Placed under the category of spondyloarthropathies, ankylosing spondylitis has symptoms and causes similar to psoriatic arthritis, reactive arthritis (previously known as Reiter’s disease), and arthritis associated with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. These diseases affect the spine, other joints, eyes, skin, mouth, and various organs.

A type of arthritis that affects the spine, ankylosing spondylitis is an inflammatory disease that fuses some parts of the spine together, and it also affects the ribs and joints in the lower back known as sacroiliac joints. More common among men, the onset of ankylosing spondylitis symptoms begins in late adolescence or early adulthood, mostly between the ages of 17 years and 45 years. Ankylosing spondylitis can also occur among children. In such cases, it is known as juvenile ankylosing spondylitis. The cause of this disease is mostly due to genetic and environmental factors.

What causes ankylosing spondylitis symptoms?

It has been seen that people with a particular human leukocyte antigen called the HLA-B27 antigen are susceptible to ankylosing spondylitis. This gene can be inherited in the family. However, not everyone with this gene is affected by ankylosing spondylitis symptoms. It has been observed that nearly 10% people with this gene do not have ankylosing spondylitis.

Apart from the presence of the gene, there has been no other cause that has been medically proven. Also, the progress of symptoms is different for different people. Hence, it becomes quite difficult to pinpoint that a person has been afflicted with ankylosing spondylitis. The diagnosis is based on the blood test to detect HLA-B27, X-rays of the spine and pelvis, MRI examination, physical exam, and by checking whether the person suffers of from the majority of ankylosing spondylitis symptoms.

It has also been observed that people with the gene that causes ankylosing spondylitis do not necessarily have the disease. The physical exam includes exercises that test the range of movement of the spine, reproduction of pain in the areas affected (specifically legs and pelvic area), and also checking whether there is difficulty in expanding the chest while taking deep breaths.

Some common ankylosing spondylitis symptoms

Ankylosing spondylitis symptoms are quite similar to those of other diseases in the group of spondyloarthropathies ailments. The symptoms appear quite slowly and reach their peak during early adulthood. Here are some common ankylosing spondylitis symptoms that can be observed in those affected by this chronic inflammatory ailment.

A persistent dull pain accompanied by stiffness in the pelvic region, hips, heels, chest, and the lower back area is the early ankylosing spondylitis symptoms. The stiffness and pain usually occur early in the morning. Occasionally, the pain can be quite extreme to awaken the person. This usually goes on for three months.
Th early symptoms progress to intense chronic pain that makes it quite difficult to function and carry on daily activities. The pain might lessen on exercising, but increases when you are at rest.
Another common ankylosing spondylitis symptom is “bony fusion.” This is an overgrowth of bones that causes bones in the neck, back and hips regions to join abnormally. This affects normal movements of joins and also makes mobility quite difficult.

An ankylosing spondylitis symptom is the occurrence of tendonitis caused by the inflammation of the tendons. This mostly occurs at the Achilles tendon which is located behind the ankle.
Most often the above symptoms are accompanied by loss of appetite, fever and a constant feeling of fatigue.

Ankylosing spondylitis can cause the inflammation of the iris. Part of the middle layer of the eye, the iris gets inflamed leading to iritis or uveitis. Uveitis affects one eye at a time. It may occur slowly. In such a case, it is called as chronic iritis. Or there might be a quick onset. In such as case, it is known as acute iritis. Acute iritis goes away quickly when treated. On the other hand, chronic iritis can take months or years to go away. The effects of iritis include a headache, sensitivity to light, pain around the eye, redness of the pupil, blurred or cloudy vision and so on.

One unusual symptom includes losing control of bladder and bowel movements, trouble in speaking and experience numbness in the extremities (fingers and toes). This is known as cauda equina syndrome, which should receive immediate medical attention.
Treatment of ankylosing spondylitis symptoms

So far there has been no treatment that can completely cure the symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis. Since the symptoms can be debilitating, the treatment plans are frequently revised, and regular therapy is added to make it easier for the person to deal with symptoms. All the treatment plans and therapies are aimed towards alleviating the discomfort and enable the affected person to lead a life that is as close to normal as possible.