Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic inflammatory disease, which mainly invades sacroiliac joints, spinal apophysis, paravertebral soft tissues and peripheral joints, and can cause spinal deformity and ankylosis in severe cases. The answer to the question of whether a lifetime of medication is needed is not absolute, but varies from person to person.
In the early stage of ankylosing spondylitis, the condition is often in the active stage, and the inflammation is more obvious. At this time, it is generally necessary to use drugs to control inflammation, relieve pain, stiffness and other discomfort symptoms, and prevent further development of the disease. Commonly used drugs include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which are effective in reducing pain and inflammation, but usually do not fundamentally change the course of the disease. During this period, regular medication according to medical supervision is very critical, which may require continuous medication for months or even years, depending on the control of the disease.
In addition to the above-mentioned non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, anti-rheumatic drugs, such as methotrexate and sulfasalazine, may also be needed for patients with severe spinal or joint injuries, such as spinal bamboo degeneration and hip joint involvement, and some patients may even need to use biological agents. The treatment cycle of these drugs is often longer, and after the disease has been controlled to a certain extent, they can not be stopped at will. Because once the drug is stopped, the disease is likely to recur, and the previous therapeutic effect may be wasted.
However, after a period of standardized treatment, some patients have entered a relatively stable remission period. During the remission period, the patient’s symptoms are significantly alleviated and the inflammatory indicators tend to be normal. At this time, the doctor may gradually reduce the dosage of the drug or even try to stop the drug for observation according to the specific situation. But this does not mean that you can completely break away from the drug, but need to pay close attention to your physical condition and review regularly. Once signs of recurrence are found, such as pain, stiffness, or increased inflammatory indicators, it is necessary to resume medication in time.
In addition, the patient’s own lifestyle also has an important impact on the development of the disease and the demand for medication. Maintaining good posture and moderate exercise, such as swimming and yoga, can help maintain the flexibility of the spine and joints, assist drug treatment to a certain extent, and may also shorten the medication time.
In a word, whether patients with ankylosing spondylitis need lifelong medication depends on many factors, including the severity of the disease, the response after treatment, whether they are in remission and lifestyle. Patients should cooperate closely with doctors, follow medical supervision and do regular review, so as to better control the disease and improve the quality of life.
