Updated on August 20, 2024
What is Ankylosing Spondylitis?
Ankylosing Spondylitis also known as AS (Axial Spondyloarthritis) and pronounced as an-kee-lo-zing spon-dee-litis is an inflammatory disease that can cause the bones in the spine, which is the vertebrae, to join together and form a single entity. This fusing makes the spine less flexible and can cause a hunched posture.
Symptoms of Ankylosing Spondylitis
Symptoms of Ankylosing Spondylitis typically begin in early adulthood or late adolescence, and if not tackled immediately can worsen rapidly.
It is important to see a medical practitioner as soon as possible to tackle the worsening of the disease.
Other symptoms include:
- Pain in the spine or pelvis that gradually spreads into the neck or eyes.
- Stiffness and aches in hips, and neck. (It is mostly mistaken as a general back pain.)
- Aches and pains in several areas such as the neck, thighs, and shoulders.
- Swelling in the fingers and toes results in swollen ankles and knees.
- Inflammation in the eyes.
Is Ankylosing Spondylitis A Disability In Australia?
In Australia, some forms of arthritis such as Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and Juvenile arthritis (JA) are considered to be a disability, and they are under List B as conditions that are likely to result in permanent impairment.
Although they are permanent conditions, how they affect each person varies.
As regards to the Australian Human Rights Commission, disability is defined under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 as “any condition, impairment, or disorder that has lasted or is likely to last for at least six months and restricts a person’s ability to carry out everyday activities.”
However, Ankylosing Spondylitis is an example of arthritis that is not listed among the disabilities the NDIS caters to. But it is still advised to apply for it, as you may be eligible.
Cases are attended to one after the other, which means you may be found eligible depending on how you present your case, and someone else who also applied for axial spondyloarthritis may not be considered eligible.
The exact cause of AS is unknown, and in most cases, it may seem like the disease runs in the family, mostly in people with the HLA-B27 gene.
However, only one out of eight people with the gene will develop ankylosing spondylitis, so having the gene does not necessarily mean you inherit the disease.
Ankylosing spondylitis occurs in about 1-2% of Australians in late adolescence or early adulthood, between the ages of 20-40 years.
It is about three to four times more common in men than women.
Can Ankylosing Spondylitis Be Cured?
Currently, there is no cure for Ankylosing Spondylitis, but there are certain measures that can be put in place to contain the disease.
Early uses of medicines can slow down any damage, relieve pain, or reduce the possibility of a long-term disability.
Constant treatment aims to achieve remission – the absence of symptoms and a return to normal function of the joints.
It is also important to constantly undergo exercises, one that can cause your body to be in constant motion.
The following medicines may be used along the line to subdue any type of damage the pain may want to cause.
- Painkillers such as paracetamols are very useful. They can be taken regularly to reduce the pain one may experience at the joint. It can be taken without a proper meal, more like a snack can suffice.
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can also reduce pain, and you may need to take these during bad patches. Some tablets are made in a slow-release formulation which can help with night-time pain and early morning stiffness, while some are made in the form of gels, that can be applied to the painful area.
- Steroids can be used as a short-term treatment for flare-ups. They are usually given as an injection to the swollen area, or as a slow-release injection to a muscle in the body. They can be useful for painful tendons. For cases of eye inflammation, it can be administered as an eye drop.
- Biological therapies are new correlative drugs that are effective for AS. These sets of drugs are only available to patients whose conditions are more severe and cannot be controlled with an anti-inflammatory drug. They may not be suitable for everyone, and the effect of these drugs will be monitored, all while completing questionnaires regularly that assess how active your disease is and how well it is responding to treatment.
In Conclusion..
Having Ankylosing Spondylitis does not mean it is the end of life. Treating it almost after finding out is the most important part. By engaging in regular exercises, meeting with your assigned doctors regularly, and taking your medications regularly, the disease can be contained.
Looking for reliable and trustworthy care services?
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