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Ankylosing Spondylitis more about Ankylosing Spondylitis Marie-Strumpell disease or rheumatoid spondylitis Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the joints of the spine and those connecting to the spine, such as the sacroiliac joint.  This is an arthritic condition involving stiffness in joints, with resultant pain and stiffness in the back and hips, and difficulty taking deep breaths, due to rib connection to spine.  The underlying cause is thought to involve the autoimmune response (the body's immune system mistakenly attacks these joints).  The age of onset is usually late teens or early 20's, with a male predominance. Morning stiffness Hip and shoulder pain Stiffness improves with activity Intermittent bouts of lower back pain (that may radiate to thighs) Progressive limitation of back motion Difficulty with chest expansion ("taking a deep breath") -- pleuritic chest pain is common Arthritis (stiffness and/or pain) in other joints such as hips, shoulders, and knees Uveitis (blurred vision, tearing, and light causes eye pain) Rarely, heart and lungs may be affected. Aortic root dilation Aortic Regurgitation Probable autoimmune (explained above) Genetic predisposition in those who carry the HLA-B27 gene Laboratory Tests: Elevated Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) Mild Anemia HLA-B27 positive in 90% of cases Absent Rheumatoid factor Imaging Sacroiliac joint (spine connection to pelvic bone) is abnormal on X-Ray and CT scan Spine X-Rays are abnormal ("bamboo spine" appearance) Educational/emotional support Physical and occupational therapy Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories, especially indomethacin Sulfasalazine Reiter's Syndrome Rheumatoid Arthritis Osteoporosis Herniated disc(s) of spine Back Injury Lumbar Spinal Stenosis more about Ankylosing Spondylitis If you want your friend to read or know about this article, Click here Select a Health Topic ADD/ADHD Allergy Alternative Medicine Arthritis Asthma Beyond Dieting Body Aches and Pains Breast Cancer Cancer Awareness Cardio Health Children's Health Colon Cancer Contraception COPD/Emphysema Dental Health Diabetes Elder Care Emergency Room Epilepsy Erectile Dysfunction Eye Care Fertility Fitness Gastrointestinal Health Glands and Hormones Gynecologic Health Hair Loss Headache Healthcare Today Healthy Aging HIV and AIDS Infectious Diseases Kidney Health Leukemia Liver Health Lung Cancer Lymphoma Multiple Sclerosis Men's Health Mental Health Nutrition Osteoporosis Parkinson's Disease Pregnancy & Childbirth Sexual Health Skin Health Sleep Disorders Special Events Stroke Surgeries and Procedures Teen Health Thyroid Health Urologic Health Vascular Disease Women's Health Workplace Health Home   |   About Us   |   Contact Us   |   Employment Ad   |   Help Terms and Conditions under which this service is provided to you. Read our Privacy Policy. Copyright © 2002 - 2003 eCureMe, Inc All right reserved.