Going through chronic pain and stiffness in your spine? There is a high chance that you may be struggling with spondylitis.
Spondylitis is a critical chronic condition that impacts your joints, which ultimately affects the functioning of your spine, mobility and quality of life. This is usually associated with conditions like ankylosing spondylitis that impacts lower back and sacroiliac joints.
There are various causes of spondylitis which include age factor, genetic problems, infection, poor posture, and many more depending on each person.
To help you get a clear picture of spondylitis, we have come up with an article covering symptoms, causes and possible treatments. Keep reading.
About Spondylitis
Spondylitis is a type of arthritis. It is a group of inflammatory diseases that mainly affect the spine. It causes pain, stiffness, and decreased mobility in the affected areas. Chronic inflammation differentiates it from mechanical backache due to injury or strain.
Left untreated, it causes vertebrae to fuse, significantly affecting posture and movement. It is commonly associated with autoimmune disorders, wherein the immune system incomprehensibly targets healthy joints.
Spondylitis affects people of all ages, although younger adults are more prone to suffer from it. Early detection and management prevent discomfort and consequential complications.
Types of Spondylitis
The following are the different types of Spondylitis, each with its distinctive signs and symptoms:
Cervical spondylitis
Stiffness and pain in the cervical spondylitis with restriction of movement are due to neck pain concerning the cervical spine or region. It may often be degenerative due to ageing, commonly referring to poor posture and being viewed with long screen time or overdoing strain on the neck.
Ankylosing spondylitis
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic and progressive inflammatory disease that mainly affects the entire spine and the sacroiliac (the areas of connection between the spine and pelvis) joints.
Ankylosing spondylitis icd 10 disease seemed to show a greater predisposition for men and a greater association with the HLA-B27 gene.
Lumbar Spondylitis
So what is lumbar spondylitis? Lumbar Spondylitis is another important type of spondylitis. It affects the lower part of the back and thus causes chronic and acute pain together with stiffness. It can be a little annoying and disturbing to the patient regarding mobility, thereby impairing the individual’s day-to-day activity.
Most concerns about lumbar spondylitis scenarios are associated with lifting too much weight, injuries, or prolonged periods with improper sitting postures.
Psoriatic Spondylitis
Psoriatic spondylitis indicates an issue in which a patient has an immune condition with skin involvement.
The condition in the spine could be correlated with pain, inflammation, and reduced mobility.
The symptoms can cause extreme pain, and some people experience difficulty in their daily lives. Left untreated, the inflammation can cause long-term damage to the spine and joints.
Enteropathic Spondylitis
Enteropathic spondylitis results from inflammatory bowel diseases, including Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis. In this group, an inflammatory process such as spine and sacroiliac joint disorders is accompanied by gastrointestinal problems.
Causes of Spondylitis
- Bad postures during prolonged sitting or standing
- Gene human leukocyte antigen B27
- Family history
- Obesity
- Excessive smoking and alcohol consumption
Symptoms of Spondylitis
Below are some of the common symptoms of Spondylitis:
- Prolonged pain and stiffness in the back, neck, or lower spine
- Difficulty in flexing and limited range of movement
- Fatigue and general malaise
- Swelling and tenderness in the affected joints
- Difficulty with standing fully erect
- A pain pattern that worsens after periods of inactivity
- Severe cases can lead to deformity of the spine and fusion of vertebrae.
Diagnosis for Spondylitis
Spondylitis diagnosis is tough because its development is insipidly slow, and there is no definitive test available.
But one can consider their symptoms. Patients normally exhibit certain symptoms to their general practitioner (GPs), specify what conditions they are in, and state the duration of the conditions.
Then, the GP may ask for blood chemistry to establish signs of inflammation. When he has evidence of any manifestation of inflammation, he will arrange for further investigations, such as an X-ray to exclude other causes or MRI or ultrasound. As diagnosis mainly relies on the progress of clinical conditions, medical practitioners take a long time to establish the diagnosis clearly.
Ways to minimize the effect of Spondylitis
It is established that chronic spondylitis will become less painful and slower in progression if some lifestyle modifications are instituted. Such an active regime can improve mobility, prevent complications, and improve general well-being.
Stay Active with the Right Exercises
The modern science of spondylosis requires the right form of exercises and the right physical activity to most likely achieve the patient’s goals.
A whole range of stretching and yoga may provide good opportunities to improve posturing, improve movement, and relieve stiffness and subsequent pain. Strength training supervised by professionals may also, in the clinical judgement of such experts, be offered to aid in spinal health by strengthening the muscles that assist the affected joints.
Maintain Good Posture
Poor posture will aggravate the symptoms of spondylitis, while good posture will relieve strain and undue suffering to the spine. Therefore, good posture while sitting, standing, and sleeping dispositions should be practiced.
Using an ergonomic chair can help you stay aligned while sitting for long periods of time. It is also important to keep your screen at eye level and your feet flat on the floor while seated at your desk.
Follow an Anti-Inflammatory Diet
Food matters even when reacting to inflammation. Anti-inflammatory foods such as greens, berries, nuts, fatty fish, and whole grains may help decrease flare-ups.
Avoid processed and sugary snacks, also dairy products in excess; these could inflame your joints. Additionally, drinking plenty of water along with omega-3-rich foods is good for your joints.
Manage Your Weight
Extra weight will involve additional strain on the spine and joints, resulting in a correspondingly greater amount of pain and discomfort. The weight, however, should be maintained through appropriate diet and regular exercise of the body so that it contributes to the relief of symptoms and prevents complications.
Seek Physical Therapy
Additionally, working with a physical therapist may yield the greatest advantage. This program may include personalized exercises that improve mobility and gradually strengthen trunk muscles, helping stabilize the spine and decrease stiffness. Hydrotherapy and guided stretching may yield substantial relief.
Such efforts benefit patients with spondylitis by allowing them to lead active yet more comfortable lives with reduced impacts of the disease.
Treatment options for Spondylitis
The treatment modalities for spondylitis include pain relief, mobility enhancement, and slowing down progressive disease. Some of the common treatments include-
- It does have the most important role in improving flexibility and strengthening spine health.
- In extreme circumstances of severe spinal impairment, surgical alleviation may be an option.
Given that most often, medication, therapy, and changes to lifestyle are the answer for relieving symptoms and improving quality of life.
Key Difference Between Spondylosis and Spondylitis
Here, we have prepared the table to help you discover the difference between spondylosis and spondylitis:
| Basis | Spondylosis | Spondylitis |
| Definition | Degenerative changes in the spine due to aging. | Inflammatory condition affecting the spine and joints. |
| Cause | Wear-and-tear, aging, and disc degeneration. | Autoimmune response and chronic inflammation. |
| Symptoms | Neck and back stiffness, pain, nerve compression. | Pain, stiffness, inflammation, and possible spinal fusion. |
| Progression | Gradual deterioration over time. | Can lead to severe inflammation and loss of mobility. |
| Treatment | Pain management, physical therapy, and lifestyle changes. | Anti-inflammatory drugs, biologics, and physical therapy. |
Conclusion
Spondylitis is a long-standing inflammatory condition of the spine that can make a person immobile and affect mobility and quality of life. A very early diagnosis and proper treatments, be it therapy, medication, or lifestyle modifications, would help conserve movement and prevent further complications.
Therefore, knowing the causes, symptoms, and modes of treatment for the disease enables the patient to do much self-rehabilitation.
References:
Mayo clinic – https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ankylosing-spondylitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20354808
National Institute of Health – https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/ankylosing-spondylitis
Cleveland Clinic – https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/ankylosing-spondylitis
FAQs:
Is it possible to cure Spondylitis?
No, it is not totally treatable. Taking preventive measures at an early stage with the right treatment option can help relieve the condition.
Can massage help in Spondylitis?
Yes, gentle massage by a qualified massage therapist familiar with spinal conditions can benefit muscle stiffness and blood circulation.
Can women be affected by Ankylosing Spondylitis?
Yes, there are chances that women can also be affected by Ankylosing Spondylitis.
Which food to eat during Spondylitis?
n anti-inflammatory diet can actually encourage people to adopt fish, turmeric, nuts, leafy greens, and fruits as their usual food sources, especially in fighting inflammation.
Consider limiting or avoiding foods that can contribute to inflammation and pro-inflammatory reactions. These include red meat, sugar, refined flour, fried foods, gluten, alcohol, and processed foods.
Who is Prone to spondylosis?
Spondylosis mostly manifests in elderly persons, those leading sedentary lives and having poor posture or repetitive strain on the spine. It also could run in the family or be caused by obesity.
