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Ankylosing Spondylitis - Symptoms, Causes and Prevention

Ankylosing Spondylitis in Urdu

یہ ریڑھ کی ہڈی کو متاثر کرنے والی بیماری ہے جس کی علامات میں درد اور گردن کے پٹھوں کا کھچائو شامل ہیں۔ سانس میں دقت اور ریڑھ کی لچک کم ہونے کی علامات بھی ظاہر ہو سکتی ہیں۔

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Summary about Ankylosing Spondylitis in English

Spondylosis refers to an inflammatory condition that causes the vertebrae in the spine to fuse over time. This fusion makes the spine less flexible, resulting in a hunched posture. Breathing deeply can be difficult if the ribs are impacted. Although there is no cure for ankylosing spondylitis, therapies can help to alleviate symptoms and reduce the disease's progression. Therefore, ankylosing spondylitis patients can expect a similar life expectancy as the general population.

Ankylosing Spondylitis Facts and Figures:

Ankylosing spondylitis affects approximately 0.1 to 1.4% of people around the world, including some celebrities. Here are some facts and statistics about Ankylosing Spondylitis in Pakistan according to a study published in the Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences:

Prevalence in Pakistan 0.5 to 1%
Commonly AffectsYoung Adults 
At-Risk GenderMales
Age for Early symptoms20 to 40 years
Average Age for DiagnosisBefore 45 years
Problems related to Ankylosing SpondylitisOsteoporosis, spinal fractures, Cardiovascular disease, Joint damage
Specialists who Treat Ankylosing SpondylitisRheumatologists


Symptoms of Ankylosing Spondylitis

Early symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis include:

  • pain and stiffness in hips and lower back in the morning and after long periods of inactivity. 
  • Fatigue and Neck pain 

The areas commonly affected are:

  • The joint present between the base of the spine and pelvis
  • The vertebrae in your lower back
  • The points where tendons and ligaments connect to bones, mainly in the spine but also on the back of the heel.
  • The cartilage between the breastbone and ribs
  • The shoulder and hip joints

If you have any of the symptoms given above, it is important to consult a doctor. You can book an online appointment with the Best Rheumatologists in Pakistan now via Marham. 

Causes of Ankylosing Spondylitis

The cause of ankylosing spondylitis is unknown, though hereditary factors appear to play a role. People with the HLA-B27 gene, in particular, are at a much higher risk of developing ankylosing spondylitis. However, only a small percentage of persons who carry the gene acquire the disease.

Preventive Measures of Ankylosing Spondylitis

Since Ankylosing Spondylitis is mostly caused due to genetic problems are no preventive measures. However, AS can be treated through:

  • Medications: The most popular treatments for ankylosing spondylitis are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). If NSAIDs don't work, your doctor may prescribe a tumor necrosis factor blocker or perhaps an interleukin-17 inhibitor. New drugs for the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis are also being discovered. 
  • Therapy: To maintain good posture, you might be taught proper walking and sleeping positions, motion and stretching exercises, and strengthening exercises for your abdominal and back muscles.
  • Surgery: Surgery can be recommended if you experience severe pain or severely injured hip joint and needs to be replaced.