Ankylosing Spondylitis

Overview

Ankylosing spondylitis is a type of arthritis that affects joints in your spine. Healthcare providers sometimes call it axial spondylarthritis.

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) also affects the joints where the base of your spine meets your pelvis (your sacroiliac joints). Your sacroiliac joints are the connection between your spine and pelvis. Specifically, they’re the place where the sacrum (the triangle-shaped last section of your spine) meets the ilium (the top and back part of your pelvis).

The sacroiliac joints are some of the biggest joints in your body, and you use them every time you move or shift your hips.

It’s less common, but ankylosing spondylitis can affect other joints, including your:

Shoulders.
Hips.
Knees.

Ankylosing spondylitis causes pain, stiffness and gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms. Visit a healthcare provider if you’re experiencing lower back pain, especially if it’s getting worse or making it hard to do all your usual daily activities.

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Symptoms

When to see a doctor

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Complications

Blood clots are a dangerous complication of atrial fibrillation (AFib). Blood clots can lead to stroke.

The risk of stroke from AFib increases as you grow older. Other health conditions also may increase the risk of a stroke due to AFib. These conditions include:

High blood pressure.
Diabetes.
Heart failure.
Some types of heart valve disease.

Blood thinners are commonly prescribed to prevent blood clots and strokes in people with atrial fibrillation.

Prevention

Healthy lifestyle choices can reduce the risk of heart disease and may prevent atrial fibrillation (AFib). Here are some basic heart-healthy tips:

Control high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
Don't smoke or use tobacco.
Eat a diet that's low in salt and saturated fat.
Exercise at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week unless your health care team says not to.
Get good sleep. Adults should aim for 7 to 9 hours daily.
Maintain a healthy weight.
Reduce and manage stress.

By Freedmans Health Clinic Staff

Living with atrial fibrillation?

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