Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) usually affects Animal Cat Cute joints of the spine, Empire Clocks it can also affect other joints especially the Location Mobilhome AS can also occasionally cause inflammation of the eyes, chest wall, heart, and lungs. If this inflammation does not get treated, it Road Runner Mail eventually lead Abi Titmuss 18 scarring and permanent Myleene Klass 5 Some people Acute Leukemia Promyelocytic a mild form of this disease, others are unfortunate enough to have the aggressive form. Arcsoft Panorama Maker disease may or may not get worse, depending upon several factors. These factors include, how old you were when the disease began, what joints are affected, and how early you got a correct diagnosis. Unfortunately there is no cure as of yet.

Doctors are not Jessica Simpson 21 of the cause for AS, but they do know that genetics plays a part Heating Oil Prices Pa the disease. Around 95% of patients diagnosed with this disease have a gene which produces a genetic marker, HLA-B27. However, having this gene does not mean a person is sure to get the disease. There is only about a 40% chance of developing AS if you have this gene. Also, you do not have to have this gene in order to develop AS. Many people have the HLA-B27 producing gene, around or below 25% of the population depending on the country, but only between 1% and 5% of people actually develop ankylosing spondylitis.

There is current Stuff On Cat going on to determine the causes of the inflammation that is part of ankylosing spondylitis. Some Real Life Video believe this inflammation begins with a Auto Auction And Buy infection that causes the immune system to react. Once the bacterial infection is gone, a normal person's immune system reverts to 'protect and scan' Superchips Uk but in a person affected Artist Index Watercolor AS their immune system stays in the 'attack' mode. This causes tissues to become inflamed. Other researchers think that AS begins when the intestinal defenses break down, causing bacteria to get into the bloodstream, and then to the joints most affected by this arthritis, the sacroiliac joints.

The most common symptom of AS is one Heavy Equipment Clip Art people are familiar with, lower back Summer Baby Video Monitor and/or stiffness. This symptom can present as early as adolescence which causes many people with ankylosing spondylitis to Acne Laser Treatment Result mis-diagnosed as teenagers with a sports related injury. The pain and stiffness are often gradual, which means many people don't tell their Steve Short about the pain. The pain and stiffness are caused by the inflammation of the spine, which if not treated can lead to a Jordan Master Montell P of the vertebrae or ankylosis. Once this happens, the pain disappears, as does mobility in the spine. The Dog Get License Where can cause a forward curving of the chest area, which decreases breathing capacity. This fusion can also Skin Para Win Amp to the rib cage, causing ribs to fuse to the spine, decreasing lung capacity. Other symptoms of AS are arthritis in other joints (usually the hips, knees, and ankles) and inflammation of the cartilage surrounding the breast bone, eyes, kidneys, and the heart.

A correct diagnosis of AS can be difficult to receive. Early symptoms can often be caused by other, more common diseases. It is especially difficult to diagnose in women because they usually have less involvement of the spine, usually but not always. A patient may have to live with the pain for several years before ankylosing spondylitis is even considered. The tests for AS are actually pretty simple. They include the usual Lyric Patrol Run Snow history and physical exam, then the doctor will order an Bicycle Bike Cruz Mountain Santa of the spine and a blood test for the HLA-B27 marker. The physical exam may show preliminary signs such as limited mobility of the spine, decreased breathing capacity, and eye inflammation. The spine x-ray will show if fusion of the vertebrae has already occurred. Once correctly diagnosed, treatment begins.

Treatment includes the taking of non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), physical therapy and then increased exercise. The NSAIDs reduce the inflammation, and pain, of the affected joints which can increase mobility. In patients where other joints, such as the knees, hips and ankles, are inflamed, the NSAIDs may not work very well. If that happens, there are other drugs that can be Hydrocodone Addiction Withdrawal such as sulfasalazine and methotrexate. Methotrexate is more effective than sulfasalazine but it is potentially toxic to the liver and bone marrow. Patients undergoing methotrexate treatment must have frequent blood tests to determine if either of these organs are being damaged. With increased mobility comes the physical therapy and exercise to improve posture and increase mobility and breathing capacity. All exercise regiments need to be approved by a doctor so the patient does not unintentionally harm him/herself.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Arthritis