Ankylosing spondylitis treatment overview by Dr. Rajesh Shah, MD

Ankylosing spondylitis, which is inflammatory arthritis adversely affecting the large joints and spine, affects young people calling for the planning of a long-term ankylosing spondylitis treatment in such a way that the disease remains under control, a good relief in symptoms is achieved, and dependency on the chemical-based medicines may be reduced over the years.

The management of Ankylosing spondylitis includes medicines, physiotherapy, and exercise:

• Conventional medicines
• Homeopathic medicines
• Physiotherapy
• Self-help Exercises
• Diet
• Surgery (In extreme cases)

The purpose of Ankylosing spondylitis treatment is:

To get relief from pain

To control the disease process

To improve mobility

To reduce stiffness

To reduce dependency on chemical-based medicines

The most commonly used conventional medicines (also called as allopathic medicines) for ankylosing spondylitis treatment are:

• Sulfasalazine
• Methotrexate
• Corticosteroids

a. Sulfasalazine (Salazopyrine): This immunosuppressive medicine has been used for various forms of arthritis including Ankylosing spondylitis, rheumatoid arthritis as well as for ulcerative colitis. It gives good results.

Downside: It gives drug-dependency. The adverse effects are agranulocytosis and reduction in sperm counts in young males.

b. Methotrexate: It’s a powerful immunosuppressive medicine which gives quick relief, but the disease returns on stopping the medicine in most cases.

Downside: Produces drug dependency and many major adverse effects; so, not a common medicine of choice.

c. Corticosteroids: Similar to Methotrexate

Homeopathic medicines are prescribed on the basis of individual case evaluation, by taking into account the patient’s genetic, immunological, and psychological parameters. It is safe and effective as a long-term therapy. It reduces pain, improves mobility, and, most importantly, controls the disease. It has no adverse effects. Make sure you go for homeopathic medicines for ankylosing spondylitis treatment from an expert, well-trained homeopath.

Strategic exercises done regularly with the help and guidance of a trained physiotherapist is an important and effective ankylosing spondylitis treatment. Depending on the affected joints, a different set of exercises could be prescribed to the patient.

Downside: Frequent sessions of physiotherapy may turn out to be quite expensive for some patients. The solution is to learn exercises from a physiotherapist and perform them at home, subsequently without visiting the clinic or hospital.

Every patient of ankylosing spondylitis must perform exercises as a part of his ankylosing spondylitis treatment. Regular exercises of the neck and other joint workouts, such as walk, swimming, and other exercises, help and are necessary for all the cases of ankylosing spondylitis.

There is no specific diet suggested improving the relief from ankylosing spondylitis. However, it is advised to avoid sour food, which has been found to increase joint pain in many patients. Also, it is better to avoid animal proteins such as meat, which is hard on the immune system. Following these diet tips and eating healthy can support ankylosing spondylitis treatment positively.

Surgery is not a commonly indicated ankylosing spondylitis treatment. In advanced cases, when the deformity becomes very severe leading to immobility of the joint, such as neck or hip, some reconstructive surgery may be required.

Overall, it must be remembered by all the patients of ankylosing spondylitis that if timely treatment is taken and supported with disciplined exercise and physiotherapy, the disease can remain under good control and surgical intervention could be avoided.

Advantages Of Homeopathy For Ankylosing Spondylitis:

Homeopathy is indeed a great boon to the patients of ankylosing spondylitis to obtain relief. Homeopathy for ankylosing spondylitis treatment offers you numerous benefits as below.

• If you go for homeopathic treatment in the initial stages of ankylosing spondylitis, then it helps reverse the condition.
• It helps ease several symptoms of the disease and offers you a great relief from pain and stiffness.
• It regulates the underlying disease process and its further progress.
• Homeopathy for ankylosing spondylitis treatment addresses the patient’s altered immunity and treats the roots of the ailment.
• It is absolutely safe and without any side-effects, even if you continue it for a long period.
• Homeopathy reduces dependency on the chemical based medicines.

5 Health Tips To Follow To Alleviate Ankylosing Spondylitis Discomfort:

It is necessary for you to follow certain self-healthcare measures while you are following homeopathy for ankylosing spondylitis treatment. Here, we list some tips that you should follow to reduce your discomfort.

1. Improve Your Posture:

Make sure you maintain a correct posture all the time. Avoid slouching in the chair. Sit and stand straight. Keeping your spine straight can help prevent further complications. Ensure your chair at work and home has a firm seat and firm back that supports your back and head. Avoid sitting on soft, low chairs as it may encourage bad, improper postures and aggravate your pain.

2. Care For Your Spine:

Caring for your spine largely supports ankylosing spondylitis treatment. Lie flat either on your back or stomach every day for about 20 minutes. Move your spine regularly. Sit tall and try putting your shoulders back as it helps stretch and straighten your spine. Avoid sitting for long hours, get up and walk around. If you need pillows, then use just one feather pillow, which offers your neck a good support and suits your any position, while sleeping. Make sure your bed is frim and does not sag.

3. Exercise:

Do exercises every day. Doing deep breathing daily for several minutes is effective in keeping the joints between your ribs and spine flexible.  Go for swimming. Do some stretching exercises daily.

4. Apply Heat Or Cold:

Applying heat to your body while the following homeopathy for ankylosing spondylitis treatment can help minimize stiffness and pain. Go for hot tub bath, shower, or regular bath with hot water the first thing in the morning or before retiring to the bed. Electric blankets or hot water bottles too can offer you a great relief. Applying an ice-pack or bag comprising frozen peas covered by a towel to the inflamed area of your body can offer you a relief.

5. Eat Healthy:

Eat a nutritious diet which contains ample of proteins. Include fresh fruits and vegetables in your regular diet. Have milk. But, at the same time, watch out that you do not turn obese or overweight. Quit smoking.

Side-Effects Of Other Treatments For Ankylosing Spondylitis:

While homeopathy for ankylosing spondylitis treatment is totally safe, certain other kinds of treatments may produce adverse effects. Some of them are as below.

• Methotrexate: Using methotrexate for relief can adversely affect your liver. It produces drug dependency.

• Sulfasalazine: Going for sulfasalazine to alleviate your discomfort may also make you suffer from side-effects, such as mouth ulcers, bloating, nausea, or headaches. It also produces drug dependency.

• Biologics: When using biologics, you are more vulnerable to infections, such as tuberculosis, fever, or congestion. In rare cases, they may also increase the risk of development of cancer.