Folks with ankylosing spondylitis are looking for Arthritis help. Ankylosing Spondylitis has symptoms of degeneration in the sacroiliac joints and the spine, and is a rheumatic disease. The autoimmune response system in the body attacks foreign cells between the vertebrae, and this causes swelling, loss of mobility pain, and inflammation. Inflammation within the lungs, heart valves and eyes, can also be caused by the disease.

The disease might be relatively mild causing continuous back pain or it might attack the peripheral joints, spine and other body organs as a severe chronic disease.

Spondylarthropathies is a group of arthritic conditions which have similar patterns, and Ankylosing Spondylitis is a member of this group. This group shares a common genetic marker. The autoimmune response might be started off in some cases after the predisposed person has had a urinary tract or bowel infection.

Around 130 out of 100,000 people in the United States are affected by Ankylosing Spondylitis. People affected are typically young adult males and young adolescents, and it is most prevalent in Native Americans.

A dramatic loss of flexibility in the lumbar spine is usually the first symptom of this sickness. Arthritis might also be present in the shoulders, hips, and feet. The symptoms often mimic those of other more common back problems, so the initial diagnosis is often delayed. Sometimes people show up at their doctors office with progression of the inflammation to the eye, and have fever, weight loss, fatigue and perhaps anemia. Folks are able to decrease the amount of functional loss and pain caused by Ankylosing Spondylitis when there is early diagnosis and treatment.

Research has discovered two strong developments in the treatment and diagnosis of Ankylosing Spondylitis.

The first is the visualization of the inflammatory changes in the sacroiliac joint, using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). The previous changes that happen in the sacroiliac joint are given a much better view with the use of MRI. Therefore, physicians can start therapies and treatments to decrease the loss of mobility and function.

Tumor necrosis factor blockers are the second new breakthrough. This treatment (usually given to patients with tumors) show a high effectiveness in decreasing the progression of the disease and in reducing the spinal inflammation. Unfortunately, once the treatment has stopped, the patient usually has a relapse. Quite often the simplest treatments such as exercises and non-steroical anti-inflammatory medication gives good relief from the degenerative response. A natural anti-inflammatory like within the pericarp of the mangosteen fruit may also give good relief, without the side effects of the medication.

People may still develop a stiff back, but if fusion occurs while in the upright position, the person is more functional for the remainder of their life. Enhancing lung capacity and increasing joint flexibility are the desired outcome of therapy.

Ankylosing Spondylitis can be a continued issue throughout life. If therapies are not continued, people usually experience permanent posture and mobility loss. However, with early arthritis help diagnosis and treatment, people can usually continue to enjoy the activities they have always enjoyed, and they can put off the onset of loss of function.