10 Early Warning Signs of Ankylosing Spondylitis

There are several types of arthritis that a person may develop. One such type is ankylosing spondylitis. This is a type of arthritis that affects the spine. It causes the spinal joints to become inflamed. When this occurs it can cause a person to develop chronic pain that is severe and extremely uncomfortable.

In some of the more advanced cases of ankylosing spondylitis, the inflammation of the spine can cause new bone growth. This may cause the vertebrae to become fused together. This can cause a person to develop a stooped posture as the vertebrae are stuck in a fixed position.

Ankylosing spondylitis can affect other areas of the body as well including the shoulders, hips, heels, and ribs. The pain can spread to the neck with time. Here are 8 of the early warning signs of ankylosing spondylitis to be aware of.

1. Unexplained Back Pain

When it comes to ankylosing spondylitis, a person may experience pain in the lower back. This is one of the early signs that something is wrong. Of course, there are many health conditions that can cause a person to experience lower back pain. In fact, almost everyone over the age of 30 has experienced lower back pain for at least some time in their life.

Typically, back pain will feel better after resting. However, if a person has ankylosing spondylitis, the opposite is true. The stiffness and pain that is associated with the condition are often worse when waking up. The pain that a person feels is often located in the lower back or in the hips.

Exercising tends to make ordinary back pain feel worse, but those who suffer from ankylosing spondylitis may find that they actually begin to feel better after they exercise. A doctor will be able to evaluate you to determine what is causing your back pain.