Ankylosing Spondylitis
Ankylosing Spondylitis is a progressive, chronic, seronegative inflammatory disease involving the spine and the sacroiliac and peripheral joints. It's most commonly seen in the age group of 15-40 years and develops in roughly 0.5 to 1% of the general population. Classical ankylosing spondylitis is 3 to 4 times more common in men and than in women. This condition is a form of chronic inflammation of the spine and the sacroiliac joints. These joints are located in the lower back where the sacrum (the bone directly above the tailbone) meets the iliac bones (bones on either side of the upper buttocks). Chronic inflammation in these areas lead to pain and stiffness in and around the spine. As time passes, chronic inflammation of the spine can cause to a complete cementing together of the vertebrae, a process known as ankylosis, which leads to loss of mobility of the spine.
Causes
The precise cause of this condition is not understood. It has been considered to be an autoimmune disease. Genetic factors are likely to be involved and most of the individuals suffering from this condition have a gene known as HLA-B27. However, the presences of HLA-B27 is not absolutely diagnostic of AS.
Autoimmune Theory
Autoimmunity is considered to be extensively involved in the development of this condition. Autoimmunity itself might be genetically oriented.
Bacterial Infections
Bacterial infection triggering this condition is one of the other theories
Prolonged stressful situation
Prolonged stressful situation in one's life could probably trigger the underlying genetic tendency for this condition
Symptoms
The most noteworthy symptoms of Ankylosing spondylitis are pain in lower back, painful stiffness and immobility of back. More symptoms are given below:
• Fatigue related with active inflammation
• Pain and stiffness in the lower back, upper buttock area, neck as well as the remainder of the spine
• Gradual beginning of pain and it worsens progressively over months. At times rapid and intense onset
• Pain along with stiffness are often worse in morning and after prolonged periods of inactivity.
• Patients with chronic condition can develop a complete bony fusion of spine. Once fused, the pain in the spine goes away, but the patient has a complete loss of spine mobility.
• Patients with this condition can develop inflammation of the iris, known as iritis. Iritis is characterized by redness and pain in the eye, particularly when looking at bright lights. Frequent attacks of iritis can affect either eye.
• Since Ankylosing spondylitis frequently affects patients in adolescence, the beginning of low backache is at times incorrectly attributed to athletic injuries in younger patients
Homeopathy for Ankylosing Spondylitis
The individualized treatment is based on the study of patients patches, extent , cause, genetic pattern, emotional sphere, extent of tissue damage and other factors which lead and maintain the disease. Homeopathy is best to treat this disease as it addresses altered immune system, treating the roots of this autoimmune disease. It majorly helps in pain control without side effects and aims at disease control. Further, it's absolutely safe even if administered for a long time.