Every Back Pain May Not Be a Hernia — It Could Be a Sign of a Rheumatic Disease (Ankylosing Spondylitis)!

Did you know that back pain, which affects at least 10% of the adult population for various reasons and is often overlooked because it usually goes away quickly, may actually be a sign of Ankylosing Spondylitis, an important rheumatic disease that affects a person's entire life?

Take Your Back Pain Seriously!

Back pain is a very common problem around the world. Chronic back pain caused by various reasons occurs in at least 10% of the adult population. Most of these pains are of no clinical significance and go away quickly, so they are usually not taken seriously. However, some of this pain is caused by mechanical reasons such as a herniated disc or a compression fracture of the lumbar vertebrae; and some is caused by Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS), an inflammatory rheumatic disease that typically begins in young and middle adulthood, and related diseases. In addition, although rare, some types of cancer may also first present with back pain. Likewise, some infections such as brucellosis may also present with back pain. For this reason, back pain must be taken seriously and it must be thoroughly investigated whether there is an underlying disease.

Back Pain Appearing in Young People Should Not Be Ignored...

Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS), which appears in young people and causes chronic back pain, has been seen more frequently in society in recent years. Although its cause is not yet known, the incidence of the disease is related to genetic factors. In Ankylosing Spondylitis patients, a gene called HLA-B27 is found at least 10 times more often than in healthy people. If one of the parents has this disease, the likelihood of it appearing in the children is high. In addition, some microbes that cause certain intestinal and urinary tract diseases lead to the development of Ankylosing Spondylitis and related diseases. Likewise, inflammatory bowel diseases such as psoriasis, Crohn's disease, and ulcerative colitis can also lead to the onset of these diseases.

Are You an Ankylosing Spondylitis Patient?

Take the Test and Find Out!

Are you between 20 and 40 years old and have a back pain that develops slowly?

Does your back pain start after midnight and get worse in the morning?

Do you have difficulty getting out of bed when you wake up?

Does your lower back hurt more after you have been inactive for a long time?

Does your back pain decrease when you move, go to work, or bathe in warm water?

Do your back and neck hurt in addition to your lower back?

Does it feel like the movements of your lower back, back, and neck are restricted?

Has a hunched back started to develop?

If your answer to at least one of these questions is yes, it would be beneficial to consult a physician as soon as possible.

Ankylosing Spondylitis and Related Diseases Do Not Only Affect the Lower Back!

They can affect many joints, especially joints such as the ankle and knee. Involvement of the hip joint can be severe enough to require a hip replacement. In some cases, the disease begins for the first time with a condition of the eye called uveitis. For this reason, it is essential that everyone with anterior uveitis in particular be investigated for Ankylosing Spondylitis and related diseases. If people with psoriasis and inflammatory bowel disease also have back pain, care should be taken regarding these diseases. Less commonly, it can lead to problems with the heart, lungs, and kidneys. It can cause reduced bone density and compression fractures in the vertebrae. Ankylosing Spondylitis, which runs a more severe course in men and can even progress to severe hunching over time, is milder in women. Severe disease presentations are rarer in women. However, this disease does not require that it be left untreated in women. In untreated patients, many problems can arise, especially deformities of the spine and other joints, as well as kidney and heart problems. Timely referral to a rheumatology specialist allows the disease to be recognized earlier.

In Treating Ankylosing Spondylitis, the Primary Goal Is to Suppress Inflammation…

Various anti-inflammatory medications are used for this purpose. In addition to medication, patients are advised to do exercises that strengthen the back muscles. The most suitable sports for these patients are swimming and volleyball. It is also recommended that the person not sleep on their side, that they sleep on their back or stomach and lie flat, and that they quit smoking.