| What does French tennis player Tatiana Golovin, | | | | reduce pain and symptoms, there is no known cure |
| comedian Lee Hurst or Taiwanese musician Jay Chou | | | | for ankylosing spondylitis. Treatments such as |
| have in common? It's none other than the disease | | | | physical exercises and physiotherapy, along with |
| known as ankylosing spondylitis. | | | | medication, are often used by physicians to help |
| Formerly known as Bechterew's disease, Bechterew | | | | reduce the inflammation and pain. The most |
| syndrome and Marie Strumpell disease, ankylosing | | | | recommended physical exercises by rheumatologists |
| spondylitis is a chronic, inflammatory arthritis and auto | | | | include swimming, stretching, yoga, tai chi, climbing |
| immune disease, which mainly affects the joints in | | | | and Pilates whereas jogging is the least |
| the spine, the sacroilium in the pelvis and in the long | | | | recommended. The three major types of medications |
| run, can cause the merging of the spine. This disease | | | | include anti-inflammatory drugs such as NSAIDS and |
| typically affects young male, aged 18 to 30. | | | | COX-2 inhibitors, DMARDS and TNFα blockers |
| Symptoms such as chronic pain and stiffness in the | | | | (antagonists). In some cases, walking aids are used |
| lower part or the entire spine, which indirectly inflicts | | | | to assist in balancing and relieving the pressure on |
| pain in the buttocks or the back of thighs are often | | | | affected joints. Most patients of ankylosing |
| most apparent. In some cases, this disease can cause | | | | spondylitis are normally advised to alternate their time |
| inflammation of the eye which leads to eye pain, | | | | between resting, sitting and standing due to the |
| floaters, redness, and photophobia and vision loss. | | | | difficulties that they experienced. Apart from that, it |
| This disease can sometimes cause fatigue and | | | | is important for them to maintain a good posture to |
| nausea. If one is to contract the disease before 18, | | | | reduce the chances of causing a curved or fused |
| symptoms such as the swelling and pain of large limb | | | | spine. |
| joints, particularly the knees will occur, followed by | | | | Lastly, surgery will only be an option in the form of |
| the ankles, feet and the spine. | | | | joint replacements, particularly the hips and knees, in |
| Although treatments and medications are available to | | | | severe cases. |