How to Diagnose Ankylosing Spondylitis
October 23, 2008
This is condition whose diagnosis is very difficult because the patient shows the same symptoms like mild arthritis. Some of these symptoms are painful and stiff back, fever, loss of appetite, breathing problems and fatigue. Since back pain is a normal sign of any arthritis, it is difficult to accurately diagnose the problem.
Early diagnosis Recommended
The best thing to do in managing Ankylosing spondylitis is to have it diagnosed early because a lot of effective treatments exist.
Symptoms
The things to consider in diagnosing the condition are:
1. The age of the person, whether he is below 35 years
2. Whether the pain is chronic or not. By chronic we mean whether it has lasted for more than three moths
3. Whether the back pain is more severe after resting for long periods
4. Does the back pain reduce after exercise or physical activity?
5. Finally, does the patient respond positively to NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)
The physician must physically examine the places of the inflammation like the tenderness in the back, chest, pelvic bones, sacroiliac joints and the heel. He must look out for limitations in spinal mobility in all directions, and also find out whether there are restrictions in chest cavity expansion before the diagnosis.
In addition, the history of the patient should be checked to see if he ever had eye inflammation, gastrointestinal infections, or a family history of the disease. The physician must establish whether or not the patient experiences fatigue.
Tests
The following tests are usually done: X-rays to find out whether there are inflammations in the sacroiliac joints. Conventional X-rays show changes in the sacroiliac joints at the progressive state of the disease. If this does not work, MRI must be done. This can detect the disease at an earlier state. The use of ultrasound is also being studied.
Through a blood test, the presence of the HLA-B27 gene checked. That does not mean it is only those with HLA-B27 gene who have the disease. Many have the gene but do not develop the disease. It is only used if the other tests fail.
Ankylosing Spondylitis is capable of expanding to reach other parts of the body. Early diagnosis and effective treatment is necessary for that matter.
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