Specifically, ankylosing spondylitis causes enthesitis inflammation where the tendons, ligaments, and bones meet.
This can lead to kyphosis, a punch in of spinal curvature that results in a forward-hunching posture.
Typically, symptoms worsen over time gradually for some people and more rapidly for others.
Learn More About Signs and Symptoms of Ankylosing Spondylitis
What Does Ankylosing Spondylitis Feel Like?
The SI joints are located at the base of the spine, where the spine meets the pelvis.
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What Causes Ankylosing Spondylitis?
Ankylosing Spondylitis mainly affects the joints in your spine, but you may have symptoms in other parts of your body also.
Most individuals who have ankylosing spondylitis have a gene variation called HLA-B27.
Little is known about the environmental factors that trigger ankylosing spondylitis.
Some researchers believe that bacterial infections may be a factor.
Is Ankylosing Spondylitis an Autoimmune Disease?
Immunologists disagree about whether it is an autoimmune disease.
Inautoimmune diseases, the body mistakenly attacks a substance, called an antigen, thats produced by the body.
The blood proteins that attack the antigen are called autoantibodies, and they are detectable in a blood sample.
But research on the role of autoantibodies in ankylosing spondylitis is still evolving.
In these diseases, it appears the immune system is reacting to something other than a self-antigen.
Other Inflammatory Rheumatic Diseases
Diagnosing Ankylosing Spondylitis
Theres no single diagnostic test for ankylosing spondylitis.
But the pain of fibromyalgia is not associated with tissue inflammation the way AS pain is.
But the effects of the disease and severity of symptoms vary from person to person.
Other options include drugs called interleukin 17 (IL-17) inhibitors and Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors.
These drugs also target the immune system, but in different ways from TNF alpha-blockers.
Keeping physically active is key to living well with ankylosing spondylitis.
Your physical therapist may also be able to advise you on more comfortable sleeping positions.
In addition, aortic regurgitation was associated with both age and severity of ankylosing spondylitis.
The researchers suggested that routine care in ankylosing spondylitis should include monitoring with both echocardiography and electrocardiography.
Once diagnosed, symptomatic aortic regurgitation can be treated with medication or by surgical repair or replacement.
Can Ankylosing Spondylitis Cause Costochondritis?
Costochondritisis a condition that causes pain and tenderness in the chest.
The pain happens in an area called the costosternal joints, where the ribs meet the breastbone.
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Ankylosing Spondylitis Progression
Ankylosing spondylitis is a progressive disease.
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Research and Statistics: Who Has Ankylosing Spondylitis?
RaceAnkylosing spondylitis occurs more frequently in white people, while African Americans usually have more severe disease.
GenderAS is more common in men than in women.
Recent estimates suggest it occurs in 2 to 3 men for every woman with AS.
There is some concern that women may be underdiagnosed because of different symptoms.
GenesGenetics appear to play a role in ankylosing spondylitis.
Researchers believe that a combination of genetic and environmental factors are necessary to trigger ankylosing spondylitis.
In some cases, nr-axSpA later becomes ankylosing spondylitis.
Inflammatory back pain is another condition that causes back and buttock pain, similar to ankylosing spondylitis.
It may or may not progress to another form of spondyloarthritis.
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Does Ankylosing Spondylitis Raise the Risk of Cancer?
Decades ago, ankylosing spondylitis was treated with radiation to reduce inflammation in the spine.
While the treatment had its desired effect, it also increased the risk of leukemia and aplasticanemialater in life.
So far, study results have been mixed.
A healthy weight is important to protect the joints and keep the immune system functioning well.
Low body weight is also associated with infertility in women of childbearing age.
Exposing your skin to sunlight is another way to raise your vitamin D level.
She was previously the editor ofDiabetes Self-ManagementandArthritis Self-Managementmagazines.
Strauch has a bachelors degree in English composition and French from Beloit College in Wisconsin.
