Ankylosing spondylitis (AS)
Introduction
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a complex inflammatory condition primarily affecting the spine. This overview provides essential information about AS, including its definition, symptoms, who it affects, diagnosis methods, treatment options, and self-management strategies.
What is AS?
AS is an inflammatory disease that makes joints in the spine and other areas of the body swollen, stiff, and painful.
Symptoms: The most common symptoms of AS are back pain and stiffness. Other symptoms include:
- Pain that gets better with exercise, but doesn’t improve, or gets worse, with rest
- Pain and stiffness are worse in the morning and at night
- Some people may feel pain around the buttocks
- Pain and swelling in other joints
- Swollen fingers or toes
- Chest pain or tightness
- Heel pain
- Extreme tiredness
- Painful, red eyes
Who gets AS?
AS affects three times more men than women and usually develops between the ages of 17 and 35. It can run in families, so if someone in your family has AS, you could be at risk too.
Diagnosis: AS is diagnosed through:
- Discussion of your symptoms with your doctor
- Physical examination
- Blood tests
- X-rays or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of your spine
Treatment Options: AS treatment aims to:
• Reduce pain and stiffness
• Keep your spine as mobile and flexible as possible
• Limit joint or spine damage
Treatments may include:
• Exercise
• Physiotherapy
• Tablets or injections
• Surgery (rarely needed)
Self-Management: To help manage your condition, you can:
• Take regular exercise (stretching, swimming, walking, cycling, and contact sports)
• Eat a balanced diet
• Try to maintain a good posture
• Stay a healthy weight
• Don’t smoke
• Remember to take your treatment as prescribed
Rheumatological Conditions
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