The disease of the joints, which is of a chronic systemic nature, is ankylosing spondylitis. Forecast for life, photos of this disease are presented in this article. Also today we will find out what is another name for this disease, what are its symptoms, and how you can stop its progression.
What is this?
Ankylosing spondylitis is the scientific name for Bechterew's disease. This is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by damage to the spine and sacral plexus, and sometimes internal organs (heart, eyes, lungs, kidneys, etc.).
This disease is genetic in nature, that is, it can only be inherited. Moreover, the carrier of the gene may not even be aware of a possible disease. The inflammatory process begins when an infection enters the body.
Symptomatics
- Pain in the sacrum. Strongerit is felt on one side. Unpleasant sensations can be given to the thigh and lower back.
- Stiffness and pain in the spine. Often occurs after sleeping or staying in the same position for a long time. Passes during the day or after performing therapeutic exercises. Unlike osteochondrosis, Bechterew's disease increases at rest and disappears during exercise.
- Pain in the chest. They become stronger during coughing or deep breathing. Reminiscent of intercostal neuralgia, people confuse them with pain in the heart.
- Violation of the general condition. Patients may complain to the doctor about fatigue, apathy, depression.
- Reducing the distance between the chest and chin.
In the future, the symptoms may increase. There may be asthma attacks, spinal deformity, impaired blood supply to the brain, etc.
Ankylosing spondylitis: prognosis for life
In most cases, the scenario for the development of this disease is happy. Even if the patient has complications of the disease, he is still able to live for a long time. At the same time, a person may not always suffer, because the inflammatory process tends to end, and the joints stop whining.
Provocateurs of disease development
The following situations can cause ankylosing spondylitis:
- Stress.
- Intestinal or urinary infections.
- Hormonal disorders.
- Spinal injury.
Statistics
Manymen and women do not know that Bechterew's disease has a comforting prognosis for life. In 9 out of 10 cases, people retain the ability to independently serve themselves in everyday life. And patients with Bechterew's disease, who have severe forms of the disease, although they stop working, they develop in a different direction: they are engaged in some kind of creativity, even social activities. A striking example of this is the active participation of such people in the clubs of the disabled or veterans.
Cause of death
On average, from 65 to 70 years - this is how long people with a diagnosis of Bechterew's disease can live. The prognosis for life can be disappointing if other problems are connected to this ailment, for example, a spinal fracture with spinal cord injury, stroke, stomach cancer, which appeared as a consequence of an ulcer during drug treatment. Indeed, with spondyloarthritis, patients are prescribed non-steroidal drugs that have a detrimental effect on the gastrointestinal tract.
A disease affecting the strong half of humanity
Ankylosing spondylitis is more common in men than in women. Basically, this disease affects the stronger sex under the age of 40 years. By the way, men are much more likely than women to have serious and complex forms of this disease.
In addition to the main signs of illness, a strong half of humanity has secondary symptoms, such as:
- Kyphosis of the spine.
- Secondary sciatica.
- Conjunctivitis, iritis.
- Pronouncedurethritis.
- Pain in the sacrum.
- Systematic overstrain of the back muscles.
A feature of the manifestation of the disease in men is the progression of spondyloarthritis, and this leads to a complete loss of mobility and flexibility of the spine.
The problem affecting the beautiful half of humanity
Ankylosing spondylitis in men is slightly different from the disease that women can get. In general, this problem in the beautiful half of humanity is less common and most often occurs in a mild form. In women, this disease primarily affects the spine, hip and shoulder joints. Also, in the weaker sex, the disease proceeds for a longer time, while periods of exacerbations and remissions are clearly traced.
Note! A distinctive feature of female spondyloarthritis from male is that in the beautiful half, not the entire spine is ossified, but only the lumbar and sacral sections, while in the stronger sex, numbness occurs much more seriously with such a problem as Bechterew's disease.
Prognosis for life in women is more favorable. After all, this disease does not immobilize the fair sex so much. And even in the last stages of the disease, women retain at least some mobility. Yes, and the spine of the fair sex is less deformed.
Comparative characteristics of the course of spondyloarthritis in both sexes
As it became clear, Bechterew's disease develops differently in women and men. Prognosis for the life of both sexescan be analyzed based on the comparison table below. Here you can see which of the patients suffers more from spondyloarthritis.
| Data | Men | Women |
| Beginning of illness | Obvious, acute forms with severe symptoms | Signs are weak, the disease develops slowly |
| Duration between relapses | Without proper therapy, the duration of remissions is short | May be several years |
| Time onset of illness before acute symptoms occur | 4 to 5 years | 10 to 20 years old |
| Localization of destructive processes in the spine | All departments | Mainly lumbar and sacral |
| Injury to internal organs: liver, kidneys, blood vessels, lungs, heart | Characteristic | Extremely rare |
As can be seen from the table, men suffer more from such an ailment as ankylosing spondylitis. The prognosis can be more comforting for women, and for men - if doctors prescribe the right therapy so that the disease does not progress.
Treatment of disease in the stronger sex
Taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs is the basis for the treatment of such an ailment as Bechterew's disease. How to treat this problem in men? Experts say that the sooner therapy is started, the higher the chances of an effective result. In situations where the problem escalates, patientsyou need to take anti-inflammatory drugs in the maximum dosage. These can be drugs such as Indomethacin, Butadion, Diclofenac, Ketoprofen.
If in Russia spondylitis is treated with medicines, in other countries, for example in China, healers use acupuncture, as well as therapy with leeches. Manual therapy and massage are also used. With their help, the flexibility and elasticity of the spinal column increases, the blood supply to the main organs, bone and muscle tissues increases.
Equally important for the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis in men is he alth-improving gymnastics with physiotherapy exercises. But if the exercises bring discomfort, then you need to stop doing them.
Important! All patients suffering from ankylosing spondylitis are subject to dispensary observation by a rheumatologist. At least once a year, they must be examined by a specialist.
Treatment of spondyloarthritis in women
To prevent the progression of the disease, you need to start therapy on time. This also applies to the female gender. For the treatment of spondyloarthritis in the beautiful half of humanity, anti-inflammatory drugs are used in courses. Women are also prescribed immunosuppressants. Gymnastics is also an important stage in the treatment of spondyloarthritis. For women, the key to successful therapy is the readiness of patients for daily training aimed at strengthening the muscles of the spine, for exercises that increase the flexibility of the joints. Also, experts advise the weaker sex to refusesoft mattress, replacing it with a hard one.
Consequences of improper treatment
With inadequate therapy for ankylosing spondylitis, the patient may experience the following complications:
- Kidney, lung or heart failure.
- Blindness.
- Infectious diseases of the lungs.
- Complete immobility in diseased joints.
People's ratings
Many patients on the forums advise other members of the forum how to treat Bechterew's disease correctly and where to do it better. Some write that you need to go to Germany, others claim that many men and women successfully undergo therapy in Israel. Those people who treated the disease in Russia note that doctors advised them to follow these rules:
- Taking anti-inflammatory drugs. Patients write that the effect of medication is temporary and if nothing else is done, the pain may increase.
- Visits to special spas where patients have the opportunity to undergo special physiotherapy, mud and baths.
- Lifelong diet is a must to prevent the progression of spondyloarthritis.
- Sports, therapeutic exercises, exercises. Patients who exercise regularly maintain their functional state for a long time, they are able to work, even despite the progression of the disease.
Besides these basic rules, patients write that the main thing is to come to terms with what you have. It is then that life will become easier, and the disease will not bother. BUTit is necessary to be treated without fanaticism, without anguish, calmly, so that only benefit remains from therapy.
People also note that effective treatment has a lot to do with faith. If a person believes that he can overcome the disease, then it will be so. Otherwise, any attempts will be fruitless.
Prevention measures
To prevent Bechterew's disease from appearing or starting to progress, it is necessary:
- Go in for sports - it strengthens the muscles of the back and improves coordination.
- Avoid hypothermia.
- Avoid triggers.
- Protect yourself from infections.
Frequently Asked Questions
People who have been diagnosed with spondylitis are interested in answers to such questions from specialists:
- Is a disability group assigned in this case? Doctors note that with a persistent violation of the spine, the patient is indeed assigned the 3rd disability group, regardless of the working conditions in which he works.
- With this disease can be drafted into the army? Experts are unequivocal on this issue and say that a man does not serve with this disease.
- Can I work out in the gym? Rheumatologists say that it is possible, while the emphasis should be on exercises to strengthen the muscles of the back. Experts advise patients to do gymnastics in the water or swimming.
Conclusion
In this article, the reader got acquainted with such a serious genetic problem as Bechterew's disease. Prognosis for life, patient feedback on the treatmentindicate that it is impossible to get rid of the disease, but it is really possible to prevent its progression. During therapy, it is important to follow the following rules: diet, exercise and a systematic examination by a rheumatologist to assess he alth status.
