Management and Prevention of Ankylosing Spondylitis

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Overview

Human beings got the ability to move, sit and maintain stability in the postures because of our musculoskeletal system or locomotors system. This system is made up of bones, muscles, cartilages, tendons and ligaments. One more disorder which affects our loco motor system is Ankylosing spondylitis.

Sometimes it is also called as ‘Spondyloarthritis’ which is a form of arthritis that  usually affects  the spinal cord, although it can also affect other joints. We can call spondylitis is a disorder instead of a disease because in this group of diseases are incorporated, which may affect other organs along with the muscular-skeletal system. In this disorder inflammation of vertebral column and joints takes place. It can occur at any age but affects men more often than women. It is also an autoimmune disorder. According to ayurveda it is an “Asthivaha stroto vyadhi”

WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS?

  • Anuvanshik karana (Hereditary) – Our genes play a major role in leading a disease free life. If a person has a history of this disease in the family, then he is more likely to suffer from ankylosing spondylitis. This disorder is also a genetic one. In most people with spondylitis, a gene called HLA-B27 is found. Although people with this gene are more likely to have spondylitis, it is also found in those who do not have this gene.

Our Diet and Lifestyle –

(Reference – Charaka samhita / Vimana sthana / Srotovimanadhyaye / Chapter no. 5 / Shaloka no. 16)

Our unwholesome diet and lifestyle which aggravates and vitiates vata dosha in our body are responsible for vitiating Asthivaha srotas. That is the main contributory factor for the production of this disease.

  • Hormonal imbalance is also responsible for the production of this disease.
  • Risk factors –
  • Age – Ankylosing Spondylitis is mostly affecting teenagers and young adults.
  • Obesity – Obesity is the provoking factor for almost all diseases.
  • Smoking and alcohol etc.

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS?

  • Inflammation – Swelling of the vertebrae, along with other joints.
  • Pain – Pain in lower back, pelvic region, vertebral column, back of the ankle, shoulder region, thorax. Pain increases when relaxing or in the morning and decreases by doing physical actions and exercises.
  • Stiffness – Early morning stiffness is characterized feature. Which will affects daily routine.
  • Postural deformity – It can also lead to physical deformity. In it, the vertebrae fuse back together in the back, resulting in hump and reduction of flexibility.
  • Inability to move – It may be due to stiffness and pains.
  • Bone spur – In many severe cases, due to swelling the spinal cord can form a new bone (bone spur).
  • Anorexia – Lack of interest to have food or loss of appetite.
  • Fever – Sometimes associated with fever, usually in early morning.
  • Weight loss – It may be due to loss of appetite.
  • Nausea – Early morning nausea.
  • Dyspnea – In latter stages, it also affects the ribs, which can cause difficulty in breathing.
  • Bamboo spine – Due to vertebral swelling, the inter-vertebral disc gets compressed and the fusion of spinal vertebrae’s takes place. Then the spinal column looks like a long bone, resembles bamboo stick. Bamboo spine is a ‘cardinal feature’ of ankylosing spondylitis.
  • In rare cases, symptoms of heart and lung disease may also appear.
ADTYNF Ankylosing Spondylitis

WHEN TO SHOW THE DOCTOR?

  • If you have pain in the lower back or hips which increases in the morning and if there is trouble in sleeping then show to the doctor immediately.

DIAGNOSTIC CRITERIA

  • 1. CBC (Complete blood count)
  • 2. ESR (Erythrocyte sedimentation rate)
  • 3. Human leukocyte antigen B27 (HLA – B27) test.
  • 4. Immunoglobulin assay.
  • 5. X–Ray of spinal vertebrae.
  • 5. CT – Scan.
  • 6. MRI (Magnetic resonance imaging).

TREATMENT MANAGEMENT OF SPONDYLOARTHRITIS

  • Swelling reduction
  • Pain management
  • Rejuvenation
  • Physiotherapy
  • Preventive measures

BENEFICIAL HERBS IN THIS CONDITION

  • Shallaki (Boswellia serrata) – Shallaki is well known herb for its strengthening action over organs of the musculoskeletal system (bones, ligaments, muscles and joints).
  • Guggulu (Commiphora mukul) – It helps to reduce swelling and extra growth of tissues, hence beneficial in the bone spur.
  • Punarnava (Boerhavia diffusa) – Punarnava has diuretic action which helps in the reduction of edema, eliminates an extra amount of accumulated fluid from these swollen sacs.
  • Haritaki (Terminalia chebula) – It helps to detoxify the body, hence removes the accumulated ama (toxin), which is the main cause for body stiffness.
  • Asthishrinkhla (Cissus quadrangularis) – Strengthens and nourishes bones and joints.
  • Haridra (Curcuma longa) – Due to it’s an anti – inflammatory action it is beneficial in ankylosing spondylitis.
  • Rasona or Lashuna (Allium sativum) – It is a well known herb for its analgesic effect over the nervous system.
  • Rasana (Pluchea lanceolata)  – It helps to maintain vata dosha in our body, hence able to manage body pains.
  • CALCIUM COMPOUNDS – Natural calcium like – Prawal (Coral), Mukta (Pearls) and Shukti (Cowry) will be helpful, it complete the needs of calcium and phosphorus in our body.
  • Amla (Indian gooseberry) – Amalaki is considered as best rasayan. It will help to rejuvenate the damaged cells in our body.

EFFECTIVE HOME REMEDIES

  • Use drum sticks on a daily basis as it is a rich source of calcium.
  • Add a few drops of cow ghee in milk helps to boost immunity.
  • Massage your vertebral column with oil and expose to sunlight for about 15-20 minutes, is proven to be beneficial in this condition.
  • Add shunthi (dry ginger) and haldi (turmeric) in your diet. Both are anti-inflammatory herbs, they will reduce the swelling.
  • The use of hot water is beneficial.

PANCHAKARMA

  • A special contribution of ayurveda which helps to detoxify the body and improves the function of muscular-skeletal system. Ankylosing spondylitis patients can go for special body massages like Patra pinda swedana, Shashtik shali swedana etc

PHYSIOTHERAPY

  • Special physical exercises which help to reduce stiffness and pain, increases ROM (range of movement) and prevent the risk of physical deformity.

YOGA AND MEDITATION

  • These mindful exercises helps to maintain a proper hormonal level in our body, which are responsible for various function.

OUR DIET

  • TAKE – You can take calcium rich diet like – milk, moringa / drumsticks. Consume eggs, ragi (finger millets), moong daal, apple, banana,
  • AVOID – Curd is considered as an ‘abhishyandhi ahara’ which causes obstruction in the channels those supplies nutrients to all the body tissues.

HOW TO PREVENT ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS?

  • Eat a healthy diet.
  • Maintain body weight.
  • Do exercise it will help to keep your body flexible.
  • Drink plenty of water it helps to flush toxins.