This disease is also called ankylosing spondylitis and is a rheumatic disease that causes inflammation of the spinal and sacroiliac joints. In many cases it manifests itself in phases of low back pain, can affect the entire spine and peripheral joints, causing pain in the spine and joints, stiffness of the spine, loss of mobility, and progressive deformation of the joints. In addition to these manifestations, it can also be accompanied by inflammation in the eyes or in the heart valves.
Symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis include:
- In many cases, it is manifested by pain during the night and loss of mobility in the lumbar region (these are early manifestations). Although in most cases, the symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis begin in the lumbar and sacroiliac areas, they usually also affect the cervical and dorsal segments of the spine.
- The heart valves will be damaged
- In other cases, this disease develops inflammatory bowel disease and some patients have a high fever, fatigue, weight loss, and anemia.
- Other visceral or bone diseases may be confused with ankylosing spondylitis. However, they can be distinguished by laboratory evaluation to demonstrate inflammation, anemia, or positivity of HLAB27 (genetic marker). X-rays and bone scans may also show characteristic changes.
Ankylosing spondylitis treatments are:
- You can use anti-inflammatory drugs such as turmeric, devil’s claw, etc. These have the role of relieving pain and reducing joint inflammation, which will allow the patient a better quality of life and will avoid discomfort during the night’s rest.
- Analgesics (Anamu): Used to relieve pain.
- In addition, you can take nutritional supplements based on vitamins C, E, and shark cartilage.
- Astragalus: It is used, fundamentally, to stop arthritis of the peripheral joints.
- Rehabilitation: it is essential that people suffering from ankylosing spondylitis perform the physical exercises recommended by the naturopath. Thus, because the disease usually causes a deformity of the spine (forward curvature), it is advisable for the patient to practice sports that strengthen the back. Undoubtedly, the best exercise for this is swimming. Breathing exercises will also increase lung capacity. Complementary therapies such as acupuncture will be helpful.
- And last but not least, you can resort to surgery. This method is recommended when the joints are badly damaged and mobility has been lost, surgery is required.