Ankylosing Spondylitis is a rheumatic disease which affects the joints between the vertebrae of the spine. It causes to pain and stiffness in the various part of the body such as back, neck, hips, jaw and in some people inflamed eyes and heart valves and totally makes damage to the spinal cord.

Symptoms of Ankylosing Spondlitis :

o Chronic stooping to relieve symptoms
o Eye inflammation
o Fatigue
o Heel pain
o Hip pain and stiffness
o Joint pain and joint swelling in the shoulders, knees, and ankles
o Limited expansion of the chest
o Limited range of motion, especially involving spine and hips
o Low-back pain that is worse at night, in the morning, or after inactivity
o Loss of appetite
o Neck pain
o Slight fever
o Stiffness and limited motion in the low back
o Weight loss

The risk factors that predispose a person to ankylosing spondylitis include:

o Testing positive for the HLA-B27 marker
o A family history of AS
o Frequent gastrointestinal infections

Treatment of Ankylosing Spondlitis :

Doctor may prescribe nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to reduce inflammation and pain. Corticosteroid therapy or medications to suppress the immune system may be also prescribed. Drugs called TNF-inhibitors, which block an inflammatory protein, have been shown to improve the symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis.Some health care professionals use cytotoxic drugs (drugs that block cell growth) in people who do not respond well to corticosteroids or who are dependent on high doses of corticosteroids.

Surgery is done if pain or joint damage is severe.

Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic condition. Also called spondylitis or rheumatoid spondylitis, ankylosing spondylitis affects about 129 of every 100,000 people in the United States. Ankylosing spondylitis affects males 2-3 times more commonly than females.