What is ankylosing spondylitis?
At ankylosing spondylitis can ignite different joints in the body. In particular, the joints of the spine and the sacroiliac joint. The sacroiliac joint is the joint between the spine and the pelvis. Other joints, such as knees, hips and shoulders, can are inflamed. By prolonged inflammation of the joints may be stiff or painful joints. Bekhterev's disease is also called called ankylosing spondylitis. This means "stiffening of the joints in the back".
What causes ankylosing spondylitis ?
The cause of ankylosing spondylitis is still unknown. The disease occurs more often in men than in women and usually begins at the age between 15 and 35 years. Ankylosing spondylitis is a rheumatologic condition, but not the same as rheumatism (rheumatoid arthritis). In certain families is ankylosing spondylitis more for. When a father or mother ankylosing spondylitis, the chance that their child's illness also gets about 1 in 10 (10%).
What are the symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis ?
Ankylosing spondylitis symptoms :
*At ankylosing spondylitis can you get complaints of pain and stiffness of the (under) back or pelvis. Especially at night and in the morning.
*The stiffness in your back or pelvis takes at least one hour in the morning.
*The pain and stiffness are less when you move. Rest does not help.
*Take the complaints at least 3 months.
Other phenomena that sometimes occur in ankylosing spondylitis are:
*inflammation in the eye
*inflammation of other joints, such as knees, shoulders, hip
*inflammation of tendons, especially the achilles tendon
*sore feet or fingers
People with ankylosing spondylitis have a slightly increased risk of certain skin diseases and intestinal diseases.
How is ankylosing spondylitis shown ?
To the phenomena can often estimate or your family doctor to ankylosing spondylitis goes. Sometimes it will let the doctor make a radiograph. On a picture of the pelvis can inflammatory phenomena to show up in the joint between the sacrum and the iliac crest. This so-called sacroiliac joints on both sides sit low in the lower back. Sometimes there are also blood tests done.
Medications with ankylosing spondylitis
Medications can not cure the disease, but the slow inflammation and reduce pain and stiffness. Physical activity and exercise are often better than succeed. Anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or diclofenac, can assist with ankylosing spondylitis reduce pain or stiffness. You do when you have no symptoms, do not use the drugs. NSAIDS may cause side effects. Talk to your doctor or medications are appropriate for you. If NSAIDs insufficient help other medications may possibly help. To do your GP refers you to a rheumatologist. Examples of these anti-inflammatory drugs are infliximab, etanercept and adalimumab.
Opinions in ankylosing spondylitis
You can not do anything to prevent you from getting this disease. Exercising is good. Rest does not help relieve the symptoms. Make sure you are walking or cycling as a daily piece. For example, one or two times a week swimming. Also yoga or gymnastics can be a good way to be able to keep moving as smoothly as possible. Exercise therapy in the physiotherapist, Mensendieck or cesar therapist can help relieve the symptoms.
When contact ankylosing spondylitis ?
Do you doubt whether you have ankylosing spondylitis or want a treatment with painkillers at ankylosing spondylitis, please contact your family doctor.
Also, contact your health care provider if you have ankylosing spondylitis these complaints:
*a red eye
*a painful eye
*less well see
*distortion of the pupil
This eye symptoms can come through an internal eye inflammation. They should then be treated with anti-inflammatory eye drops.