Ankylosing Spondylitis- “A Stiff Spine Disease”

By: Dr. Abhishek Kr. Pandey, Medical Correspondent-ICN

LUCKNOW: Back pain is one of the most known and commonly experienced health concerns in day to day life. Long hours of sitting in the office, leaning down to pick up the things, lifting heavy objects and so many other hip twisting activities tend to make you experience back pain every now and then.

This back pain sometimes can be mild while at other times more excruciating. Every individual is bound to seek medical attention for back pain at some point in their life and there could be numerous reasons behind this back pain, sometimes due to mechanical stress or due to sudden trauma to back. But beware, not always this back pain is due to mechanical stress because there lies one serious condition in which back pain may also occur i.e.…

ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS

What is this..?

Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic inflammatory disease that is found to affect the iliac-sacro joints and the spine. It is not a normal back pain that a person experience. It is a kind of rheumatoid arthritis which causes either growth or even fusing of the vertebrae, resulting into a rigid spine. The fusing of the spine thus manifests itself in the form of severe pain and stiffness right in the neck to the lower back of the affected individual. Due to this, the simple movements like walking, sitting etc. are painful for the individual.

The exact cause of this disease is still unknown, but genetics plays a significant role in this condition. This disorder primarily affects the axial skeleton with a male predominance. The male female ratio is approx. 5:1 with a mean age for its onset being between 15 to 35 years. Intermittent flare-ups of pain and stiffness in the spine are the common symptoms of Ankylosing spondylitis. However the disease in later stages can also affect other joints along with eyes and intestines. Advanced stages can cause bone growth in the spine that ultimately fuse together, reducing the mobility of an individual.

Sign and symptoms-

The initial symptoms include pain and stiffness in the lower back and buttocks which increases over the course of weeks to month. Usually a diffused or dull pain and discomfort is felt either on one side of the back or alternate sides worsening in the morning and during night. Sometimes, the pain may subside with a warm shower or light exercise, but only temporarily. The individual may also suffer from general discomfort, mild rise in temperature and loss of appetite.

As the condition advances, the pain becomes chronic and is felt on both sides of the spine. This will continue for a minimum of 3 months until the stiffness and pain gradually spread throughout the spine reaching the neck area. The pain will eventually be felt in the ribs, shoulder blades gradually moving down the hips, thighs and even heels.

Also, yet another aspect to be noted is that the presentation of symptoms at its onset are different in males and females.

Ankylosing spondylitis though affects the spine and other joints, but is also found to be associated with other conditions such as ulcerative colitis (Crohns disease). One third of people suffering from spondylitis are also found to experience Inflammation of the eyes (iritis). An individual suffering from spondylitis may also experience its effects on some ligaments and tendons. Inflammation of these tendons (tendonitis) may give rise to pain and stiffness in the areas surrounding and beneath the heel.

The diagnosis of this disorder is usually found to get delayed till the later stages. This is mostly due to symptoms experienced which are not specific to the condition in its initial stages. In the advanced stages, diagnosis of Ankylosing Spondylitis would show presence of spinal osteoporosis which is majorly caused due to lack in mobility of the spine.

Due to delayed diagnosis of the condition, it tends to remain under treated. Though there is no complete cure to the condition, treatments available for the same can be only implemented to reduce the discomfort one may experience.

Use of medicines and other pain relieving drugs like aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen etc. is the only way to lower the painful episodes of Ankylosing spondylitis. Anti rheumatic drugs can also be used in combination with NSAIDs, if they prove to be less effective towards reducing pain, inflammation, pain and stiffness. Also, following a proper exercise regime suggested by physician or physiotherapist will help in reducing the stiffness.

Ankylosing spondylitis affects majorly in the adolescent stage challenging an individual’s future endeavours in life. But with timely diagnosis and proper treatment plans in place, one can surely live a better life with less pain and challenges to face in their day to day activities.

 

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