An Overview Of Treatments For Ankylosing Spondylitis

There are many different types of arthritis that a person can develop, and in this article Evexia Family Chiropractic discusses Ankylosing Spondylitis. Arthritis is a condition where tenderness and swelling will occur in your joints. Most people perceive this to be a feeling of pain, and they are often stiff. Additionally, arthritis is a condition that tends to become worse without proper treatment. Common types of arthritis include rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, but ankylosing spondylitis is another type of arthritis that can be quite detrimental. Ankylosing spondylitis is a condition that many people suffer from, and there are symptoms and treatments that you should know about if you believe you have this condition.

What Causes Arthritis?

The most common reason that people develop arthritis is simply wearing and tearing on the joints. The more that you move, and the older that you get, the more likely it will occur. It can also be caused by infections that are directly in the joints. If your joints become inflamed, this can exacerbate the condition, causing cartilage tissue to break down more rapidly. There are treatments that you can use to prevent arthritis from getting worse, and there are certain symptoms that you need to be aware of which may prompt a visit to a chiropractor.

Common Symptoms Of Arthritis

The symptoms of arthritis are very well known. You have likely heard elderly people in your family talking about this. It is also probable that people that are older than you work with have also complained about this condition. Pain, swelling, stiffness, redness, and also a major decrease in your range of motion are all symptoms of arthritis. It typically starts with some type of noticeable and uncomfortable stiffness in the hands. This can subsequently lead to other joints in your body, making it difficult for an individual to move without pain. Although some forms of arthritis are easy to treat or tolerate, ankylosing spondylitis is a type of arthritis that you will want to avoid.

A Brief Overview Of Ankylosing Spondylitis

Ankylosing spondylitis is a specific type of arthritis that is found in the spine. You will actually feel that your spine is becoming stiffer. It will begin in the lower back and can spread up into your neck, and subsequently to various parts of your body. The first part of this word, ankylosing, means fused bones. It may also refer to hard tissue. The second part, spondylitis, references inflammation. This means that, in your spine, your vertebrae will start to become painful and inflexible. People that have a severe case of this condition often develop a spine that makes them look hunched over. At this time, there is no cure. There are, however, different remedies and physical therapy options that can allow people to live with this in minimal discomfort.

Where Can Ankylosing Spondylitis Spread To?

Although this will start in the spine, it can easily begin to spread out. It may spread into your thighs, hips, and also your rib cage. It will then extend further into your extremities, causing pain in your hands, feet, and even on your heels. People tend to notice this more often when they are sitting for extended periods of time. If the physician has noted that your spine is rigid, and is also curving, this is a clear sign that you have this condition. At the very least, you will have swelling in your joints that can become painful. TNF blockers are the most common pharmaceutical treatment for this condition. This may include drugs like Enbrel and Humira. In regard to exercise and physical therapy, a physical therapist will recommend stretching on a regular basis. This may include plank exercises, standing leg raises, and chin tucks to stretch the spine and reduce inflammation.

 

At What Age Can You Develop Ankylosing Spondylitis?

Another unique aspect of this particular type of arthritis is when it begins to develop. People that are teenagers can start to see early signs of this condition. In fact, from the age of 17, going all the way to the mid-40s, it can start abruptly. This condition is caused by a specific gene that is hereditary, called HLA-B27. Since there is no cure to prevent this gene from causing the problems, chiropractors and physicians can only recommend certain physical exercises, stretching, and pharmaceutical drugs to reduce discomfort levels.

Other Areas Of Your Body That May Be Affected

One area of the body that can be affected is your eyes. Nearly 50% of the people that have this condition developed uveitis. This is a type of inflammation that can cause vision problems and pain. You will likely have blurred vision, and it will also lead to potentially becoming very sensitive to light. If you do have problems seeing in bright light, or if your vision is becoming more impaired, you may want to see a physician to test for HLA-B27. Another problematic area is the enlargement of your aorta. This artery, which is the largest in the body, can become bigger and may leak blood into your heart. As a result of this, you may find yourself short of breath and chronically tired. This is because your heart is not working optimally. If you have any of these symptoms or the discomfort that is common with arthritic pain in your spine, you should certainly visit a physician as soon as possible.

Chiropractic Care and Ankylosing Spondylitis

Because ankylosing spondylitis involves the spine, lower back pain, and stiffness, chiropractic care is a treatment option for people suffering from the condition. However, it is important to note that with ankylosing spondylitis, only skilled chiropractors using gentle techniques can help ease the pain of ankylosing spondylitis. Too much force may cause more joint damage to people with arthritis conditions.

Evexia Family Chiropractic uses gentle techniques, focusing on the tissue around the spine to help ease the pain. Along with chiropractic care, functional medicine is an excellent strategy to treat this type of arthritis. Instead of pharmaceutical drugs, functional medicine focuses on you, the individual, and not just a set of symptoms.

Final Notes on Ankylosing Spondylitis

Ankylosing spondylitis is a hereditary condition. If you have it, it is likely a genetic byproduct. Now that you know the symptoms to look for, and the potential treatments that are available, you will at least know you can deal with this arthritic condition. If you do notice that you are having trouble breathing, or if your vision is blurry, contact your local physician. You may also want to consider getting tested for prostate, colon, or bone cancer as this may also occur as a result of this form of arthritis. Don’t wait any longer, and visit the best Lees Summit chiropractor to treat not only the symptoms but to improve your daily life and well-being.