Getting diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) means you have an autoimmune disease and a type of inflammatory arthritis. AS mainly affects the spine, leading to symptoms like back pain and stiffness. This inflammation can alter your joint structure, affect your posture, limit movement, and decrease your quality of life.
Currently, the exact cause of AS isn’t completely understood. Some studies suggest that both genetic and environmental factors might contribute to its development.
If you’re experiencing symptoms that suggest AS, it’s wise to get tested. A healthcare provider will review your medical history, conduct a physical exam, and possibly order additional tests like blood work or imaging to confirm the diagnosis.
While there is no cure for AS, treatment can help you manage symptoms and improve your day-to-day life. AS symptoms can vary from one person to the next, ranging from mild to severe, generally starting before the age of 45 and developing slowly. Many individuals with AS experience flares when symptoms become more intense.
Common symptoms of AS include back pain and stiffness. As the condition progresses, you might also experience chest pain, difficulty breathing, digestive issues, and skin rashes. Anemia, depression, and kyphosis (a hunchback posture) are also possible.
Being an autoimmune disorder, AS means that your immune system attacks healthy spine cells, leading to inflammation and subsequent symptoms. Although the exact cause is unknown, genetics and environmental factors are believed to play a role. If AS runs in your family, you might be at a higher risk. Certain genes, notably HLA-B27, are commonly found in people with AS, but having the gene doesn’t guarantee you’ll develop the condition.
Different risk factors can increase your likelihood of developing AS, but having one or more doesn’t assure you’ll get the disease—it just ups your risk.
To diagnose AS, a healthcare provider will collect your medical history and perform a physical exam. They’ll check for spinal pain, tenderness, joint range of motion, and posture. Diagnosing AS involves ruling out other conditions with similar symptoms through various tests.
Since there’s no cure, AS treatment aims to alleviate pain and inflammation, slow disease progression, and avoid complications. Your treatment will be tailored based on your symptoms’ severity, your age, and lifestyle. A combination of medications and therapies is typical, and surgery might be considered for severely advanced symptoms.
Several medications are available to treat AS. Finding the right combination can be trial and error, as everyone responds differently. Physical therapy is also crucial, helping you work on exercises to boost muscle strength and endurance, improve breathing, and maintain a healthy weight.
Those with advanced AS and severe symptoms may need surgery, particularly if other treatments don’t work. Discussions with a healthcare provider and possibly a specialist like a rheumatologist will clarify surgical options, if necessary.
Living with AS may involve flare-ups, where symptoms worsen. Flares can bring severe back pain, fatigue, a mild fever, depression, and pain in other joints. You can help prevent frequent flares by working closely with your healthcare provider and staying adaptable to treatment changes based on your current condition.
About 80% of people with AS also deal with other health conditions, so it’s important to be proactive about managing your health. If you’re diagnosed with AS, it’s crucial to follow your treatment plan and maintain open communication with your healthcare provider. Staying informed about new treatments is beneficial as research continues to uncover more effective options.
Managing your medications, exercising regularly, and controlling stress can help manage symptoms. Emotional support through loved ones, hobbies, or support groups can also enhance your well-being. With effective treatment, individuals with AS can live fulfilling and joyful lives.
