Latest news with #ankylosingspondylitis
Health Line
09-07-2025
- Health
- Health Line
What Are the Complications of Ankylosing Spondylitis?
Key takeaways Ankylosing spondylitis can lead to long-term joint pain and damage, potentially affecting the spine, hips, jaw, chest, neck, ribs, knees, heels, and fingers. The condition may cause neurological issues like cauda equina syndrome, resulting in symptoms such as sciatica, incontinence, and pain in the buttocks and legs. Untreated ankylosing spondylitis can lead to complications such as chronic fatigue, spinal fusion, eye problems, and cardiovascular disease, highlighting the importance of early diagnosis and management. Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a type of arthritis that affects your spine, causing inflammation of the sacroiliac joints in your pelvis. These joints connect the sacrum bone in the lower part of your spine to your pelvis. The most common symptoms of AS include pain and stiffness in your lower back, which can reduce your mobility and make daily activities more difficult. Several lifestyle strategies and medical treatments can help you manage AS, but the condition may lead to complications that could affect more than just your mobility. Keep reading to learn more about the possible complications of AS. Joint pain and damage The most common complication of AS is chronic (long-term) joint pain and damage to your spine. You might also experience pain, stiffness, and damage to other joints in your body or in areas where ligaments, tendons, and cartilage attach to bones. These areas may include your: hips jaw chest neck ribs knees heels fingers Inflammation may spread to the joints and cartilage in your rib cage. Over time, the bones may fuse, making it difficult for your chest to expand and causing pain when you breathe. Fatigue Chronic fatigue is one of the most common symptoms of AS, after joint pain and stiffness. Fatigue is more than just being tired. It often includes a lack of energy, severe tiredness, or brain fog. Many factors related to AS may cause fatigue, including: loss of sleep due to pain or discomfort anemia muscle weakness, which means your body must work harder to move around depression, other mental health conditions, and neurological changes the use of certain medications to treat arthritis A doctor may suggest more than one type of treatment to address fatigue. Eye problems Inflammation in one or both of your eyes is called iritis or uveitis. According to the Spondylitis Association of America (SAA), about half of all people with AS will experience iritis at least once in their lifetime. It's important to get immediate medical treatment if you have AS and experience any of the following eye symptoms: redness swelling pain blurry vision If left untreated, iritis may lead to permanent eye damage. »More on this: What's the link between AS and eye inflammation? Gastrointestinal problems With AS, it's possible that you'll experience inflammation of your digestive tract, either before or after you begin to experience joint symptoms. According to the SAA, 1 in 2 people with AS experience some gastrointestinal inflammation. This can result in stomach pain, diarrhea, and digestive problems. Up to 1 in 2 people with AS may also experience inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Fused spine As the joints in your spine become inflamed and damaged, new bone can form between your vertebrae (spinal bones). Over time, this may cause ankylosis, which is the fusion of vertebrae. As a result of this, you may have more difficulty bending and twisting. If you don't maintain a neutral ('good') posture, a fused spine can result in a long-term stooped posture. A healthcare professional may recommend focused exercises, swimming, or water-based aerobics to help maintain your mobility and prevent a fused spine. In severe cases, they may also recommend surgery. According to the Arthritis Foundation, spinal fusion surgery can help treat spinal fusion in 4 out of 5 cases. However, surgery may sometimes cause an increase in reactive bone formation, which can worsen symptoms rather than lessen them. It's important to work with a healthcare team that includes an orthopedic surgeon and a rheumatologist to decide whether surgery is a good option for you. Heart and lung problems Inflammation can sometimes spread to the aorta, the biggest artery in your body. Inflammation can prevent the aorta from functioning properly, leading to cardiovascular problems. Heart problems associated with AS may include: According to the SAA, up to 1 in 10 people with AS experience cardiovascular problems associated with inflammation. People with AS also have an increased risk of developing lung and breathing complications. For instance, interstitial lung disease may occur as a result of damage to lung tissue. And restrictive pulmonary disease may occur if the bones in your rib cage fuse together, which can make it difficult for your chest to expand and can cause pain with breathing. When to connect with a doctor If you experience back pain, stiffness, or other symptoms of AS, consider speaking with a healthcare professional. They can assess your symptoms and perform several tests to determine the underlying cause. These tests may include: blood tests for inflammation and anemia X-ray MRI ultrasound genetic tests Early diagnosis and treatment can help you manage your symptoms and reduce the risk of complications. Frequently asked questions What is the most common complication of ankylosing spondylitis? The most common complications of ankylosing spondylitis are reduced mobility (as a result of joint pain and stiffness) and chronic fatigue. Other common complications include eye inflammation and gastrointestinal problems, such as IBD. The most common complications of ankylosing spondylitis are reduced mobility (as a result of joint pain and stiffness) and chronic fatigue. Other common complications include eye inflammation and gastrointestinal problems, such as IBD. What is the most serious complication of spondylosis? In rare cases, spondylosis may lead to complications that require medical attention, including cauda equina syndrome, bone fractures, and spondylodiscitis (spinal infection). In rare cases, spondylosis may lead to complications that require medical attention, including cauda equina syndrome, bone fractures, and spondylodiscitis (spinal infection). Will I end up in a wheelchair with ankylosing spondylitis? You may need to use a wheelchair if you have severe ankylosing spondylitis because the condition may reduce your physical mobility and function, affecting your ability to walk. That said, a treatment plan that includes exercise, medication, and lifestyle changes can greatly reduce the likelihood that you'll need to use a wheelchair for ankylosing spondylitis. You may need to use a wheelchair if you have severe ankylosing spondylitis because the condition may reduce your physical mobility and function, affecting your ability to walk. That said, a treatment plan that includes exercise, medication, and lifestyle changes can greatly reduce the likelihood that you'll need to use a wheelchair for ankylosing spondylitis.
Health Line
09-07-2025
- Health
- Health Line
Managing Your Day-to-Day with Ankylosing Spondylitis
Key takeaways 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.
