Are you struggling with ankylosing spondylitis ? Yes ? I can understand you. It's not easy to live a normal and active life if you have pain in the ligaments of the spine or ankylosing spondylitis. Nothing is worse when you are trying to get up in the morning quickly but can't due to severe spinal pain and stiffness. It does not happen only when they sleep but also when they sit longer. Sitting for prolonged periods makes their joints stiff, and they feel severe pain while getting up. So, what should people with ankylosing spondylitis do? Don't stress. You can be pain-free and live an active and happy life in many ways.
What is ankylosing spondylitis?
Ankylosing
spondylitis is one of the severe types of arthritis that affects your spine
joints. In this rare type of arthritis, the spinal joints or ligaments of the
spine get stiff and cause severe pain. This pain is not just a simple joint
pain we feel; it's a painful condition in which he can't get up easily due to
spinal joint pain. This pain episode lasts longer than other joint pain, also
known as Bechterew disease.
In this
condition, the person mostly feels inflammation, pain in the lower back, neck,
and a few other body parts. Do you know where its name comes from? The
disease's name is from the Latin word ankylosis, which means fused bones, and
spondylitis, which means swelling near your spinal bones or vertebrae.
Symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis
What are
the early signs and symptoms of ankylosing spondylosis? This type of arthritis
starts with inflammation in sacroiliac joints and ligaments of the spine. This
happens in the joint where your spinal cord connects to your pelvis. The early
symptoms include pain in the backside and hips. This pain doesn't stop here
because it spreads to your tendons and ligaments that attach to your bone.
How to diagnose ankylosing spondylitis
To
diagnose pain in inflammation in Ligaments or AS, your consultant will take
your complete history and perform a physical examination. After that to confirm
the diagnosis, you will have to undergo some tests.
If you are
having the following signs and symptoms along with inflammatory back pain, then
it indicates AS
●
Pain not improving despite rest
●
Pain along with sleep disturbance
●
Gradual pain without any obvious reason starting from 17y to 45 years
●
Chronic symptoms
● Having spinal stiffness when Yoj wakes up in the morning
● Pain which improves with a warm shower
Additionally,
AS can’t be directly confirmed through tests, but these tests can exclude
other differential diagnosis. According to a report, about 90 percent of people
having AS contain a genetic marker known as HLA-B27
Following
are the tests for inflammation
●
CBC
●
Blood chemistry
●
CRP
●
ESR ( erythrocyte sedimentation rate)
●
MRI of sacroiliac joints
● Ultrasound
● X rays
Treatment of ankylosing spondylitis
There are
no permanent treatment options available for swelling and pain ligaments of the
spine or AS. Only symptomatic relief is present.
Following
are the treatment options
People
with AS should go to a rheumatologist. Consistent medical care can make the
condition better. If the condition is so bad, then the doctor recommends
surgery only. For example, severe posture changes due to inflammation or
ankylosis.
Certain medications are recommended for
Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS), with Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
being the mainstay for relieving pain and inflammation. Examples of NSAIDs
include Ibuprofen, Naproxen, and Diclofenac. However, it's noteworthy that some
NSAIDs can decrease bone remodeling, prompting some doctors to avoid them.
Additionally, corticosteroids can be used, with steroid injections proving
effective in alleviating pain. Another category of medication used in AS
treatment is Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) inhibitors, which include Golimumab,
Adalimumab, Certolizumab, and Etanercept. These medications play a crucial role
in managing the symptoms of AS and improving the quality of life for
individuals affected by the condition.
How to manage ankylosing spondylitis?
There are different
ways to manage ankylosing spondylitis such as
You can improve your
condition by changing your lifestyle and activities. National Institute of
Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Disease research showed that people who cared for
them had less chance of having pain and better quality of life.
You can do self-care by following below
mentioned steps
●
Having
complete knowledge about diseases and treatment options available
●
Getting
support for the physical as well as mental effects of AS
● Communication with healthcare workers
Additionally you have to do following
modifications
●
Exercise
●
Monitor
symptoms
●
Proper
followup
●
Use of
support and assistive devices
●
Nutritious
diet
●
Stress
management
●
Quitting
smoking
●
Getting
therapy
●
SSA
provides other resources and support for people having AS, like support groups,
educational resources, and community forums
You can cure the pain in ligaments of the
spine and reduce the symptoms by physical therapy and exercise. These exercises
are called strengthening exercises and range of motion exercises. You can get a planned program from a physical
therapist.
This program includes
●
Daily
exercises
●
Therapeutic
exercises
●
Special
training
What types of exercises you should do
●
Stretching
This reduces stiffness and increases
flexibility. It can also help relieve pain and inflammation and prevent joint
fusion.
●
Cardiovascular
exercises
These cardiovascular exercises include walking
and swimming. These are good for cardiac functions and relief of fatigue.
●
Muscle
exercises
These are for core buildup and muscle
strengthening. Strong muscles strengthen posture and movement.
●
Balance
training
This reduces stability and decreases the
chances of falls
Conclusion
Ankylosing
spondylitis is a condition in which you feel pain in the spine majorly. But the
good thing is that you can get rid of this painful condition by adopting easy
lifestyle changes.