Arthritis comes in many forms. One of these may have a funny sounding name, but the pain it brings is no laughing matter. It is called ankylosing spondylitis, and it is a pain in the back.

Ankylosing spondylitis is a type of arthritis that mainly affects the the spine, but can also affect other joints. It causes joints to become inflamed, leading to pain and discomfort. In some cases, this inflammation causes new bone to form, making the spine stiff and immobile.

At the moment, there is no cure for ankylosing spondylitis. However, there are ways to treat the disease.

As with other forms of arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis can be treated medically (with drugs), through physical therapy, and by making certain lifestyle changes.

If you have ankylosing spondylitis, the pain and stiffness may make you want to sit down and give up. But there is help out there.

Through learning about your disease and the ways to treat it, you can find the strength to stand up straight again and take on the day.

This article offers key information for understanding and dealing with ankylosing spondylitis.

What is ankylosing spondylitis?

Ankylosing spondylitis is a form of inflammatory arthritis. While inflammation causes pain and stiffness primarily in the spine, it can also affect other parts of the body such as the ankles, heels, ribs, hips, shoulders, and hands. In some rare instances, the eyes can be affected.

Even the lungs and heart can become involved in ankylosing spondylitis.

Who is at risk of developing ankylosing spondylitis?

Most forms of arthritis develop in people in their older years. In contrast, the onset of ankylosing spondylitis generally happens in younger people between 17 and 45 years of age. However, the disease can affect anyone, from children to elderly adults.

Ankylosing spondylitis is more common in men, but women can also develop the disease.

People who have a certain genetic marker (called HLA-B27), a family history of ankylosing spondylitis, or frequent gastrointestinal infections also face a higher risk of this painful condition.

What are the signs and symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis?

At first, you may not notice the signs of ankylosing spondylitis. They can develop gradually, so you may not think they were caused by anything more than a bad night's rest.

But over time, they can get worse.

The earliest symptoms of the disease may include pain and stiffness in the lower back and hips. You are especially likely to feel these symptoms in the morning and after long periods of not moving.

The parts of the body most commonly affected by ankylosing spondylitis include:

  • the sacroiliac joint (the joint between the pelvis and the spine)
  • lower back vertebrae (small bones that make up the spine)
  • the place where ligaments and muscle attach to bone, usually in the spine
  • the cartilage between the breastbone and ribs
  • the hips
  • the shoulder joints

For most people, ankylosing spondylitis comes in painful episodes - or 'flares' - followed by temporary periods where symptoms subside. In other words, over the course of having the disease, symptoms can get better, get worse, or completely stop at irregular intervals.

Typically, the pain improves when patients are active and exercising.

In some cases, the inflammation of ankylosing spondylitis can make joints fuse together. This happens when ligaments turn into bone, causing the spinal bones to join. This fusing can affect the flexibility of the spine, giving some patients a hunched-over posture. If a patient has a severe case, she may not even be able to lift her head enough to look forward.

Ankylosing spondylitis can also lead to iritis or uveitis, conditions in which the eye becomes inflamed. In fact, about one third of ankylosing spondylitis patients will experience iritis or uveitis at least once. The symptoms of eye inflammation include:

  • eye pain
  • red and watery eyes
  • blurred vision
  • sensitivity to bright light

In rare cases, people with ankylosing spondylitis may experience bowel inflammation, which is related to Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

Talk to your doctor if you are experiencing any of the common symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis - such as lower back pain and stiffness or pain from deep breathing. If you are experiencing eye pain, sensitivity to light, or blurred vision, it is time to see a health care professional immediately.

What causes ankylosing spondylitis?

As of yet, researchers have not pinpointed a specific cause of ankylosing spondylitis. However, it appears that genetic factors - specifically the gene called HLA-B27 - may play a role. However, less than five percent of those with the HLA-B27 gene go on to develop ankylosing spondylitis.