Young men more prone to Ankylosing Spondylitis Young adults in their late twenties and early thirties are experiencing a chronic condition called Ankylosing Spondylitis
Young adults in their late twenties and early thirties are experiencing a chronic condition called Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS). AS is a condition which can affect anyone, but primarily it impacts young males in their teenage and the age group of 20-30 years. It is an irreversible, inflammatory and autoimmune disease which occurs when an overgrowth of the bones results in the spine's bones fusing together which results in a rigidity of the spine.Prevalent amongst 1 in 100 of the adult population, AS also affects bones of the neck, back, inner thighs, hips and can severely disrupt mobility and cause damage to a person's posture.If left undiagnosed and untreated, the disease can lead to structural damage and can bend the spine and neck to an extent where it may become impossible for one to lift their head high enough to see what's in front of the spine. This is known as 'structural damage progression.' The pain occurs usually during mornings, especially 30-45 minutes after waking up. The pain can last up to 90 days, even after a patient starts taking painkillers.Most people with AS have a gene called HLA-B27. In most cases, the gene is ruled out as an absolute cause of Ankylosing Spondylitis, but it contributes to it. "Ankylosing spondylitis is a disease that usually affects young men and most patients are of an age less than 40 years. While pain in the lower back is the most common symptom, it gets worse when the patient is resting or sleeping, and it improves upon performing activities or while exercising," said Dr. Sushant Shinde, a consultant physician with Quest Clinic, Mumbai. "As the disease progresses, stiffness can impact the upper back as well as the neck. As the joints in the spine undergo long-term damage it leads to severe complications where the back loses its flexibility and in specific cases, the patients are left wheelchair-bound," added Shinde.