Ankylosing Spondylitis, AS, is a chronic inflammatory disease that primarily affects the spinal column and the hip, may cause pain and rigidity to the joints, and can result in vertical and functional limitations to the spinal column when severe. The following is a description of their causes and treatment:
Causes of morbidity
Genetic factors: Strong straight spinal tracts have family genetic orientation and are highly relevant to the HLA-B27 gene. Studies have shown that nearly 90 per cent of patients carry the HLA-B27 gene, but that not all people carrying the gene are sick, suggesting that other factors are involved.
2. Infective factors: Long-term chronic infections may be associated with morbidity, particularly urology and gastrointestinal tract infections, such as trachoma, Shiga, Salmonella, etc.
3. Immuno-system problems: Direct spinal disease is considered to be an autoimmune disease, and patients ‘ immune systems may wrongly attack their own joints and spines and cause inflammation.
4. Environmental factors: Cold, humid environments may induce symptoms and climate change and cold water stimuli may be associated with disease.
5. Occupational factors: A number of occupations requiring the same position for long periods of time, such as drivers and office workers, may be aggravated by overloading of the spine and joints.
Treatment
1. Drug treatment:
– Non-paralytic anti-inflammation drugs (NSAIDs): for pain and inflammation, the first drug of choice for the treatment of high-relative spinal disease.
– Medicines to combat rheumatism (DMARDs) for diseases, such as nitrous sulfur, acacia, etc., for treatment of patients suffering from dysentery.
– Biological preparations, including tumour cause of death (TNF) inhibitors (e.g., Innasip, Inflisi, Adawood, IL-17) and white-media 17 (e.g., Sakuchio), which are effective in mitigating symptoms and controlling the development of the condition.
Physicotherapy, which includes thermal, hydrotherapy, etc., can increase local blood circulation, relax muscles, reduce pain and facilitate joint activity.
3. Physical rehabilitation: Regular and appropriate sports, such as swimming, Tai Chi, etc., help to maintain the elasticity of the spinal column and the degree of joint activity and increase muscle strength.
4. Surgical treatment: Surgery interventions, such as spinal orthotic surgery or joint replacement, may be required for patients with severe malformations or functional impairments in the later stages.
5. Medical care in Chinese medicine, which includes internal and extraterritorial Chinese medicine, such as acupuncture, administration, etc., with the aim of adjusting the body balance and mitigating symptoms.
6. Lifestyle adjustment: to maintain good positions, to avoid being in the same position for long periods of time, to exercise proper rest and sleep, and to avoid excessive weight and intense exercise.
The treatment of direct spinal disease requires a combination of drug treatment, physiotherapy, physical rehabilitation and lifestyle adjustments to achieve optimal treatment. Patients should work closely with doctors to develop individualized treatment programmes.
