Do you also suffer from constant back, neck, and hip pain and feel tired all day long? It's normal to feel sad, stressed, and frustrated when living with a long-term condition like this. But it's important to control these feelings before they escalate into depression. Let's talk about this today.
What exactly is Ankylosing Spondylitis?
Simply put, Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) is a type of arthritis that primarily affects the spine. It is sometimes called radiographic axial spondylitis. It is characterized by inflammation, which is swelling and stiffness, of the sacroiliac joints, which connect the spine and lower back to the hip bone. It usually begins in adolescence, around the age of 17-20.
Let's see what the main symptoms of this disease are.
| Symptom | A simple explanation |
|---|---|
| Back and hip pain | Aching pain, especially in the lower back and buttocks. |
| Morning stiffness | When you wake up in the morning, your back and neck feel stiff. This feeling subsides when you move around a bit. |
| Problems with other joints | Pain, swelling, redness, and a feeling of warmth in areas such as the fingers, heels, ankles, knees, ribs, shoulders, and neck. |
| Chronic fatigue | Feeling extremely tired and lifeless even after sleeping well. |
| Appetite | The desire to eat decreases. |
As the disease progresses, the vertebrae in the spine can become compressed. This can significantly reduce the ability to bend and turn the spine, making it stiff like a stick. If the ribs are compressed in this way, lung function can also be affected. In addition, complications such as uveitis, an inflammation of the eyes, fractures, and heart disease can also occur.
The important thing is that although this disease cannot be completely cured, with the right treatment, pain can be controlled, the spine can be kept straight, joints and organs can be prevented from becoming damaged, and a good quality of life can be maintained .
What is the relationship between this disease and depression?
Research has found that people with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) are at increased risk of developing depression. The reason for this is quite obvious. The unbearable pain, fatigue, and inability to function can all take a toll on a person's happiness.
Think about it, this is like a vicious cycle.
1. The pain and discomfort caused by AS makes you feel depressed and sad.
2. When you are depressed, that is, when you are mentally stressed, the amount of pain you feel in your body increases.
3. As the pain increases, the heart sinks further.
To escape this cycle, it is essential that you are aware of the symptoms of depression.
| Symptoms to watch out for in depression | |
|---|---|
| Feeling sad or emotionless all the time | Thinking negatively about life |
| Loss of interest in things you used to enjoy | Insomnia or sleeping too much |
| Constant fatigue and a feeling of weakness in the body | Change in appetite (decrease or increase) |
| Difficulty paying attention to something | Unexplained body aches, headaches, stomach aches |
Now you can see that some of these symptoms (like fatigue, body aches) are similar to those of AS. So the best way to know for sure if this is due to AS or depression is to see your doctor and talk openly about all of these symptoms. Then he or she can determine whether they are physical or psychological and refer you for the necessary treatment.
What can we do to deal with this situation?
There are many things you can do to break this cycle of pain and stress. A plan that combines medications, therapies, and lifestyle changes can help control symptoms before they get worse.
Medications
Your doctor may prescribe the following medications depending on the nature of your condition:
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): These are medications that reduce inflammation and pain. Some of them can be purchased over the counter, but it is important to use them as directed by your doctor.
- Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs): These are medications that change the course of the disease and prevent joint damage.
- Biologics: These are also part of the DMARDs group of targeted therapies. They work by targeting specific proteins (such as tumor necrosis factor - TNF) that cause inflammation in the body.
- Corticosteroids: Although these are not given for back pain, if there is severe pain and swelling in another joint, such as the knee or shoulder, they can be given as an injection directly into that joint.
Physical and Occupational Therapy
A physical therapist will teach you the right exercises to strengthen your muscles, help keep your spine straight, and reduce pain. An occupational therapist will teach you about equipment and techniques that can help make your daily activities easier.
Lifestyle Changes
- Exercise: If you don't use your joints, they can become stiff and sore. Exercises like walking, swimming, and yoga are great. Get help from a physical therapist to create an exercise plan that's right for you.
- A good diet: Include fish, fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains in your diet. Reduce red meat, sugar, and processed foods as much as possible.
- Maintain good posture: While working, try to alternate between sitting and standing positions. On days when you feel the most pain, listen to your body and take a break from work.
- Avoid smoking: Smoking can worsen AS symptoms and joint damage, and can also reduce the success of treatments.
- Get enough sleep: Lack of sleep can make pain worse. For good sleep, take your medication on time, exercise during the day, avoid drinking coffee/tea at night, and reduce your phone/TV viewing time before bed.
The importance of taking care of yourself and relationships
Stress is a major factor that exacerbates AS symptoms. Therefore, it is very important to control stress. Engage in things that calm the mind. For example, you can do things like meditate, listen to music, spend time with a pet, or read a book.
If you are experiencing thoughts of despair or are in a severe mental crisis, please go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) immediately. Or call 1333 and seek help from Sumithrayo . This is a confidential service.
Another important thing is to overcome loneliness. Talk about your feelings with someone you trust and who will listen. This could be a family member or a friend. If necessary, seek counseling. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a very effective treatment for depression and anxiety. Talking to a counselor can help you understand how your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors affect each other and build the strength you need to cope with life.
Take-Home Message
- Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is not just a backache. It is a chronic disease that can affect your entire body and quality of life.
- Mental health is as important as physical health . Pain can make you depressed, and depression can make you feel worse.
- Talk to your doctor without hesitation about your physical pain, as well as your emotional sadness, frustration, and stress.
- With proper medical treatment, physical therapy, and positive lifestyle changes, you can live successfully with this disease.
- You are not alone. Get support from your loved ones, your doctors, and, if necessary, a mental health counselor.
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