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Ankylosing spondylitis |
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Ankylosing spondylitis is a medical condition, in which a connective tissue disorder characterized by large joints and spine inflammation, causing pain and stiffness. Ankylosing spondylitis are 3 times more common in males than in females, and occur mostly between the ages of 20 and 40’s. The cause of this disease is unknown, but the disorder tends to run in the family, showing that genetics play a role. Ankylosing spondylitis is ten to twenty times more likely to occur in individuals whose siblings and parents have the condition. The main common symptom of this disease is pain in the back and pain frequently becomes worse during nights. Early morning stiffness is also common and can be relieved by activity. Lower back pain and associated spasms of the muscles are frequently relieved by bending forward. If not treated, the patients frequently assume a stooped posture, which may cause permanent bent over position. In other patients, the spine becomes noticeable stiff and straight. Weight loss, loss of appetite, anemia, and fatigue may accompany back aches. If the joint connecting the rib to the spine is inflamed, the pain can limit the abilities to expand the patient’s chest to take a deep breath. Usually, pain begings in large joints, such as shoulders, knees, and hips. About 1/3 of the patients with Ankylosing spondylitis have repeated attacks of mild eye inflammation, which commonly does not impair vision. In very few patients, inflammation damages a heart valve. If the injured vertebrae presses against the nerve or the spinal cord – pain, weakness, and numbness may develop in the part supplied by the damaged nerves. The horse’s tail (cauda equine) syndrome, a very rare complication, consists of symptoms that develop when the inflamed column of the spine compresses the group of nerves that extends below the end of the cord. The symptoms usually include loss of reflexes in the ankles, diminished sensations in the rectum, and bladder, impotence, and night urinary incontinence. The diagnoses of Ankylosing spondylitis depends on the symptoms and x-ray of the spine and damaged joints, which reveal erosions at the joints between the hip bone (sacroillac joints) and spine, and the bony bridges formation between the vertebraes, causing spine to become stiff. The erythrocytes sedimentation number is high in Ankylosing spondylitis. In addition, a certain gene HLA-B27, is found in approx. 90% of the patients with this disease. Most individuals with Ankylosing spondylitis do not develop disability and may lead a productive, normal life. In some people, the disease is more progressive, resulting in severe deformities. Treatment consists of relieving joint and bach pain and correcting or preventing deformities of the spine. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as Aspirin may decrease the inflammation and pain. The drug Indomethacin can be the most effective. Corticosteroids may help only for short-term treatment of severe joint inflammations and iritis and usually is given by direct injection into the joints. Narcotic analgetic and muscle relaxants may be prescribed for muscle spasms and severe pain. Surgery to replace joints may relieve aches and restore function to the knees and hips. Daily exercises also strengthen the muscle that tends to stoop and bend.
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| Category |
Disease Conditions > A
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| Related Searches |
diagnosing Ankylosing spondylitis, ankylosing spondylitis treatment |
| Date Submitted |
13-Nov-2005
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