tell me abt spondylitis?

Question

its symptoms
cure
prevention
websites related

Answer 1

Spondylitis (pronounced spon-d-lie-tiss) is the name given to a group of chronic or long lasting diseases also called Spondyloarthritis (spon-dyl-oh-arthritis) or Spondyloarthropathy (spon-d-low-are-throp-ah-thee). These diseases are forms of inflammatory arthritis that primarily affect the spine, although other joints and organs can become involved. The group of diseases in the spondylitis family includes[1]:


Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) - Ankylosing spondylitis is the primary disease in the spondylitis family of diseases and is a form of chronic arthritis that primarily affects the spine, although other joints can become involved. Occurring primarily in young adults, (age of onset normally before age 35), AS causes inflammation of the spinal joints (vertebrae) that can lead to severe, chronic pain and discomfort[2].


Undifferentiated Spondyloarthropathy (USpA) - Undifferentiated Spondyloarthropathy (USpA) is a term used to describe symptoms and signs of spondylitis in someone who does not meet the criteria for a definitive diagnosis of AS or related disease. Over time, some people with USpA will develop a well-defined form of spondylitis such as ankylosing spondylitis[3].


Juvenile Spondyloarthropathy (JSpA) - Juvenile-onset spondyloarthritis (JSpA), also known as Juvenile Spondyloarthropathy, is the medical term for a group of childhood rheumatic diseases, which cause arthritis before the age of 16 and may span through adult life. JSpA typically causes pain and inflammation in the joints in the lower part of the body, for example, the pelvis, hips, knees and ankles[4].


Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA) - In 5-10% of those with psoriasis, arthritis also appears. In most cases, the psoriasis will precede the arthritis, sometimes by many years. When arthritis symptoms occur with psoriasis, it is called psoriatic arthritis (PsA[5]).


Reactive Arthritis (ReA) - Reactive Arthritis (also known as Reiter's Syndrome) is a form of arthritis that can cause inflammation and pain in the joints, the skin, the eyes, the bladder, the genitals and the mucus membranes. Reactive arthritis is thought to occur as a "reaction" to an infection that started elsewhere in the body, generally in the genitourinary or gastrointestinal tract[6].


Enteropathic Arthritis - Enteropathic (en-ter-o-path-ic) arthritis is a form of chronic, inflammatory arthritis associated with the occurrence of an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), the two best-known types of which are ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. The most common areas affected by enteropathic arthritis are inflammation of the peripheral (limb) joints, as well as the abdominal pain and possibly bloody diarrhea associated with the IBD component of the disease[7].
SYMPTOMS

Most Common Symptoms
It is important to note that the course of ankylosing spondylitis varies greatly from person to person. So too can the onset of symptoms. Although symptoms usually start to appear in late adolescence or early adulthood (ages 17-35), the symptoms can occur in children or much later.

Typically, the first symptoms of AS are frequent pain and stiffness in the lower back and buttocks, which comes on gradually over the course of a few weeks or months. At first, discomfort may only be felt on one side, or alternate sides. The pain is usually dull and diffuse, rather than localized. This pain and stiffness is usually worse in the mornings and during the night, but may be improved by a warm shower or light exercise. Also, in the early stages of AS, there may be mild fever, loss of appetite and general discomfort.

The pain normally becomes persistent (chronic) and is felt on both sides, usually persisting for at least three months. Over the course of months or years, the stiffness and pain can spread up the spine and into the neck. Pain and tenderness spreading to the ribs, shoulder blades, hips, thighs and heels is possible as well.

Note that AS can present differently at onset in women than in men. Quoting Dr. Elaine Adams, "Women often present in a little more atypical fashion so it's even harder to make the diagnoses in women." For example, anecdotally we have heard from women with AS who have stated that their symptoms started in the neck rather than in the lower back.

Varying levels of fatigue may also result from the inflammation caused by AS. The body must expend energy to deal with the inflammation, thus causing fatigue. Also, mild to moderate anemia, which may also result from the inflammation, can contribute to an overall feeling of tiredness.

Overheard in a Message Board Conversation: "I like to refer to A.S. as being the 'camouflage disorder' that creeps through your body. A person with A.S. can look extremely normal but can feel absolutely awful. The pain doesn't limit itself to just one area of the body as it can travel from head to toe, and it all starts within." - poster pratherken (Ken Prather, Indiana and Ohio AS Support Group Coordinator

Answer 2

Dear Janki,
Details of what is spondylitis has already been given in some answers. Let me share my experience with u on other aspects:
cure - there is no permanent cure. We can manage and control further deterioration through exercise for the head, shoulders and neck. Sitting, sleeping posture is very important. Always use back and neck support especially while driving. Avoid two wheeler driving and any form of jerks. Do not carry weight. If you have to lift something from floor, even baby, first sit with knee bend and then lift rather than abrupt lifting. One school of thought is to avoid pillows and another school suggest using thin pillows. I think the latter is better since it gives support to the head. There are good ayurvedic oils which can be applied with slight heat and then removed after an hour or so. But please follow the medical practitioners advice since the case varies from individual to individual.

Answer 3

Spondylosis is spinal degeneration and deformity of a joint(s) of two or more vertebrae that commonly occurs with aging. Often there is herniation of the nucleus pulposus of one or more intervertebral discs and/or formation of osteophytes.

When the space between two adjacent vertebrae narrows, compression of a nerve root emerging from the spinal cord may result in sensory system and motor system disturbances, such as severe pain in the neck, shoulder, arm, back, and/or leg, accompanied by muscular weakness. Less commonly, direct pressure on the spinal cord may result in global weakness, gait dysfunction, loss of balance, and loss of bowel and/or bladder control. If vertebrae of the neck are involved it is labeled Cervical Spondylosis. Lower back spondylosis is labeled Lumbar Spondylosis.

Treatment
Neck pain can be relieved by wearing a hard collar around the neck which keeps the affected vertebrae slightly apart, and hence the pressure on the nerves is released. However, the use of a collar is not usually recommended as it can weaken the muscles supporting the vertebrae and hence exacerbate the problem in the long term.

Physiotherapy, where the neck is exercised, is now generally used as the preferred treatment.

Chiropractic treatment of mild cases of the disease is not the preferred method of treatment by conventional medicine.

Acupuncture, while often effective when neuropathy results from muscle dysfunction or inflammation, symptoms resulting from bony deformities are unlikely to get better.

Injections of the spinal joints can be useful for relief of acute pain for otherwise intractable discomfort. Naturally, any spine injection should be performed by a physician with training in spine injection techniques. These injections should be done with xray assistance (flouroscopy) to ensure accuracy.

Evidentiary support for mobility (physiotherapy) or manipulative (chiropractic) therapies has shown an observed improvement in perceived pain and immobility in mechanical neck disorders. However such therapies are not supported as being of greater use in relieving pain and inflammation than conventional medicine and neither was identified as being superior to the other.

Surgery
There are many different surgical procedures to correct spinal deformity. The vertebra can be approached by the surgeon from the front, side, or rear. Portions of a disc may be removed. To prevent further dislocation, fusion of two vertebrae may be done by taking pieces of bone from the patient's hip and inserting them between the two vertebrae which are fused together and secured by screws.-

Answer 4

Ankylosing spondylitis is inflammation of the spine and large joints, resulting in stiffness and pain.
Please see the web pages for more details on Ankylosing spondylitis.

Answer 5

For cure and prevetnion, do regular yoga and exercise, initially under an expert and then yourself. There are good herbal supplements like Indian Mulberry fruit juice which will strengthen the muscles and nerves and bones.