Ankylosing Spondylitis is a kind of arthritis affecting your back. It occurs as a result of inflammation in the spine, leading to excessive pain and stiffness in your back, neck, and even rib cage. In response to inflammation, your body starts producing extra calcium around the bones, leading to their growth by extra bits and causing stiffness in the said areas. In some rare cases, the bones of the spine may fuse and bend forward. It may be the call for ankylosing spondylitis surgery in Delhi.
While surgery can address your issue, making some lifestyle changes will help you manage the existing problem or keep it away, once and for all. In either case, you must be watchful of the symptoms of this problem.
Symptoms of Ankylosing Spondylitis
The most common symptom of ankylosing spondylitis is backache. Compared to other forms of backache, this one lasts longer. You may as well experience discomfort in the neck, shoulder, thighs, and hips. Some people also suffer from pain and stiffness in their knees and ankles.
Other symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis include the following:
- Soreness in the heel
- Pain and swelling in the toes
- Tender pelvis that makes sitting on a hard chair uncomfortable
- Tightness or pain around the chest
- Bowel inflammation or IBD
- Fatigue
- Inflammation in the eye.
What is the treatment of Ankylosing Spondylitis?
Upon experiencing any of the above-listed symptoms, it is advisable to schedule an appointment with your doctor. They will examine your condition and diagnose the problem. Ankylosing spondylitis treatment in Delhi includes medication for pain relief and management of symptoms. If the condition worsens, the doctor may prepare you for surgery.
In addition to prescribing medicines, the doctor will suggest a few lifestyle changes and tell you what to do and what not to do. Here’s everything you must not do while you suffer from this condition.
Do Not Lead a Sedentary Lifestyle
One of the biggest mistakes you make while dealing with ankylosing spondylitis is living a sedentary lifestyle. You may not believe it, but doing no movement and being a couch potato will only worsen your symptoms. When you live with chronic pain, exercising may seem challenging. That said, you can opt for light physical activities, such as walking, yoga, stretching, and others to improve joint flexibility and reduce stiffness caused by the problem.
You don’t have to engage in high-impact activity to feel better. Merely including the above-listed forms of physical movements will improve your condition.
Do Not Slouch
A poor posture is another reason why your symptoms of AS aggravate. Maintaining a good posture with a focus on extending your spine will help you reduce the chance of bending your spine permanently. Not only will it improve the condition of your spine, but you will also feel lesser pain and stiffness around the area.
Sitting in a good posture strengthens back muscles and prevents anterior flexion deformity. Ensure your back is straight while you sit on the chair. Keep your knees bent at a 90-degree angle, making your feet fall flat on the floor.
Do Not Compromise Sleep
One of the main reasons your symptoms of AS may worsen is the lack of sleep. It becomes hard to sleep when you are in pain. But sleep is how your body repairs itself. Thus, if you do not maintain a proper sleep cycle, your condition will not improve.
Follow a routine of sleeping on time and allowing yourself at least seven hours of good sleep. Get a good mattress to provide your body with more comfort and support. Limit the use of your phone at night so that you don’t extend your sleep. Keep the temperature of your room comfortable to your liking. These small changes in your daily routine will ensure you get sound sleep.
Do Not Smoke
As per a few studies, smoking with ankylosing spondylitis may contribute to flare-ups. Besides, smoking, in such conditions, may decrease physical function and make breathing more difficult.
The doctor will advise you to quit smoking to get rid of the pain and to manage the symptoms of your condition. Take their advice seriously if you want to keep the excruciating pain of AS at bay.
Do Not Skip Medication
Some people do not complete their medicine course, adding insult to injury. Chronic inflammation may lead to extra bits of bone-forming on the spine and joints fusing. It calls for taking regular anti-inflammatory medication.
You will be prescribed a daily dose of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce inflammation, pain, and stiffness. Continue the dosage until your doctor advises otherwise.
Takeaway
Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic condition that may bother you if you don’t manage its symptoms. It is, therefore, advised to make necessary lifestyle changes and not indulge in anything listed above.
