{"id":3024,"date":"2019-01-18T04:43:58","date_gmt":"2019-01-18T04:43:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=3024"},"modified":"2021-03-22T20:26:22","modified_gmt":"2021-03-22T20:26:22","slug":"10-early-warning-signs-of-ankylosing-spondylitis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/10-early-warning-signs-of-ankylosing-spondylitis\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Early Warning Signs of Ankylosing Spondylitis"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Unexplained Back Pain<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Typically, back pain<\/a> 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Family History<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It is important to know your family’s medical history for a lot of reasons. There are many diseases that are passed down from generation to generation. If you have a family member who suffers from ankylosing spondylitis, there is a higher chance that you may develop the condition as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are some genetic <\/a>markers that make a person more susceptible to developing ankylosing spondylitis. However, not everyone who has these specific genes will develop the disease. The reason for this is not really clear. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you know a relative that suffers from psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, or arthritis that stems from inflammatory bowel disease, chances are that you might have the genes that put you at a higher risk for developing one or more of these types of arthritis. If you have the symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis it is important to let your doctor know that you have a family history of this condition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Unexplained Heel, Joint, or Chest Pain<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While many people will experience pain that is located in the lower back or hip area when they are suffering from ankylosing spondylitis, there are some people who first experience pain in their heels. They may also experience stiffness or pain in the ankles, wrists, or other joints. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are some patients who have their rib bones affected at the point where the ribs meet the spine<\/a>. This may cause the person to feel a tightness in the chest. This tightness can make it more difficult to breathe. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are young and experiencing pain in the heels, joints, or if you are having unexplained chest pain, it is important to discuss these symptoms with your doctor right away, especially if the symptoms persist for long periods of time. A proper diagnosis will determine the underlying cause of these symptoms so that proper treatment can be started. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Moving Pain<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ankylosing spondylitis is a progressive and chronic disease. This means that it will get worse with time. The pain associated with this disease often will come and go. However, the issue is moving up the spine as it progresses. The pain may start in the lower back, but will gradually move up the spin and get worse. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The symptoms of the disease will come and go, but they do not stop completely. The pain and the inflammation will spread from the lower back up into the spine. If it is left untreated it can cause the vertebrae to fuse together. This may cause the spine to curve forward. When this occurs a person may start to hunch over and they will have difficulty standing up straight if they can at all. An early diagnosis can help to prevent this from occurring. Proper diagnosis and treatment <\/a>are important when it comes to ankylosing spondylitis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. NSAIDs Provide Relief<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

During the beginning stages of ankylosing spondylitis, a person can experience symptomatic relief from anti-inflammatory<\/a> drugs. These can be purchased over the counter. Naproxen and ibuprofen are NSAIDs and can help alleviate some of the pain that is experienced with the disease. This can work for a while until the disease begins to progress further and moves up the spine. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, taking these medications will not alter the course of ankylosing spondylitis. If your doctor thinks that you are suffering from ankylosing spondylitis they will likely prescribe you with more advanced medications to help you with the pain. These drugs will target specific areas of the immune system. Cytokines are components of the immune system that play a central part in inflammation. These drugs specifically target the interleukin 10 and the tumor necrosis factor-alpha. These drugs target these areas as a way to slow down the progression of the disease. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Most Commonly Affected<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ankylosing spondylitis<\/a> is most likely to affect younger men. However, it can affect both females and males. The initial symptoms of the disease will typically begin during the late teen and into the early adult years. However, ankylosing spondylitis can occur at any age. While the tendency to develop ankylosing spondylitis is inherited, not everyone with marker genes will develop it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not very clear why there are some people who develop ankylosing spondylitis and others do not. A number of caucasian people who have the disease carry a gene known as the HLA-B27. However, not all people who have this gene will develop ankylosing spondylitis. There are up to thirty different genes that have been identified that could play a role in whether or not a person develops the disease. To be diagnosed with AS there is no single test, but rather a physical examination and a detailed patient history will be taken. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Eye Inflammation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One warning sign that is not really common, but could be a symptom of ankylosing spondylitis is inflammation of the eyes. If you have been diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis it can cause inflammation in the eyes to occur. If your eyes have turned red it is important to make sure that you see an ophthalmologist. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Up to forty percent of people who have been diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis develop this type of inflammation <\/a>of the eyes. Some of the symptoms that may occur with the inflammation of the eyes include blurred vision, watery eyes, and sensitivity to bright lights. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Inflammation in the eyes can occur at any point in the disease. It could be an early symptom of developing later. The treatment for the inflammation of the eyes will include corticosteroid eye drops. These will help to reduce the inflammation and alleviate some of the symptoms. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Bowel Inflammation <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another symptom that a person may suffer from when they have ankylosing spondylitis is bowel inflammation. Some of the issues that a person may suffer from include ulcerative colitis, Crohn\u2019s disease<\/a>, or other types of inflammatory bowel diseases. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The reason that this may develop could be because of underlying inflammation. It may also be a side effect of the NSAIDs that many people take when they are trying to alleviate the pain that is associated with ankylosing spondylitis. Most people may not realize that symptoms such as cramping or diarrhea are actually related to ankylosing spondylitis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, it is important to make sure that you relate these symptoms to your doctor. Some of the prescription medications that are used for treating ankylosing spondylitis can also be used for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease. Always report any symptoms that you experience to your doctor so that proper treatment can be provided.
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