We all know how difficult it is to live with Ankylosing Spondylitis, or AS for short. It's not easy to deal with the constant back pain and morning stiffness. But did you know that with AS, there is a slightly higher risk of developing certain other conditions? Don't panic when you hear this. The most important thing is to be aware of these risks. Because then we can take the necessary steps to protect ourselves from them in advance.
Let's learn about osteoporosis.
Simply put, this is when your bones become weak and can break easily, even from a simple fall. This condition is very common among people with AS.
Remember, AS is an inflammatory condition in the body. This chronic inflammation directly affects the health of the bones. Also, this condition `(Osteoporosis)` can occur even when walking and exercising are reduced due to the pain and stiffness caused by AS. Surprisingly, sometimes doctors can see the signs of `(Osteoporosis)` before major changes in the body are visible due to AS.
As a treatment, there is some evidence that painkillers, especially nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), may help reduce the risk of fractures. However, there is still limited data on this. So it is difficult to say whether this is right for everyone. Also, although drugs that control inflammation, such as TNF blockers, can help increase bone density, it is not yet clear whether they prevent fractures. It is best to talk to your doctor about this and decide what is best for you.
Do you also have sleep problems?
Many people with AS have trouble sleeping well at night. There are several reasons for this.
- Pain: This is the main reason. Sometimes pain prevents you from sleeping. Other times, the pain worsens because you don't get enough sleep. It's like a vicious cycle. Studies have found that AS patients who have sleep problems have significantly more morning stiffness and other symptoms than those who sleep well.
- Depression and Anxiety: It's common to feel depressed and anxious when living with ongoing pain. These mood swings can also have a big impact on your sleep. If you've been feeling sad or depressed for more than two weeks, have stopped doing things you used to enjoy, or have been feeling anxious for months, it's important to seek medical advice . Dealing with a chronic condition like AS can be difficult to do alone.
Foot pain and problems
AS is not a disease limited to the spine. It can also affect other joints and tendons in the body. Pain is especially common in the feet.
- Plantar Fasciitis: There is a thick layer of tissue on the bottom of the foot that runs from the heel to the toes. This swelling is called ``Plantar Fasciitis``. The main symptom of this is severe pain when you step out of bed in the morning.
- Heel pain (Achilles Tendonitis): Inflammation of the Achilles tendon, which connects the heel bone, can also cause pain and discomfort.
In addition, AS patients may also experience frequent pain in areas such as the hip joints, shoulders, knees, and ankles.
Chest pain, but it's not a heart attack (Costochondritis)
This causes chest pain. Sometimes the pain can be so severe that you may think it's a heart attack.
But this is not a heart problem. It is caused by swelling of the cartilage that connects your ribs to the breastbone. People with AS are more likely to develop this inflammation. It usually goes away on its own, but if it persists, you may need to take medication as directed by your doctor.
Special attention to heart disease and high blood pressure
High blood pressure (Hypertension)
This problem is more likely to be related to the type of medication you take for AS than to the disease itself. If you are someone who regularly uses nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (e.g., ibuprofen, diclofenac) for AS pain, you should be aware of the risk of developing high blood pressure (hypertension). A study has shown that people who take these drugs long-term have a 12% higher risk of developing high blood pressure than those who do not take them. Therefore, it is very important to talk to your doctor and have your blood pressure checked regularly.
Heart Disease
Although it is not common, doctors have found a link between AS and cardiovascular conditions. These conditions may occur in between 2% and 10% of people with AS. Although the link between AS and heart disease is not clear, we do know that chronic inflammation in the body increases the risk of heart disease. So that may be a major reason for this link.
| Medical condition | Simply explained |
|---|---|
| Cardiomyopathy | The heart muscle becomes enlarged and weak, making it difficult for the heart to pump blood throughout the body. |
| Conduction disturbances | Irregular heartbeat (fast, slow) due to disturbances in the heart's electrical signaling system. |
| Aortitis | Swelling of the aorta, the main blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the body. |
| Aortic valve disease | Problems with the valve between the heart's main pumping chamber and the aorta. |
| Ischemic heart disease | Decreased blood flow to the heart muscle. The main cause of this is coronary artery disease. |
Other Autoimmune Conditions
AS is also an autoimmune disease. This means that the body's immune system mistakenly attacks its own cells. Therefore, people with AS have a small risk of developing other autoimmune diseases.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
IBD is an inflammatory bowel disease that includes both Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. It is rare in people with AS. But there is a link between the two diseases. If you have symptoms of AS, such as stomach pain and diarrhea, it is important to tell your doctor .
Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
MS is a disease that affects the brain and spinal cord. Here, too, the immune system attacks the protective covering around nerve fibers. A very small number of people have both AS and MS. Research is still ongoing to determine whether there is a real connection between the two diseases, or whether seeing a doctor to diagnose one increases the likelihood of diagnosing the other.
Take-Home Message
- AS (Ankylosing Spondylitis) is not just a disease that affects the spine and joints. It can also affect the bones, heart, and other organs.
- If you have new symptoms like chest pain, leg pain, or sleep problems, don't ignore them. Talk to your doctor about them.
- If you are taking painkillers (NSAIDs) long-term, it is very important to check your blood pressure regularly.
- Keeping AS well controlled, that is, controlling inflammation, is the best way to reduce the risk of developing these other diseases.
- The best way to stay healthy is to be aware of your health and talk openly with your doctor, without fear or panic.
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