Do you know that there are many different types of arthritis? Many people are not aware of this, thus when they visit a doctor, they tend to be surprised when they are diagnosed with arthritis. If you feel as if there is something wrong, maybe it is time to have your checkup!
How much do you know about ankylosing spondylitis? Well this condition is a form of arthritis and it can cause a lot of pain and stiffness in your spine. If you are interested in this condition, you should continue reading. You can also check out the ankylosing spondylitis specialist in Brisbane at arthritisCARE or visit a local doctor.
Ankylosing spondylitis is a rare type of arthritis
Ankylosing spondylitis overview
This is a rare type of arthritis. It will cause stiffness and pain in your spine. It cannot be cured, but it can be managed. So, this lifelong condition will start in the lower back, and it could spread to your neck. It can also damage your joins in other body parts. Ankylosing spondylitis is also called the Bechterew disease.
The word ankylosing stands for hard tissue or fused bones; the word spondylitis stands for the inflammation in the spinal bones, or vertebrae. There are also some more severe cases that could make your back hunched. Although there is no actual cure for ankylosing spondylitis, there are treatments that include medication and exercise that will ease the pain and make your back stronger.
Symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis
In most cases, ankylosing spondylitis will start in the sacroiliac joints, where the spine connects to the pelvis. It could affect places where the tendons and ligaments attach to the bones. There are some cases where ankylosing spondylitis could cause your vertebrae to fuse together. You could experience stiffness or pain in your:
– Thighs.
– Shoulders.
– Hands.
– Buttocks.
– Hips.
– Feet.
– Lower back.
– Heels.
If you notice that your pain is getting worse ever morning or after you have been inactive for a longer time, or your spine is rigid and curved forwards, you should talk to your doctor. This condition can cause tiredness, swelling in the joints, and trouble taking deep breaths.
Other forms of arthritis
As it was briefly mentioned, there are different forms of arthritis. The osteoarthritis is one of the most common forms, but you also have others that will present themselves differently. Such as psoriatic arthritis that can be very uncomfortable. If you are interested, you could check out https://arthritiscare.com.au/service/psoriatic-arthritis or you can do your own research instead.
Psoriatic arthritis can affect some people who have psoriasis
Final word
If you think that there might be something wrong, or you are feeling pain in your joints, do not hesitate to talk to your doctor. Know that feeling pain on a daily basis is not something normal, thus you should definitely talk to your doctor about this. Schedule a consultation and have a good chat with a doctor you trust.
