Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) is a type of arthritis that affects the joints of the spine in the neck and lower back. It also can affect other parts of the body, including eyes, ligaments, or tendons in the hips, shoulders, knees, or ankles. The joints and ligaments of the spine that allow movement become inflamed and stiff in this condition. 

The exact cause of this disease isn't known, but the medical community does have some ideas about what could cause it. They think it may be hereditary, and it possibly has a connection to certain bacteria. According to them, HLA-B27 is the primary gene that increases the risk of developing the disease.

If you are diagnosed with the disease, the following symptoms may occur:

•    Lower back pain and stiffness that lasts for more than three months.
•    Hip pain
•    Inflammation of joints
•    Neck pain
•    Difficulty breathing
•    Fatigue
•    unexplained weight loss along with loss of appetite
•    Abdominal pain and diarrhoea
•    Skin rash
•    Vision problems

Treatments can prevent long-term complications, reduce joint damage and ease the pain. These treatments include:

•    Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
•    Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs)
•    Corticosteroids
•    Surgery 
•    Self-care techniques like Exercise, a Nutritious diet, Maintaining a healthy weight and avoiding alcohol & smoking.

As Ankylosing Spondylitis can impact your health in a variety of ways, it’s important to consult a specialist who can help manage the condition and your overall health. A Rheumatologist specializes in treating conditions of the joints, muscles, and bones and conditions caused by the body's immune system that affect these structures and organs.

At Sarvodaya Hospital, Sec-8 Faridabad, we have an expert Rheumatologist, who has earned vast experience in treating a wide spectrum of rheumatological illnesses. We also have advanced diagnostic technologies that help detect the disease early in its phases.