Treatment of ankylosing spondylitis

Treatment of ankylosing spondylitis is long and complex. So to avoid complications you should seek medical help in identifying the first symptoms.

Under Bechterew’s disease or ankylosing spondylitis in modern medicine understands chronic progressive disease that most often affects large joints of the legs and spine.

Sometimes is diagnosed with kidney disease, layer of the eye or the heart. The disease is characterized by inflammation of the intervertebral joints, which then leads to their merging and to limit the movement of the spine.

Symptoms

The main symptom of ankylosing spondylitis are considered to be pain in the spine, which over time are other abnormalities in the functioning of the body.

Pain syndrome has its own distinctive features:

1. The discomfort is felt in the sacral bone. The most drastic symptoms are observed in the morning. After a night’s sleep has difficulty moving the hands and feet. However, after 30 minutes, the symptoms pass on their own.
2. Usually worse the pain is not during movement and at rest. Relief cause physical classes.
3. Based on the form of the disease, the nature of its manifestation is different. From swelling of the joints of the lower limbs to the spine and stooped posture.

The inflammatory process may alternate remission and a significant exacerbations. In adolescents the symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis are similar to rheumatism. There is swelling of the large joints, redness of the skin in the problem area, increase in temperature.

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Over time, the pain only increases, at the same time there are unpleasant sensations, not only in the lumbar spine, but also extremities. At the same time can inflame several joints, even located asymmetrically.

There are situations in which there is loss of weight, increased sweating, a constant feeling of fatigue.
To determine whether the patient has ankylosing spondylitis when the first complaints is difficult due to implicit characteristics.

The differences of the symptoms in women and men

Experts say that the disease can manifest itself depending on the sex of the patients.
Ankylosing spondylitis in women in the early stages of development is unexpressed without signs of acute inflammatory processes.

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Experience long time intervals between onset of pain syndromes. From the onset of the pathology to its manifestations may be considerable (11-19 years). The source of the disease is often found on the spine and large joints, however, significant external changes of posture does not occur. Quite rare is considered damage to other organs and blood vessels.

Quite different is the development of ankylosing spondylitis in men. The first symptoms can occur after four years from the beginning of the development of the pathological process. Signs are pronounced with short periods of remission of pain. Risk of damage subjected to even small joints. Later violations occur in all parts of the spine with significant curvature and limited mobility.

Reasons

Factors affecting the occurrence of ankylosing spondylitis, modern medicine, while it could not be established. But among patients with this diagnosis almost every detected breach of the genes responsible for the immune system’s response to different types of diseases.

Due to the negative impact of various factors there is a change in the natural structure of the gene, which is antigen and can be inherited from parents. Reacts with normal cells, antigen considers them dangerous and tries to destroy.

The main causes contributing to the development of ankylosing spondylitis are:

• inflammatory processes in the urogenital system;
• violation of the endocrine glands;
• bowel disease caused by harmful bacteria;
• injuries of the spine or pelvis;
• hypothermia and viral infections.

It should be noted that the impact of pathogens is under a doubtful question, as to improve the health of patients in the case of antibiotics was observed. With regard to deviations related to immunity, it is a problem directly related to genetics.

Conservative therapies

The main factor in the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis affecting the probability of a positive outcome is timely medical care.

When the first signs of should consult the relevant doctor:

• the spine specialist on diseases of the spine;
• a rheumatologist for the establishment of joint problems;
• podiatrist appointments for treatment in disorders of the locomotor apparatus.

Diagnostic methods

The diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis has difficulty because of the similarity of symptoms with other types of abnormalities in the spine and joints.

Usually for diagnosis, first and foremost, takes into consideration the following characteristics:

1. For a long time (three months) the patient suffers from pain in the lower back. Discomfort is reduced during exercise and increases at rest.
2. The person having trouble breathing (it’s difficult to make a full inhalation).
3. Revealed bilateral inflammation of the sacroiliac joint.

Primary inspection

To establish a complete picture of the disease at the first meeting the attending physician examines the history of the disease and says patient complaints. It turns out the nature of pain and its localization. Sets the duration of the disease and possible methods of self-medication. It is important to determine under what circumstances the pain increases and diminishes.

In addition, important is the question of the existence of problems with the spine or joints in close relatives.
During an external inspection is carried out feeling of the spine revealed tenderness of the problem area. When pressed, the chest is determined the problem with the mobility of the ribs.

In the case of ankylosing spondylitis tilts the person forward will be quite limited. The low mobility of the thorax can be determined by measuring its circumference during inhalation and exhalation. In a healthy person, the difference shall not be less than six inches.

Identified in the first stage the symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis is committed to providing adequate diagnosis and treatment.

Examinations and tests

First, the doctor gives the direction of the overall laboratory analysis of blood. The results may indicate increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and a decrease in the amount of hemoglobin. These indicators indicate the presence of inflammation in the body.

Images obtained after passage of x-rays, will reveal inflammation of the hip joints, impaired bone structure of the spine and change its appearance, as well as reducing the size of the intervertebral discs.

Computed tomography and MRI provide a more accurate picture, compared to the x-ray. With their help, you can see the problem area in three-dimensional space, and also make layered shots. According to the doctors, these devices provide an opportunity to detect abnormalities at early stages. In this case, the forecast and Outlook are positive, and the disease is cured in a shorter time.

Also, if the patient’s complaints to problems with other organs, is assigned to the appropriate screening of abnormalities. This will enable you to establish an accurate diagnosis and prescribe the necessary drugs.

At the time of diagnosis, the disease can be mistaken for rheumatoid arthritis. However, it is worth considering that unlike arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis in women appears very rarely. And to differentiate this disease enough to pass the tests for detection of rheumatoid factor.

Ankylosing spondylitis refers to chronic diseases that can last for many years. According to experts, to recover from it completely is almost impossible. The pathological process can only slow down using drugs or other medical and therapeutic techniques.

Once diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis, treatment should be started immediately, otherwise increases the risk of abnormalities in the functioning of other organs.

Medication

Due to the fact that ankylosing spondylitis is caused by the production of autoimmune antibodies in the treatment process is applied of this disease drugs:

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) is an effective method of addressing the symptoms of the disease. According to statistics, the majority of patients after taking these drugs temporarily or permanently stop the ossification of the soft tissues of the spine. Most famous in this group of medicine is Diclofenac.

Corticosteroids are used in cases of low efficiency from the use of NSAIDs. These products allow to obtain a positive result in a short time. Patients note improvement in movement and reduction in pain. However, after the termination of their employment in a week the symptoms became still.

Immunosuppressants. Their primary goal is suppression of the immune system. A significant drawback in this case is a positive outcome only in the treatment of joints of the foot or hands. On the soft tissue of the spine, they influence do not render.

It should be noted that doctors in the appointment of only medical therapy is not always able to give a positive forecast. In this situation we are not talking about a full recovery, but only partial remission. Also keep in mind that drugs in this group have a negative impact on overall health.

One of the newest methods of treatment of this disease is the use of inhibitors of tumor necrosis factor – alpha. The application is based on stopping the inflammatory process by neutralizing its mediators using the developed biological agents – blockers. They are used mainly for the treatment of severe stages of the disease and in the absence of results from other types of therapy. Side effects as a result of applying virtually absent. The drug facilitates the well-being of the patient after the first injection.

Treatment of ankylosing spondylitis in Israel

Effective method of dealing with this disease is a complex procedure consisting of several stages:

• The patient stay in the hospital.
• Conducting a restorative treatment in a sanatorium.
• Subsequent regular monitoring of the patient and adjustment of the preventive measures.

Treatment of ankylosing spondylitis in Israel is considered successful due to the large number of resorts and hospitals located on the shore of the Dead sea. The first task of specialists is to relieve pain and increase mobility of the spine. Positive results are achieved through the use of mud baths, water procedures and physical therapy.

Is the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis in Israel under the supervision of doctors of high qualification. However, to achieve an effective result is possible only in case the patient’s compliance with all regulations.

Each country has its own distinctive features. So, the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis in China, in addition to the use of drugs, focuses on unconventional methods – acupuncture, chiropractic and vacuum therapy the use of herbs. Compared to European standards of treatment in hospitals, when dealing with this pathology in traditional Chinese medicine, the effect of the therapy is achieved through the improvement of all body systems and strengthen the internal forces.

In the early stages, doctors identify and eliminate the cause of the disease. The entire treatment process takes a long time and has several stages. Gradually removed the pain symptoms, reduced mobility of the spine and joints.

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The most famous medical institution in China is considered a military hospital in Dalian. For reviews of patients we can say that most of them after completing a full treatment course improves overall health and future quality of life.

Kinesitherapy

One of the new ways of treatment of ankylosing spondylitis is a method of kinesitherapy Bubnovskogo.
Its essence consists in carrying out a range of painkillers gymnastic exercises that allow you to generally strengthen the body. Each patient receives an individually developed taking into account the complexity of the disease and physical capabilities.

The technique allows you to do exercise even at home. The result is to increase the elasticity of muscles, improve joint mobility of the extremities, spine, and chest.

Special attention is paid to proper breathing during strenuous exercise when training with dumbbells or at the gym.

Also for pain relief by Bubnovsky’s method effective is the change in temperature. For example, after visiting the sauna there is a sharp dip in the tub with cold water.

Surgery is considered an extreme measure to eliminate severe consequences in advanced stages of ankylosing spondylitis. To surgical methods of treatment include:Surgery

The synovectomy

This procedure represents the removal of the synovial membrane in the case of prolonged inflammation in the joints. Most often the operation is performed when problems with his knees. Rarely in the pathology of the elbow and hip joints. In most cases, the result from this surgery positive. A treatment for ankylosing spondylitis in the future leaves the probability of recovery of the synovial membrane.

Corrective vertebrectomy

In case of heavily pronounced shape changes of the spine and torso in General, this operation is the only way to correct posture, improve the mobility of the spine and restore its core functions. Such surgery is advantageously carried out at the maximum point of the curve.

But there is a risk of circulatory disorders in the spinal cord. So often vertebrectomy carried out in the region of the lumbar spine. To eliminate the distortion used screw or fixing the vertebrae with the use of transpedicular fixation. After surgery the patient is prescribed constant wearing of a corset for three months.

Total joint replacement

The procedure is a modern technological method of treatment in which the damaged joint is replaced with prosthesis. In its form it is different from the normal joint and the capacity to perform all assigned responsibilities.
A large part of this type of operations is carried out to replace knee or hip joints.

Joint replacement is assigned in severe stages of ankylosing spondylitis and in many cases is the only way to restore motor functions.

The surgery is performed under local anesthesia and takes about one hour. The orthopedic surgeon in the area of the joint, a small incision is made, through which the replacement procedure. After that, the wound sutured.

The normal load on the hip joint can be given not earlier than two months. For knee joints, this period is about 5 days.

Doctors say that any types of surgery is not able to stop the pathological process in the joints or spine. Operations are assigned only to restore previously lost functions and are not the final step in the treatment of this disease.

Traditional methods of treatment

Treatment of ankylosing spondylitis folk remedies can’t guarantee a positive prognosis for a full recovery. However, this method is often effective for reducing pain and reducing symptoms. Very often used for these purposes, infusions for drinking, ointments and rubbing, bathing with the addition of decoctions.

To reduce pain may help the lubrication of joints and the spine juice of Celandine.

Effective folk remedy considered to be the Pat of the patient broom of Nettles for several minutes. The procedure should be repeated through the day.

Known method of treatment of ankylosing spondylitis are bee stings. However, this method can be used in case of tolerability of the body of the poison and lack of allergic reactions.

It is worth remembering that the use of traditional medicine in disease should be included in the complex in conjunction with other therapeutic techniques (massage, drugs, exercise, physiotherapy) and their use should be pre-agreed with your doctor.