Ankylosing spondylitis is a type of rare arthritis that affects the bones and joints in the spine. In this condition, the smaller bones in the spine fuse together, leading to difficulty in bending down or moving freely.

Extreme stages of the condition cause the sacroiliac (SI) joints to fuse with the pelvic bone, and this leads to an inability to stand erect or bend. This type of spondylitis affects people early in their life, usually before the age of 30.

Causes
Ankylosing spondylitis is an autoimmune condition. This means that the immune system in the body perceives your spinal bones and joints to be foreign substances and starts attacking them. The bone disorder is majorly genetic.

Symptoms

1. Curved spine
2. Pain around the buttocks, hip, thighs, feet, shoulders, and rib cage
3. Stiffness in the spine and body, especially in the mornings
4. Difficulty in taking deep breaths
5. Difficulty in bending down and straightening the body

Diagnosis
Though chronic back pain can be a result of many health conditions, it is mostly the first symptom for which patients visit their doctor. After ruling out all other common causes of back pain, doctors tend to suspect ankylosing spondylitis.

Apart from asking medical questions about the physical state of the person and finding out if the patient’s family had a history of this type of spondylitis, there are no other quantitative ways to diagnose the condition. An X-Ray or other imaging tests may show the extent of joint and bone damage. However, it does not diagnose the exact condition.

This disorder is confirmed when the condition worsens and the individual shows all the telltale signs associated with it.

Treatment options
There are no medications to help cure the condition as of now. However, there are some treatments for ankylosing spondylitis that may help manage the condition and prevent flare-ups of the symptoms.

1. NSAIDs: Non-Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) can help handle the pain associated with the bone and joint pain.
2. TNF blockers: TNF blockers are medications prescribed to bring down inflammation, stiffness, and pain in the spine.
3. Physical therapy: Physical therapy has to be started from the time the condition is diagnosed. It can take various forms, and helps in strengthening the spine bones and muscles. Actively continuing physical therapy also prevents the condition from causing irreparable damage.

Natural remedies

1. Be active: Being active is one of the best natural remedies to bring down the progression of ankylosing spondylitis. Being active reduces the stiffness in the spine and keeps you independent for a longer time.
2. Heat compress: Heat compress helps immensely to bring down the intensity of pain, especially in the mornings.
3. Hot water bath: Having a hot water shower makes the joints more flexible and prevents the stiffness from causing extreme pain.
4. Yoga: Yoga helps improve flexibility in the body and keeps you stress-free.

Best foods to have
Since ankylosing spondylitis is caused by inflammation, anti-inflammatory foods like the below-given ones can help with the symptoms.

1. Olives and olive oil
2. Fatty fish
3. Fish oil
4. All kinds of colored fruits, vegetables, and greens
5. Almonds and walnuts

Preventive measures
An autoimmune condition cannot be prevented and is mostly inherited genetically. You can, however, keep the condition at bay using the below preventive measures.

1. Losing weight can decrease the pressure put on the spine and can reduce pain.
2. Quitting smoking can keep pain and inflammation at bay.
3. Keep working on your posture. Find problem areas in the spine and correct them regularly to further ensure good spine health.

Ankylosing spondylitis is a condition that needs to be handled lifelong. 0.2-0.5% of the population in the country is diagnosed with it. Thankfully, the right medications and therapy can help improve one’s lifestyle, so one needs to be careful if they have a family history of the autoimmune disorder.