How to exercise with ankylosing spondylitis?

Written by Li Jing
Rheumatology
Updated on December 16, 2024
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Once diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis, after ruling out contraindications such as hepatitis B infection and tuberculosis, it is necessary to administer standard medications to improve rheumatic conditions. At the same time, it is necessary to develop good living habits, such as abstaining from alcohol, quitting smoking, and avoiding carbonated drinks and coffee, as these can exacerbate osteoporosis. Secondly, it is important to exercise regularly; one can walk slowly, run, or swim. Swimming is the best form of exercise for patients with ankylosing spondylitis as it can enhance the coordination of limb muscles while also delaying joint wear. Thirdly, it is important to maintain good posture and sleep on a hard bed.

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Written by Li Jing
Rheumatology
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Is ankylosing spondylitis hereditary?

Ankylosing spondylitis is a systemic autoimmune disease of unclear etiology characterized by chronic inflammation primarily affecting the axial joints, mainly involving the sacroiliac joint. The cause is unclear, and research by experts has shown that the disease tends to run in families, indicating familial clustering. It is not classified as a genetic disease, but there is both familial clustering and a genetic predisposition, meaning that if parents have the disease, their children are much more likely to develop it compared to others. Therefore, if symptoms such as lower back pain or neck stiffness occur, it is advisable to undergo thorough examinations and seek early diagnosis and treatment to delay joint deformity and control the progression of the disease.

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Written by Li Jing
Rheumatology
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Does ankylosing spondylitis have a genetic component?

Ankylosing spondylitis is an autoimmune disease primarily affecting the axial joints. The onset is determined by both genetic and environmental factors, leading to the disease. This means that the disease exhibits a significant familial aggregation and genetic predisposition. If the parents have it, the incidence in their children is much higher than in others. However, it is definitely not a genetic disease; it just has familial clustering and genetic tendencies. If symptoms like stiffness in the neck or pain in the lower back intensify when at rest and decrease after activity, it is essential to use CT or MRI scans and test for HLA-B27 to check for damage or narrowing in the sacroiliac joints. Early diagnosis and early treatment are crucial to improve the prognosis of the condition.

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Written by Li Jing
Rheumatology
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Ankylosing Spondylitis Exercise Methods

Ankylosing spondylitis is an autoimmune disease that primarily affects the axial joints and currently has no curative treatment. Its treatment includes general measures, medication, and surgery. General measures mainly involve abstaining from alcohol, quitting smoking, avoiding carbonated drinks and coffee, which can lead to osteoporosis. In addition, it is important to focus on exercise; functional exercises are a crucial part of its treatment. Regular activities such as swimming, walking, and running are recommended, and chest-expanding exercises can improve muscle rigidity. Moreover, it is advisable to sleep on a hard bed to keep the spine level. Swimming is the best form of exercise for patients with ankylosing spondylitis as it does not overload the joints while also enhancing the coordination and flexibility of the limb muscles.

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Written by Li Jing
Rheumatology
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Ankylosing Spondylitis Test Items

Ankylosing spondylitis is a systemic disease of unknown cause, primarily characterized by chronic inflammation of the axial joints. It mainly affects the sacroiliac joints and leads to bony ankylosis, predominantly occurring in males, especially young males. The disease has a significant familial genetic tendency. The main symptoms are pain or discomfort in the lower back and back, typically occurring at night, accompanied by difficulty turning over. Stiffness is evident in the morning or after sitting for a long time, but symptoms may alleviate after physical activity. In young and middle-aged males showing these symptoms, ankylosing spondylitis should be suspected first. The main diagnostic methods include blood tests for HLA-B27, and imaging such as CT or MRI of the sacroiliac joints to detect any sacroiliitis. Diagnosis primarily relies on the combination of symptoms, HLA-B27 results, and sacroiliac joint CT findings.

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Written by Li Jing
Rheumatology
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Can ankylosing spondylitis cause red eyes?

Firstly, ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic autoimmune disease that primarily affects the axial joints. Its most common clinical manifestations are a stiffness in the neck or pain in the lumbar and back areas. This pain often occurs after sitting for a long time or at night, and symptoms are relieved after standing up and moving around; these are the main joint symptoms. In addition to these, there can also be extra-articular manifestations, with the most common being uveitis or iritis, which occur repeatedly. Some individuals may even develop corneal ulcers, also known in layman's terms as experiencing "red eye." These are extra-articular symptoms. Once recurrent uveitis or iritis occurs, aside from considering eye-related issues, systemic diseases must also be considered. Following the onset of this type of uveitis, the first choice of treatment is biologics.