Let's learn about other diseases that can accompany AS? (Ankylosing Spondylitis)

Did you know that if you have ankylosing spondylitis, or AS as we all know it, you are at a slightly higher risk of developing certain other health problems along with the condition? While it's not always clear why this happens, being aware of these risks can help you protect yourself from them. So today, let's talk about some of the other health conditions that are commonly seen with AS.

Osteoporosis

Simply put, this means that your bones become weak, their strength is reduced, and they are more likely to break easily with even a small fall. This condition is somewhat more common among people with AS.

The main reason for this is the chronic inflammation that AS causes in the body and the resulting loss of mobility. Imagine, the pain and stiffness in the back and joints make walking and exercising less likely. This loss of physical activity directly affects bone health. But the surprising thing is, sometimes even before AS causes major changes in the body, some people can see these signs of osteoporosis in their bones.

Some painkillers, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), are thought to reduce the risk of fractures, but there is still limited data on this. So it's hard for doctors to say for sure if they're right for everyone. Also, although TNF blockers, a class of drugs that block a substance that causes inflammation, can help increase bone density, it's not yet clear whether they can prevent fractures.

Sleep-related problems

The biggest problem for many people with AS is sleep. Not being able to sleep properly at night. According to a survey, half of AS patients suffer from sleep problems due to physical and psychological reasons.

Insomnia due to pain

There is a strange connection between sleep and pain. Sometimes it's hard to tell which came first. It's hard to tell whether you're feeling achy all day because you didn't get enough sleep at night, or whether you're having trouble sleeping at night because of the pain from AS. However, it's been found that AS patients who have sleep problems have a higher incidence of morning stiffness and other AS symptoms than those who sleep well.

Stress and anxiety

Depression and anxiety both affect your sleep and your body. For example, if you've been feeling sad, hopeless, or unable to do things you used to enjoy for more than two weeks, you may need help. Also, if you have persistent anxiety that's interfering with your life for more than 6 months, be sure to talk to your doctor about it. Living with a chronic condition like AS isn't easy. That's why it's important to get the mental support you need.

Pain in the feet

You may be wondering, "I have back pain, why do these legs hurt?" It's very possible that your legs are hurting because of AS.

AS can affect various joints and tendons in the body.

• Plantar Fasciitis: This is a very common cause of heel pain. It occurs when the thick band of tissue that connects your heel bone and toes becomes inflamed.
• Achilles Tendinitis: Inflammation of the strong tendon that connects your heel (Achilles tendon) can cause severe pain in the heel and tenderness when touched.

In addition to the feet, people with AS also commonly experience pain in areas such as the hips, shoulders, knees, and ankles.

Chest pain (Costochondritis)

This pain is caused by inflammation of the cartilage that connects your ribs to your breastbone. As a person with AS, the stretching exercises you do daily can help with this. Sometimes this pain goes away on its own, but if it doesn't, your doctor will prescribe medication.

High blood pressure and heart disease

High blood pressure (Hypertension)

This problem is more likely to be related to the type of medication you take for AS than to something directly caused by the condition itself. If you are someone who uses NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) to manage AS pain, you are at slightly higher risk of developing high blood pressure, or hypertension.

One study found that AS patients who used NSAIDs continuously had a 12% higher risk of developing high blood pressure than those who did not use them or used them only when needed.

Risk of heart disease

Although it's not very common, doctors have found a link between AS and cardiovascular disease. Between 2% and 10% of AS patients may experience these problems. The main reason for this is that the chronic inflammation in the body caused by AS also affects heart health.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

IBD is a condition that includes Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. It's rare for IBD to occur with AS. However, because both are autoimmune conditions, meaning the body's immune system mistakenly attacks its own body, there is a link between the two. If you have symptoms like abdominal pain and bloating along with AS, it's important to talk to a rheumatologist.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) disease

MS is a disease that affects the brain and spinal cord. Here, too, the immune system attacks the protective covering around nerve fibers. A small number of people have both MS and AS. Research is still ongoing to determine whether there is a real connection between the two diseases, or whether seeing a doctor for one disease will lead to the other being diagnosed sooner.

AS disease, Ankylosing Spondylitis, Ankylosing Spondylitis, Back Pain, Osteoporosis, Heart Disease, High Blood Pressure, IBD, Sri Lanka