How to treat ankylosing spondylitis in the early stages?

Ankylosing spondylitis is relatively unfamiliar to many people. In fact, it is an inflammatory disease that uses the sacroiliac joints and spine as attachment points and is accompanied by inflammation. It can have a great impact and cause many diseases, such as fibrosis and calcification of the annulus fibrosus of the intervertebral disc and the tissues nearby. This is a chronic disease that can make the joints very stiff. It is also a rheumatic disease. There is no clear explanation for the cause of this disease, so what are its treatments?

1. The purpose of AS treatment

Aims to control inflammation, reduce or relieve symptoms, maintain normal posture and optimal functional position, and prevent deformity. To achieve the above goals, the key lies in early diagnosis and early treatment, and the adoption of comprehensive measures for treatment, including educating patients and their families, physical therapy, physiotherapy, drugs and surgical treatment.

(1) The treatment of this disease starts with educating patients and their families so that they understand the nature of the disease, its general course, possible measures to be taken, and future prognosis, in order to enhance their confidence and patience in fighting the disease and gain their understanding and close cooperation.

(2) Pay attention to maintaining a normal posture and mobility in daily life. For example, you should keep your chest up and your abdomen in when walking, sitting, and standing. When sleeping, do not use a pillow or use a thin pillow. Sleep on a hardwood bed, lying on your back or prone, and lie prone for half an hour each morning and evening. Participate in labor and sports activities within your ability. Pay attention to your posture when working to prevent spinal curvature and deformity.

(3) Maintain an optimistic mood, eliminate tension, anxiety, depression and fear; quit smoking and drinking; maintain a regular work and rest schedule, and participate in medical physical exercise.

(4) Understand the effects and side effects of drugs, learn to adjust drug dosage and deal with drug side effects on your own, so as to cooperate with treatment and achieve better results.

2. Physical therapy

Physical therapy is beneficial for various chronic diseases, but is even more important for AS. It can maintain the physiological curvature of the spine and prevent deformity. Maintain chest mobility and maintain normal respiratory function. Maintain bone density and strength, prevent osteoporosis and limb disuse muscle atrophy, etc. Patients can adopt appropriate exercise methods and amounts according to their personal circumstances. If the new pain persists for more than 2 hours and cannot be recovered, it indicates excessive exercise and the amount of exercise should be appropriately reduced or the exercise method should be adjusted.

In addition to the treatment methods mentioned above, there are also general physical therapies, such as heat therapy, which can be done by hot baths, showers, or even hot springs to increase local circulation. As we all know, muscles will be more relaxed after a hot bath, which can help relieve pain and improve joint mobility. It can also prevent deformities, etc.