Ankylosing spondylitis – Causes, risk factors, diagnosis, and symptoms

Ankylosing spondylitis is one of the significant forms of arthritis, primarily affecting the spinal cord. Due to persistent inflammation of the vital joints connecting the individual vertebrae, the condition fuses bones, resulting in a deformity that affects the back. According to the most recent estimates, ankylosing spondylitis is a prevalent condition among 0.2% to 0.5% of the population between 20 and 40 years.

Understanding the condition
Ankylosing spondylitis results in the gradual fusion of the vertebrae that form the entire spinal cord. This forces the back to lose its flexibility. As the vertebrae fuse, the pain and inflammation cause the individual bones to turn into what medical professionals call a “bamboo spine.” The inflammation first attacks the spine’s base near the pelvic region, primarily affecting the sacroiliac joints. From there, it spreads upwards, affecting the rest of the vertebrae in a progressive manner.

Causes
There are no direct known causes of this condition. Recent studies say it is a response to a certain protein factor mutation in the genetic sequence. However, several risk factors can contribute to the development of the condition. These mostly include:

• Age: The condition develops gradually in teens and young adults. With increasing age, the severity of the symptoms further determines the progressive nature of the condition. According to research, a majority of the cases develop by the time the affected person turns 45.
• Gender: Men are more susceptible to ankylosing spondylitis (the ratio is 2:1) and are also more vulnerable to severe symptoms than women. Women may experience severe pain and stiffness, but men are likely to develop complications linked to inflammation in other regions of the body.
• Ethnicity: There have been a handful of links to ethnicity being a risk factor that can contribute to the condition’s development. Research shows that the condition affects more Caucasian people compared to men and women hailing from other major ethnic groups.

Diagnosis
Due to its inherent nature and, in the case of women, the unpredictability of the area where the first symptoms may develop, it can be quite tricky to diagnose the condition properly. Bone and joint damage do not show up clearly in imaging tests. Therefore, owing to the ambiguity of the risk factors, there is no single method of confirming ankylosing spondylitis. At best, medical professionals can zero in on the condition on account of persistent and severe back pain, especially in the lower spinal region. Besides, a blood test can analyze the presence of any of the mutating protein factors that trigger the inflammatory.

Noticeable symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis
The vertebrae’s fusion results in tremendous pain and can trigger a number of associated discomforts that severely affect mobility and flexibility. These include;

• Severe pain experienced early in the morning or after sitting for prolonged periods
• Persistent pain around the lower back region, buttocks, hips, thighs, feet, heels moving upward towards the rib cage, hands, and even shoulders
• Rigidness and curving of the spine forcing one’s posture to bend forward
• Swelling in the joints due to persistent inflammation attacks
• Fatigue, tiredness, and problems with breathing
• Mild fever, loss of appetite, and numbness in certain areas during the early stages

Note that the symptoms of the condition develop differently depending on the gender of the affected person. On several occasions, women have first experienced discomfort in the upper neck as opposed to the lower back region.

Immediate medical attention is advisable when any of the symptoms persist. Early diagnosis allows doctors to explore treatments to help one manage the condition and improve quality of life.