive for some time. You could feel tired often, and have a rigid spine that curves forward. Swelling in the joints and having trouble taking deep breasts could also be a symptom of Ankylosing Spondylitis. However, the symptoms can vary a lot.
Possible complications
Spine – In some cases, there is a chance that your vertebrae could become weak, which means that it is more likely to break or fracture. Because of this, you might have difficulty controlling your bladder or bowels; you might have loss of reflexes or sexual problems.
Eyes – About 40% of people, who have Ankylosing Spondylitis, also have an eye problem. It is called uveitis, and it is a type of problem that is caused by inflammation. It can be painful and it can also cause blurry vision, making your eyes sensitive to light.
Heart valve – In rare cases, Ankylosing Spondylitis could enlarge your aorta, and that can change the shape of the aortic valve. Because of this the blood could leak back into the heart. This can cause you to feel tired and be short of breath.
On the other hand, some people who suffer from psoriatic arthritis could also develop a condition that is called spondylitis. If you are interested in this, you can check you the psoriatic arthritis treatment in Brisbane performed by arthritisCARE or talk to a local doctor.
Learn more about the proper treatment!
Final word
Depending on the symptoms and the severity of your arthritis, your doctor will recommend a different treatment. That is why it is critical that you schedule a consultation with your doctor and have a proper talk. Find a good clinic and talk openly about your issues.
