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Symptoms of Ankylosing Spondylitis


"Slowly the pain in the back started, lasted a few days and then suddenly disappeared only to come back again after a few days".


Gradual progress of ankylosing spondylitis makes it difficult for the patients to exactly pin-point the onset of the ailment. In addition, the initial symptoms are vague such as nagging pain and stiffness (arthritis) in the lower back and hips that has lasted for quite some time. Thus, by the time patients seek treatment, the disease has already progressed to a certain level.


The classical areas that are affected by this condition are:


Spine (cervical, dorsal, lumbar)


Sacro-iliac joints


Knees, hips, shoulders


Joints between the ribs and the spine


Eyes


Symptoms due to the affection of these areas include:


Backache and stiffness along the spine – usually worse in the mornings or after periods of inactivity


The joint pain (arthritis) experienced by the patient is often relieved by motion, applying local heat or taking a warm shower


Pain in the hips, buttock pain


Difficulty in bending down (inflexibility)


Stooping posture due to chronic back pain


Neck pain


Pain in heels


Affection of other joints leading to pain and stiffness – E.g. knee pain, shoulder pain, ankle pain


Expansion of the chest during breathing is restricted


Fatigue


Loss of appetite


Weight loss


Inflammation of the eyes (iritis) where there is redness of eyes and pain while looking at bright lights


Lungs may be affected by ankylosing spondylitis leading to breathing difficulty


Pain and stiffness in the back of the heel (Achilles tendinitis)


Inflammation of the tissues of the bottom of the foot causing pain (plantar fasciitis)


Rarely the electrical system of the heart may be affected leading to a slow heart rate – patient experiences symptoms of dizziness, fainting and shortness of breath in such cases


The kidney may also be affected leading to accumulation of the toxins in the body that causes nausea and chronic fatigue


Advanced cases with chronic affection can develop a completely fused spine – here all the joints in between the vertebrae are fused (ankylosed) and the patient develops an inflexible spine. The spine pain or backache usually disappears at this stage. Such a fused spine is very prone to develop fractures due to injury.


During the course of this disease, there are periods when the patient is absolutely free of pain or any complaints (remission) and periods when the disease becomes active again (relapses).


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