A Guide to Understanding and Embracing Life with Ankylosing Spondylitis

Mediawire
New Delhi [India], May 31: Back pain is a common health concern. From being a mild irritation to having more debilitating effects, it can impact people's daily lives. One type of back pain is Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS), which is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the spine.
In this condition, unlike other forms of back ache, mild exercising such as swimming or walking and movement help improve the pain stiffness and worsens with rest.[i] AS can lead to inflammatory lower back pain and structural damage (as it may cause some bones in the spine to fuse together, resulting in a rigid spine and a hunch).[ii] The work "Ankylosing" literally means stiff or rigid.
As of 2021, around 1.65 million people in India were diagnosed with the condition, and it is estimated to grow at 2.95% according to a GlobalData report.[iii]
Know the signs
AS affects people between 16 and 70 years of age and is more common amongst men. Typically, the onset occurs prior to 45 years of age. Globally, around 80% of patients experience their first symptoms before they turn 30.[iv]
AS causes pain and stiffness in one's lower back, hips, and buttocks, and can also result in fatigue. It can potentially affect one's ribs, knees, ankles, and hips. The pain increases gradually and can last for several months or years. While some people would experience infrequent and mild pain, others may experience more severe and ongoing occurrences.
The pain or stiffness, which is often dull and persistent, is usually significant in the morning, and people feel better following moderate exercise or movement. It can disrupt a person's daily routine - disrupting sleep and lowering the appetite (which results in weight loss).[v] Further, beyond the bones, the condition may also result in inflammatory bowel disease, inflammation in the eye (uveitis), and psoriasis (a skin disease resulting in rashes and inflammation).
The journey to detection and management
Recognizing the signs early is important since AS symptoms are often misdiagnosed or detected and treated late. To support timely diagnosis, and slow down the progression of the disease, encouraging more people to know the signs and seek timely medical support will help avoid irreversible damage and complications.
Dr. Kartik Peethambaran, Associate Medical Director at Abbott in India commented, "Ankylosing Spondylitis typically affects people who are in early adulthood. As a result, they experience disruptions to their academic or professional lives resulting in stress and mental health problems. Living with the pain, stiffness, and extreme tiredness everyday can be challenging. Additionally, delay in diagnosis is a significant problem in India with evidence suggesting approximately 5-6 years delay. Therefore, early detection plays a vital role in accelerating this journey to an improved quality of life. Learning how to effectively control the condition and alleviate the symptoms is important."
Since people living with AS report a lower quality of life than healthy individuals or those with other conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, detecting it early, consulting a doctor, and initiating the treatment are key steps forward.
Dr. Sanjiv Kapoor, Senior Consultant Rheumatologist, Indian Spinal Injury Center, Vasant Kunj, Delhi commented, "You can simplify managing AS by making lifestyle modifications as part of the overall treatment routine to address pain, stiffness, and inflammation. These include exercise, stress management, maintaining a healthy and nutritious diet, and attempting to retain good posture. With proper treatment, people can seek symptom relief, maintain good posture and flexibility, and slow down disease progression."
To summarize, it's important to consult a Rheumatologist (specialist doctor for treating AS) who can support with the right diagnosis and treatment plan. Paying attention to back pain or stiffness will help in detecting this condition early and forms the first step towards better disease management.
Disclaimer: Issued in public interest for general awareness by Abbott. Information mentioned here is not a substitute for doctor's advice or recommendations from Abbott. Please consult your doctor for more information and advice on the topic.
[i] https://asif.info/worldasday/)
[ii] https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ankylosing-spondylitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20354808
[iii]https://www.intechopen.com/chapters/85800#:~:text=In%20India%2C%20the%20estimated%20diagnosed,6%2C%207%2C%208%5D
[iv] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470173/
[v] https://sparthritis.ca/what-is-spondyloarthritis/#couldihave
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5466281/
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