What Is Ankylosing Spondylitis?

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a form of arthritis that affects the joints in the spine. Its name comes from the Greek words ankylos, meaning stiffening of a joint, and spondylo, meaning vertebra. Spondylitis causes inflammation (redness, heat, swelling, and pain) in the spine or vertebrae. AS often involves an inflamed sacroiliac (SI) joint, where the spine joins the pelvis.

In some people, the condition can affect other joints. The shoulders, ribs, hips, knees, and feet can be affected. It can also affect places where the tendons and ligaments attach to the bones. Sometimes it can affect other organs such as the eyes, bowel, and very rarely, the heart and lungs.

Many people who have AS have mild back pain that comes and goes. Others have severe, ongoing pain. Sometimes they lose flexibility in the spine. In the most severe cases, the swelling can cause two or more bones of the spine to fuse. This may stiffen the rib cage, restricting lung capacity.


AS usually begins in the teen or young adult years. Most people who have the disease get symptoms before age 30. Only five percent get symptoms after age 45. It affects people for the rest of their lives. And it affects about twice as many men as women.

What Causes Ankylosing Spondylitis?

The cause of AS is unknown. It’s likely that genes (passed from parents to children) and the environment both play a role. The main gene associated with the risk for AS is called HLA-B27. Having the gene doesn’t mean you will get AS. Fewer than 1 of 20 people with HLA-B27 gets AS. Scientists recently discovered two more genes (IL23R and ERAP1) that, along with HLA-B27, carry a genetic risk for AS.

How Is Ankylosing Spondylitis Diagnosed?

To diagnose AS, your doctor will need:

A medical history
A physical exam
X rays or MRIs
Blood tests.
What Type of Doctor Diagnoses and Treats Ankylosing Spondylitis?

Often, a rheumatologist will diagnose AS. This is a doctor trained to treat arthritis and related conditions. Because AS can affect different parts of your body, you may need to see more than one doctor. Some other types of doctors who treat the symptoms of AS are:

An ophthalmologist, who treats eye disease.
A gastroenterologist, who treats bowel disease.
A physiatrist, who specializes in physical medicine and rehabilitation.
A physical therapist, who provides stretching and exercise regimens.
Can Ankylosing Spondylitis Be Cured?

There is no cure for AS. Some treatments relieve symptoms and may keep the disease from getting worse. In most cases, treatment involves medicine, exercise, and self-help measures. In some cases, surgery can repair some joint damage.

What Medicines Are Used to Treat Ankylosing Spondylitis?

Several types of medicines are used to treat AS. It is important to work with your doctor to find the safest and most effective medication for you. Medicines for AS include:

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These drugs relieve pain and swelling. Aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen are examples of NSAIDs.
Corticosteroids. These strong drugs are similar to the cortisone made by your body. They fight inflammation.
Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). These drugs work in different ways to reduce inflammation in AS.
Biologic agents. These are relatively new types of medicine. They block proteins involved with inflammation in the body.
Will Diet and Exercise A healthy diet and exercise are good for everyone, and they may be very helpful if you have AS. There is no specific diet for people with AS, but keeping a healthy weight is important. It reduces stress on painful joints. Omega-3 fatty acids, found in coldwater fish (such as tuna and salmon), flax seeds, and walnuts, might reduce disease activity. This is still being studied.

Exercise and stretching may help painful, stiff joints. It should be done carefully and increased gradually. Before beginning an exercise program, it’s important to speak with a doctor who can tailor exercises to your needs. Two types of exercises may help:

Strengthening exercises
Range-of-motion exercises.
Many people with AS find it helpful to exercise in water.

Will Surgery Be Necessary?

If AS causes joint damage that makes daily activities difficult, joint replacement may be an option. The most commonly replaced joints are the knee and hip.

In very rare cases, surgery to straighten the spine may be recommended. This can only be done by a surgeon with quite a lot of experience in the procedure.

What Can I Do to Help Myself?

These are important things you can do:

See your doctor regularly.
Follow your prescribed treatment plan.
Stay active with regular exercise.
Practice good posture.
Don’t smoke.
What Research Is Being Done on Ankylosing Spondylitis?

Researchers are seeking a better understanding of AS. They are studying:

Lifestyle and other factors that lead to better or worse outcomes.
Genes associated with AS risk.
Development of blood tests to predict AS risk or to aid in early diagnosis.
New drug therapies for AS.

Treatment of High Blood Pressure

It is important to take steps to keep your blood pressure under control.

The treatment goal is blood pressure below 140/90 and lower for people with other conditions, such as diabetes and kidney disease.

Adopting healthy lifestyle habits is an effective first step in both preventing and controlling high blood pressure.

If lifestyle changes alone are not effective in keeping your pressure controlled, it may be necessary to add blood pressure medications.

In this section you will learn about blood pressure-lowering lifestyle habits and blood pressure medications.

హై బీపీ నివారణ 

ఈమధ్యకాలంలో ఎక్కువమంది ఎదుర్కొంటున్న సమస్య హై బీపీ.

ఆహారపు అలవాట్లు, జీవన శైలి, ఒత్తిడి, మానసిక ఆందోళన, ఊబకాయం, కిడ్నీ సమస్య,

హార్మోన్లలో మార్పులు, ఉప్పు ఎక్కువగా తినడం, వంశ పారంపర్య లక్షణం లాంటి అనేక

కారణాలతో హై బీపీ వస్తుంది.

కారణం ఏదైతేనేం అధిక రక్తపోటు సమస్య మూత్రపిండాల వ్యాధి, గుండెపోటు లాంటి

ఆటుపోట్లకు దారితీస్తుంది.

బ్రెయిన్ హామరేజ్ వచ్చే ప్రమాదం కూడా ఉంది. కనుక హై బీపీని అశ్రద్ధ చేయడానికి

వీల్లేదు.

బీపీ అదుపు తప్పకుండా చూసుకోవాలి. అందుకు ఎన్నో సులువైన మార్గాలున్నాయి.

వాటిల్లో ఏ కొన్ని పాటించినా హై బీపీ నుండి బయట పడవచ్చు. అలాంటి రెమెడీలు మీ

కోసం...

* రోజూ వ్యాయామం చేయాలి. అందువల్ల రక్తప్రసరణ సవ్యంగా సాగి, హై బీపీ తగ్గుతుంది.

* పచ్చటి చెట్ల మధ్య అరగంటపాటు వాకింగ్ చేస్తే రక్తపోటు నియంత్రణలో ఉంటుంది.

ప్రాణాయామం, వజ్రాసనం, మత్స్యాసనం మొదలైన ఆసనాలు హై బీపీని తగ్గిస్తాయి.

* తినే పదార్ధాల్లో ఉప్పు బాగా తగ్గించాలి. వత్తిడిని తగ్గించుకోవాలి. అందుకోసం మెడిటేషన్

చేయాలి.

* సిగరెట్, ఆల్కహాల్ లాంటి అలవాట్లు ఉంటే తక్షణం మానేయాలి.

* ఉసిరి పొడిని తేనెతో రంగరించి తింటే హై బీపీ తగ్గుతుంది.

* పుచ్చకాయ జ్యూసు అధిక రక్తపోటును నివారిస్తుంది.

అన్నీ తేలికైన మార్గాలే. వీటిల్లో ఏ కొన్నిటిని పాటించినా హై బీపీ నుండి బయటపడవచ్చు.

ఇంత సులువైన మార్గాలను వదిలి ప్రాణాంతకమైన హై బీపీని పెంచి పోషించాల్సిన

అవసరం లేదు కదా, మీరే ఆలోచించండి.

Tips for Sound Sleep

After good sleep hygiene, the person feel refresh and energies throughout the day.

* Warm shower bath is good before going to bed as it helps to relax for good sleep. 

* Proper and regular time for meal, medications, help to adjust your body clock and ease to smooth sleeping.

* Brisk walk for 15-20 minutes preferably in the evening is good for sound sleeping.

* Yogasanas, Pranayama and Mediation should be done on regular basis.

* Try to avoid stress environment. 

* Meditation should be performed before going to bed every day as it helps to relax and lighten up your body and helps to give better sleep.

* Rigorous exercise should be avoided as it produce stimulants that disturb the sleeping mechanism in the body. 

* Brahmi Oil helps calm and clear the mind, enhancing peaceful sleep.

* Herbs like chamomile, passionflower, and skullcap to help calm the mind, soothe nerves and support sound, restful sleep.

* Reading a book, listening soothing music may induce sleeping.

* Avoid taking naps, especially after 3.00pm as it hinder in your night sleeping. 

* Caffeine, nicotine should be avoided, strictly after dinner as it may disturb the rhythm of your body and also not good for sleep hygiene.

* Keep yourself away from alcohol and cigarette. 

* Going to bed hungry or taking heavy dinner both should be discouraged.

* Give more weightage to salads and fruits in dinner. 

* Avoid sleeping pills as it may lead to develop different type of disorders in the body.

* Bats sleeps 16 hours a day because its cave is quiet, dark and a little bit cool. We may also make our bedroom quiet, cool and dark for good sleep. 

* Unless and until you are feeling sleepy, do some work so to encourage your sleeping.

* Massage of the head and foot is good for sleeping.

To have a hygienic sleep.

Iron Deficiency Anemia

Iron deficiency is the most common nutritional deficiency and the leading cause of anemia in the world. Iron deficiency at critical times of growth and development can result in premature births, low birth weight babies, delayed growth and development, delayed normal infant activity and movement.

Iron deficiency can result in poor memory or poor cognitive skills and can result in poor performance in school, work,and in military or recreational activities.

Iron Deficiency Anemia Symptoms.

1. Your fingernails break easily.

2. You may feel a lack of hunger.

3. You may be having a lot of headaches.

4. You may feel lethargic and weak

5. There might be a shortness of breath.

6. You may be feeling depressed or agitated.

7. Sometimes there are people that have a sore tongue.

8. Your skin color may be extremely pale.

Treatments 

The treatments given are usually iron supplements unless the cause is kidney disease.

Sometimes if the iron deficiency is too severe, a transfusion may be needed.

Dietary changes will probably also be given. Eating foods that provide the body with iron such as raisins, dried beans, (in other words legumes), fish, and some meats. Liver is about the best iron source.