Managing Your Day-to-Day with Ankylosing Spondylitis
Understanding ankylosing spondylitis is essential, as gaining knowledge about the condition and its varied symptoms can empower you to take control and improve your quality of life.
Joining a support group can provide emotional support and practical tips from others facing similar challenges, helping to reduce feelings of isolation and improve your overall mood.
Regular visits to a rheumatologist are crucial for managing AS, as they can monitor the disease's progression, share new research, and recommend exercises to maintain or improve your mobility.
Life with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) can be, well, burdensome to say the least. Learning how to adapt to your progressive disease can take some time and bring about a whole set of dilemmas. But by breaking up your AS management into workable chunks, you too can live a productive life.
Here are three management tips from others with AS on coming to terms and handling life with the disease.
1. Learn everything you can about the condition
Ankylosing spondylitis is just as hard to pronounce as it is to understand. Everyone experiences different symptoms and challenges, but knowing as much as you can about it can provide a sense of relief. Doing your own research and arming yourself with knowledge is liberating. It puts you in the driver seat of your own life and your condition, providing you with the tools you need to feel better and, more importantly, live better too.
2. Join a support group
Because there's no known cause of the disease, it's easy for those diagnosed with AS to blame themselves. This can trigger a wave of emotions, including feelings of sadness, depression, and overall moodiness.
Finding a support group of other patients who are experiencing similar challenges can be both empowering and inspiring. By talking with others, you'll be able to confront your condition directly while also learn tips from others. Ask your healthcare provider about local groups, or contact a national organization such as the Spondylitis Association of America to find an online AS group. Social media is another way to connect with other patients.
3. See your rheumatologist regularly
Nobody really enjoys going to the doctor. But when you have AS, it quickly becomes an essential part of your life.
Your rheumatologist specializes in arthritis and related conditions, so they truly understand AS and how to best treat and manage it. By seeing your rheumatologist regularly, they will have a better sense of your disease progression. They can also share with you new research and promising studies about treating AS, and suggest certain strengthening exercises to maintain or increase your mobility.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
6 minutes ago
- Yahoo
A new mom lost it over a BLT—and every parent understands why
When author and mom of four Caroline Chambers shared that her husband ate her BLT sandwich just five days after she gave birth, moms across the internet instantly got it. Because when your nipples are cracked, your hormones are surging, you're bleeding, sleep-deprived, and your newborn refuses to latch… the sandwich matters. 'George ate the effing BLT while I was in the other room feeding the baby. I cried. We have since made amends,' Chambers wrote in a now-viral Instagram post. To outsiders, it might just look like bacon. But for a postpartum mom, it can feel like a reminder of how invisible her needs have become. Related: 'Looking good for postpartum' isn't the compliment we think it is—Kylie Kelce has a better idea It was never about the sandwich The story's simple: Chambers was trying to eat a prized BLT one-handed while her newborn refused to cooperate. She left it on the counter to feed her baby, only to discover later that her husband had eaten every last bite. It triggered an ugly cry that so many overwhelmed moms instantly recognized. Postpartum deserves to be seen as a full chapter Chambers, who gave birth to her fourth baby on July 16, says postpartum hit differently this time. Even as a seasoned mom, she's still managing cracked nipples, breast engorgement, and the surreal experience of re-meeting her body after birth. 'I stared at my naked body today in the mirror and was like who even is that,' she wrote on Instagram. She's also combo feeding—breastfeeding, pumping, and using formula—to get through a rocky nursing journey. And she's not apologizing for it. 'I feel very grateful that this is my fourth child, and I don't feel like I'm going to destroy his health and intelligence if I don't breastfeed him at every single feeding,' she told Sometimes, moms need more than we know how to ask for For many new moms, it's not just about a sandwich being eaten. In the fog of postpartum recovery, even the basics can feel impossible to manage alone: remembering to eat, staying hydrated, finding time to shower. When a partner unknowingly takes away one of the only things you were looking forward to that day, it can feel like a gut punch. Chambers' BLT moment resonated because it pointed to something bigger. New mothers often feel unseen—physically depleted, emotionally drained, and still expected to give endlessly. What they need is means partners learning to anticipate needs, not waiting to be asked. It means making sure she's eaten before grabbing your own plate, stepping in for baby duty without being asked, and understanding that rest and nourishment are essential for postpartum moms. What moms actually need? A village, not a vibe Chambers is currently on maternity leave, backed by the organic formula company Bobbie, which is sponsoring her leave to help shine a spotlight on the complete lack of paid leave for self-employed parents in the U.S. Her openness—and the public's reaction—shows how deeply moms are craving space to talk about the mess of it all. We celebrate moms with hashtags and Mother's Day cards, but when it comes to actual support—paid leave, affordable childcare, time to heal—we come up short. Related: Ballet moms are done hiding their postpartum bodies—and they're changing the rules of the stage The sandwich was sacred. So is the cry. No paid family leave. No universal childcare. And no room to rage-cry over a BLT without being labeled dramatic. But when a sandwich can feel like a lifeline, it's not just about food. It's about dignity. It's about the crushing mental load and the quiet, constant sacrifices we ask of mothers. And maybe most of all, it's about the need for softness in a society that still expects moms to carry it all—without complaint, without pause, and definitely without lunch. So the next time a new mom tells you she's weeping over bacon? Don't laugh. Just bring her a sandwich. And maybe ask if she's okay. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
6 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Inside the School-Day Scroll: New Data Reveals Student Smartphone Habits
Aura and UNC-Chapel Hill study published in JAMA Network Open reveals students spend nearly one hour a day on smartphones during school hours, majority on social media BOSTON, Aug. 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Aura, the leading AI-powered online safety platform for families, in collaboration with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's Winston Center on Technology and Brain Development, reveals just how common in-school phone use has become–and what students are doing with that time. Published by the JAMA Network, the peer-reviewed study analyzed over 600,000 days of smartphone activity from more than 11,000 U.S. students aged 10 to 17, using de-identified data collected through the Aura app. The findings reveal that students spend nearly one hour on their phones during the school day–and that nearly three-quarters of that time is spent on social media platforms, with TikTok leading the pack. The report arrives as a growing number of schools and states move to restrict or ban phones during the school day–citing distraction, decreased academic performance, and growing concerns about youth mental health. While some argue phones offer connectivity and learning tools, data on actual use during class has been scarce. "Parents often feel like they're flying blind when it comes to how their kids use technology–especially at school," said Dr. Scott Kollins, Chief Medical Officer at Aura. "This research offers a clearer picture. It's not about blame; it's about awareness. When we understand what's actually happening, we can work together–parents, schools, tech companies–to help kids build healthier digital habits that support learning and well-being." The data offers fresh insight into real-world behaviors during school hours: Students aged 14–17 used phones more than 10–13-year-olds (1.1 hours vs. 48 minutes per school day). Nearly three-quarters of in-school screen time went to social media, led by TikTok, then YouTube, Instagram, and Snapchat. Total weekday smartphone use averaged 2.9 hours, with one-third of that happening during school hours. 7.7% of students averaged more than 2 hours of phone use during the school day. "With more than half a million school-days analyzed, this study gives us unprecedented insight into when and how kids reach for their phones in real-world classroom settings," said Dr. Annie Maheux, Assistant Professor of Psychology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. "As schools grapple with how to manage technology in the classroom, findings like these are critical for shaping policies grounded in evidence." For the full Smartphone Engagement During School Hours Among U.S. Youth report, please click here. MethodologyThe Smart Phone Engagement report studied de-identified data from 11,382 students aged 10-17 from the Aura app. Smartphone activity was calculated by taking total minutes that students were active on a smartphone device between 8 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on weekdays and then averaging across available days. Data was collected after September 4, 2024 and before February 20, 2025, excluding Thanksgiving Week and December Holidays through the New Year. The study followed accepted research standards (STROBE guidelines). About AuraAura is one of the fastest-growing online safety solutions for individuals and families. Whether you're protecting yourself, your kids or your aging loved ones, Aura meets your needs at every stage of life. From real-time threat detection and scam alerts to tools that help parents protect their kids from predators, cyberbullying and tech-driven mental health risks — Aura empowers families to thrive in the digital world. Learn more at About the Winston Center on Technology and Brain DevelopmentThe Winston Center on Technology and Brain Development at the University of North Carolina is a preeminent research center dedicated to exploring how technology influences human development, particularly in shaping the brains, lives, and futures of young people. Learn more at About JAMA Network®The JAMA Network brings JAMA together with JAMA Network Open and 11 specialty journals to offer enhanced access to the educational content, scientific research, and opinion shaping the future of medicine. Published continuously since 1883, JAMA is one of the most widely circulated, peer-reviewed, general medical journals in the world. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Aura Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
6 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Abortion pioneer died at 93 in hospital after being diagnosed with dementia
A pioneer of abortion services in the United States died at the age of 93 after being detained under the mental health act at a Dorset hospital after suffering paranoia and delirium having been diagnosed with dementia, an inquest has heard. Dr Horace Hale Harvey III, who was born in New Orleans in December 1931, opened one of the first independent abortion clinics in the US in Manhattan in July 1970 after New York State had reformed its laws. The clinic, called Women's Services, provided safe and affordable abortions. In an obituary, the New York Times reported that Dr Harvey had become an abortion provider to 'combat what he felt was an epidemic of unsafe abortions at a time when unmarried women were denied access to contraceptives, and when comprehensive sex education was discouraged'. Dr Harvey, who had a son and a daughter, later moved to the Isle of Wight and worked for public health services there but in 2014 moved to Dorset after his house burned down. The obituary states that Dr Harvey had chosen the Isle of Wight because 'according to his research, it had the highest average temperature and received more hours of sunlight than anywhere else in England'. In a statement read to the Bournemouth inquest, his daughter Kate said that her father was 'very determined' to keep healthy by walking a mile and doing 20 squats each day and said he 'enjoyed laughter and making up jokes' as well as activities such as dance, table tennis and snooker. She added that he was a scholar who was 'committed to Aristotelian ethics and scientific learning'. The inquest heard that in late 2024, Dr Harvey was diagnosed with Alzheimer's and PTSD after the house fire 10 years earlier. On January 22 2025, he was taken to Dorset County Hospital having suffered a rib fracture in a fall at home. After physiotherapists expressed concerns at his ability to understand care instructions, he was assessed by psychiatrists and was detained under the mental health act. Coroner Richard Middleton said that Dr Harvey was increasingly experiencing delirium and paranoia. He said that Dr Harvey was found dead in his hospital bed in the early hours of February 14 and a post-mortem examination found he died of natural causes from ischaemic heart disease and coronary artery disease. The coroner, recording a conclusion of death by natural causes, explained that the inquest had to be held by law because Dr Harvey was formally detained by the state at the time of his death. Mr Middleton added: 'I express my deepest condolences to all of Dr Harvey's family and friends for their loss.'
