Ankylosing spondylitis is also known as Bechterew’s disease is a kind of arthritis that causes inflammation at the spine or other joints of the body. It is a common disease and mostly affects men that can last up to some years.
This disease decreases the flexibility of the spine affecting the normal posture of the body. The inflammation might radiate to other parts of the body and in response, the body can produce more calcium making the body and bones stiff. This disease begins after the teenage years and it can worsen over time.
As of now, the researchers have been unable to understand the precise cause of Ankylosing Spondylitis. However, they have a belief that it might be caused by genetic inheritance. At the same time, environmental factors may increase the risk of causing it. Along with that, there are some risk factors for Ankylosing Spondylitis that are:
In the beginning, the Ankylosing Spondylitis might cause stiffness in the back that can last up to half an hour before getting normal in the day. Pain can occur even at night when the person is sleeping. At the same time, it can impact the buttocks and back thigh which can seem normal at the beginning.
But, one difference between normal back pain and pain of Ankylosing Spondylitis is that the pain of normal backache lies for a few minutes. In contrast, the pain of Ankylosing Spondylitis lies for a longer time. Over time, the pain can become worse and more intense in the back. Some other symptoms of Ankylosing Spondylitis are:
There are no specific tests to identify the presence of Ankylosing Spondylitis. But some blood tests can be done to check for other underlying causes that might cause the symptoms. Some common ways to detect it are:
There is no specific treatment for Ankylosing spondylitis. Still, some treatments can help to improve living with the disease. They are:
Exercise is a good way to improve the pain, movement and mobility of Ankylosing Spondylitis. But, the right exercises are suggested by physiotherapists based on individual cases. Some simple ones can be:
Physiotherapy can make it easy to manage the symptoms of Ankylosing Spondylitis. For this reason, a customised exercise plan by experts can be the ideal solution. DynaFisio in Gurgaon has the best physiotherapists and modern healthcare facilities to treat Ankylosing Spondylitis effectively to help in leading a happy life.