How to Treat Spondylitis
Spondylitis (or ankylosing spondylitis) is an inflammatory disease of the spine that can cause vertebrae to fuse together. This can result in difficulty in movement and even a hunched-over appearance due to the fact that the spine has become less flexible. Additionally, difficulty in deep breathing can occur if ribs are also affected by spondylitis. One of the facts concerning spondylitis is that it tends to affect men more often than women. Some of the symptoms of spondylitis can begin early in the adult years. One of the most common symptoms of spondylitis is inflammation that can occur in various parts of the body. The most common area of the human anatomy where this inflammation can occur is in the eyes. Although the specific cause of spondylitis is not known to medical science, there are certain genetic factors that seem to be involved in its development. People who possess the gene HLA-B27, an inherited marker associated with a number of rheumatic diseases, are at significantly higher risk of developing spondylitis than those who do not have this gene. Although there is no known medical cure for spondylitis, there are conservative measures and medical treatments that can help to reduce the pain and other associated symptoms and progression of spondylitis. Spinal surgeons recommend the following treatments as some of the most effective methods of dealing with this condition.
There are a number of treatments that can relieve the pain and stiffness of spondylitis. These treatments can also help to delay any further complications that can occur from spondylitis and potential spinal deformity or damage to joints. These treatments include lifestyle modifications, medications, physical therapy, and surgery.
Lifestyle modifications
The most important lifestyle change you can make if you suffer from spondylitis and are a smoker is smoking cessation. Smoking is not only bad for your overall health; it creates a whole new level of problems for those who are afflicted with spondylitis. Spondylitis can affect the rib cage's mobility. Add to that the associated lung damage that can occur with smoking, and your ability to breathe can be severely compromised. Additionally, smoking robs the body of vital nutrients as well as the ability to absorb those nutrients. Diet alteration can also help to relieve some pain of spondylitis, as nutrients and their absorption can help inflammation
Medications
NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen can aid in the treatment of spondylitis. Other drugs that can be a part of a course of treatment for spondylitis include naproxen (Naprosyn) and indomethacin (Indocin). These medications help to relieve the inflammation, stiffness, and pain that can occur with spondylitis. It's important to note, however, that these medications may also cause gastrointestinal bleeding.
In some cases, the symptoms of spondylitis are not relieved with NSAIDs. For these patients, doctors may prescribe TNF (tumor necrosis factor) blockers. TNF is a cell protein that acts as an inflammatory agent in rheumatoid arthritis. A TNF blocker can target this specific protein in order to aid in reducing stiffness, pain, and swelling of joints. TNF blockers are administered via injection under the skin or intravenously.
Physical therapy
In many cases of spondylitis, physical therapy can provide several benefits to patients, including relief of pain, strengthening of muscles, and flexibility. A physical therapist will devise a list of exercises to meet your specific needs and further progress your rehabilitation.
Surgery
In less frequent cases, surgery may be recommended in order to relieve severe pain or even joint damage. If the hip joint is damaged, that will need to be replaced via a surgical procedure.
It's important to know when to see a qualified healthcare provider if you suspect you may have spondylitis. If you have low back pain or buttock pain that came on slowly, is worse in the morning, or even if it awakens you from sleep (especially in the second half of the night), this can be a sign that you suffer from spondylitis. Additionally, if this pain improves with exercise or worsens with rest, which can also be a sign of spondylitis. If you develop a painful red eye, blurred vision, or you are severely sensitive to light, you may have spondylitis. It's important to seek medical attention in any of these cases from a spinal surgeon or ophthalmologist as soon as possible.
Although spondylitis does not have a known medical cure, it's not necessary for those who suffer with this affliction to continue suffering in silence. Spondylitis does have effective treatments that can aid in relieving pain and other symptoms as well as delaying its progression. These include some conservative measures such as smoking cessation, physical therapy, and medications. In some patients, more progressive medical therapy may be necessary, including surgery. If you're experiencing any of the pain or other symptoms of spondylitis, it's essential that you seek treatment in order to arrest advancement of this condition which could result in further complications. Contact a spinal surgeon in Livingston to discuss the symptoms you are experiencing.
There are a number of treatments that can relieve the pain and stiffness of spondylitis. These treatments can also help to delay any further complications that can occur from spondylitis and potential spinal deformity or damage to joints. These treatments include lifestyle modifications, medications, physical therapy, and surgery.
Lifestyle modifications
The most important lifestyle change you can make if you suffer from spondylitis and are a smoker is smoking cessation. Smoking is not only bad for your overall health; it creates a whole new level of problems for those who are afflicted with spondylitis. Spondylitis can affect the rib cage's mobility. Add to that the associated lung damage that can occur with smoking, and your ability to breathe can be severely compromised. Additionally, smoking robs the body of vital nutrients as well as the ability to absorb those nutrients. Diet alteration can also help to relieve some pain of spondylitis, as nutrients and their absorption can help inflammation
Medications
NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen can aid in the treatment of spondylitis. Other drugs that can be a part of a course of treatment for spondylitis include naproxen (Naprosyn) and indomethacin (Indocin). These medications help to relieve the inflammation, stiffness, and pain that can occur with spondylitis. It's important to note, however, that these medications may also cause gastrointestinal bleeding.
In some cases, the symptoms of spondylitis are not relieved with NSAIDs. For these patients, doctors may prescribe TNF (tumor necrosis factor) blockers. TNF is a cell protein that acts as an inflammatory agent in rheumatoid arthritis. A TNF blocker can target this specific protein in order to aid in reducing stiffness, pain, and swelling of joints. TNF blockers are administered via injection under the skin or intravenously.
Physical therapy
In many cases of spondylitis, physical therapy can provide several benefits to patients, including relief of pain, strengthening of muscles, and flexibility. A physical therapist will devise a list of exercises to meet your specific needs and further progress your rehabilitation.
Surgery
In less frequent cases, surgery may be recommended in order to relieve severe pain or even joint damage. If the hip joint is damaged, that will need to be replaced via a surgical procedure.
It's important to know when to see a qualified healthcare provider if you suspect you may have spondylitis. If you have low back pain or buttock pain that came on slowly, is worse in the morning, or even if it awakens you from sleep (especially in the second half of the night), this can be a sign that you suffer from spondylitis. Additionally, if this pain improves with exercise or worsens with rest, which can also be a sign of spondylitis. If you develop a painful red eye, blurred vision, or you are severely sensitive to light, you may have spondylitis. It's important to seek medical attention in any of these cases from a spinal surgeon or ophthalmologist as soon as possible.
Although spondylitis does not have a known medical cure, it's not necessary for those who suffer with this affliction to continue suffering in silence. Spondylitis does have effective treatments that can aid in relieving pain and other symptoms as well as delaying its progression. These include some conservative measures such as smoking cessation, physical therapy, and medications. In some patients, more progressive medical therapy may be necessary, including surgery. If you're experiencing any of the pain or other symptoms of spondylitis, it's essential that you seek treatment in order to arrest advancement of this condition which could result in further complications. Contact a spinal surgeon in Livingston to discuss the symptoms you are experiencing.