Joints

Ankylosing spondylitis has no known specific cause, though genetic factors seem to be involved. In particular, people who have a gene called HLA-B27 are at an increased risk of developing ankylosing spondylitis. However, only some people with the gene develop the condition. Ankylosing spondylitis  risk factors: Your sex. Men are more likely to develop ankylosing […] Read More

Seek medical attention if you have low back or buttock pain that came on slowly, is worse in the morning, or awakens you from your sleep in the second half of the night — particularly if this pain improves with exercise and worsens with rest. See an eye specialist immediately if you develop a painful […] Read More

Early signs and symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis might include pain and stiffness in your lower back and hips, especially in the morning and after periods of inactivity. Neck pain and fatigue also are common. Over time, symptoms might worsen, improve or stop at irregular intervals. The areas most commonly affected are: The joint between the […] Read More

Get enough sleep and eat a healthy diet. This may help minimize fatigue that can occur with AS. Eat a healthy diet. Eating a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids may help reduce inflammation. Stretch. Stretching may help increase your range of motion and can improve your posture. Exercise. Exercise is considered helpful for managing […] Read More

The average time from when a person first noticed symptoms of AS to a diagnosis of AS is about 8 years. That’s partly because AS can be difficult to diagnose in its early stages. Not only does AS affect people in different ways, but it also usually begins very slowly. It can also be mistaken […] Read More

There is no cure for ankylosing spondylitis, but there are several approved treatments that can help manage the symptoms. Options include over-the-counter pain relievers, anti-inflammatory drugs, and prescription medicines. Your doctor may also prescribe an individualized exercise program. These treatments can help manage symptoms of AS, including pain. Read More

AS affects everyone differently, with some people having back pain and stiffness that comes and goes, while others suffer more severe pain that leads to varying degrees of spinal stiffness as the disease progresses. For almost everyone, AS will cause a cycle of very painful periods of time (flares) followed by periods when the symptoms […] Read More

The exact cause of AS is unknown, but it’s considered to be a systemic, or whole body, “autoimmune” disease—a disease in which the immune system attacks other parts of the body. In the case of AS, the immune system attacks the spine and other areas of the body, causing the joints, tendons, and ligaments to […] Read More

In the United States, AS affects about 0.2-0.5% of the population. Men are about 2 to 3 times more likely to be affected by AS than women, and it usually begins between late teens to age 40. When AS symptoms begin at the age of 16 or younger, it is called juvenile-onset AS. Read More

In the United States, AS affects about 0.2-0.5% of the population. Men are about 2 to 3 times more likely to be affected by AS than women, and it usually begins between late teens to age 40. When AS symptoms begin at the age of 16 or younger, it is called juvenile-onset AS. Read More