Arthritis is one of the leading causes of disability throughout the world. It can affect any people regardless of age and races. Millions of people are suffering from this condition, and the numbers continue to increase every year. More than hundred types of arthritis are there such as osteoarthritis, psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, gout, septic arthritis, etc. Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a severe, inflammatory arthritis that affects the spine. It can also affect other parts of the body like eyes, heart, lungs and kidneys. When it affects children, it is known as Juvenile ankylosing spondylitis. No cure is available for the condition, but medications, yoga, physical therapy and exercise can decrease the symptoms and manage the pain. Here in this article, you can find some of the home remedies to treat ankylosing spondylitis.
Ankylosing spondylitis is typified by stiffness and pain due to severe inflammation in and around the spine and the sacroiliac joints. Males are 2 to 3 times more likely to develop it compared to women. In this condition, spine becomes stiff and can cause a hunched-forward posture. In severe case, you cannot even lift your head high to see forward. Signs and symptoms start in early adulthood. Initial signs and symptoms are pain & stiffness in the lower back and hips, particularly after inactivity periods and in the morning. These symptoms get worse eventually. Other symptoms include swelling in the vertebral bones, pain in the ribcage, back pain, locking or joining of joints, eye pain, light sensitivity and blurred vision.
Causes of Ankylosing Spondylitis:
The specific cause of this condition is still unknown, but genetic factors, age, stress, autoimmune factors and heredity, seems to be involved. People with gene named HLA - B27 (Human Leukocyte Antigen B27) are at high risk of developing it. Even some bacterial infections can cause ankylosing spondylitis. This has not beenconfirmed till now.
You can apply heat to stiff joints & tight muscles to decrease pain and soreness. Heat can be applied with a heating pad or a warm shower. You can apply cold to inflamed areas to decrease swelling in joints and ease pain. Cold can be applied with a cold compresses and ice.
Ginger and Black Pepper
Consume ginger or black pepper along with your meals. This will detoxify the body.
Turmeric and Milk
Boil 1 Tbsp of turmeric in milk for 25 to 30 minutes and consume it once a day.
Water
Take a copper pan and fill it with water. Leave it overnight and drink the water in the next morning.
Juices
Drink juices of Amla or Aloe Vera daily. These juices make the immune system strong.
Cider Vinegar and Honey
Mix cider vinegar and honey, and consume it thrice a day.
Castor oil and Milk
Add castor oil to milk and drink it at night.
NSAIDs like naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn) and indomethacin (Indocin) are used for this condition. They provide relief from pain, swelling and stiffness. The side effect of them is gastrointestinal bleeding. People those who don’t get relief from these medications, for them doctors recommend TNF (tumor necrosis factor) blockers like Infliximab (Remicade), Etanercept (Enbrel), Adalimumab (Humira) and Golimumab (Simponi). TNF blockers also decrease the pain, stiffness and swollen joints.
Exercise
Exercise plays an important role in the treatment of any ankylosing spondylitis. Performing exercises regularly not only decrease the pain & stiffness, but also improve the overall flexibility of the body. Aerobic and spine strengthening are helpful for this condition. Aerobic exercises relax your mind and enhance the blood and oxygen flow to the muscles, while spine strengthening exercises improve posture and flexibility.
Posture
Good posture is very essential to prevent abnormal bending, stiffness and flexion deformities of the spine. Patients should choose hardback, upright chairs or straight-backed rocking chairs to avoid hunched or stooped postures. Never stoop or stretch across a desk and bench. Also, stay away from propping up the legs as it can cause hip or knee fusion in the bent position. Sleep on a firm mattress with your back straight and avoid sleeping on several pillows.
Yoga Therapy
Yoga can treat almost all the diseases. People suffering from spondylitis can also benefit from yoga. Yoga reduces the back pain & spinal stiffness, improves flexibility and range of motion in the joints of the vertebrae as well as vigor the spinal muscles. It also improves the physical strength and posture. You can practice yoga poses like Matsyasana, Pavanamuktasana, Vajrasana, Shashankasana, Vrikshasana, Bhujangasana, Ardha Matsyendrasana and Makarasana. These yoga poses remove rigidity, correct bad posture and increase flexibility of joints. Pranayama (breathing exercise) improves lung capacity and keeps the ribcage flexible
Massage
Massage can be very useful to decrease pain and stress, if done carefully. It makes the muscles strong that surround the affected area as well as enhances the blood circulation, and thereby improves flexibility.
Video of Yoga for AS from youtube:
Ankylosing spondylitis is typified by stiffness and pain due to severe inflammation in and around the spine and the sacroiliac joints. Males are 2 to 3 times more likely to develop it compared to women. In this condition, spine becomes stiff and can cause a hunched-forward posture. In severe case, you cannot even lift your head high to see forward. Signs and symptoms start in early adulthood. Initial signs and symptoms are pain & stiffness in the lower back and hips, particularly after inactivity periods and in the morning. These symptoms get worse eventually. Other symptoms include swelling in the vertebral bones, pain in the ribcage, back pain, locking or joining of joints, eye pain, light sensitivity and blurred vision.
Causes of Ankylosing Spondylitis:
The specific cause of this condition is still unknown, but genetic factors, age, stress, autoimmune factors and heredity, seems to be involved. People with gene named HLA - B27 (Human Leukocyte Antigen B27) are at high risk of developing it. Even some bacterial infections can cause ankylosing spondylitis. This has not beenconfirmed till now.
Home Remedies for Ankylosing Spondylitis:
Heat/ColdYou can apply heat to stiff joints & tight muscles to decrease pain and soreness. Heat can be applied with a heating pad or a warm shower. You can apply cold to inflamed areas to decrease swelling in joints and ease pain. Cold can be applied with a cold compresses and ice.
Ginger and Black Pepper
Consume ginger or black pepper along with your meals. This will detoxify the body.
Turmeric and Milk
Boil 1 Tbsp of turmeric in milk for 25 to 30 minutes and consume it once a day.
Water
Take a copper pan and fill it with water. Leave it overnight and drink the water in the next morning.
Juices
Drink juices of Amla or Aloe Vera daily. These juices make the immune system strong.
Cider Vinegar and Honey
Mix cider vinegar and honey, and consume it thrice a day.
Castor oil and Milk
Add castor oil to milk and drink it at night.
Treatments for Ankylosing Spondylitis:
MedicationsNSAIDs like naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn) and indomethacin (Indocin) are used for this condition. They provide relief from pain, swelling and stiffness. The side effect of them is gastrointestinal bleeding. People those who don’t get relief from these medications, for them doctors recommend TNF (tumor necrosis factor) blockers like Infliximab (Remicade), Etanercept (Enbrel), Adalimumab (Humira) and Golimumab (Simponi). TNF blockers also decrease the pain, stiffness and swollen joints.
Exercise
Exercise plays an important role in the treatment of any ankylosing spondylitis. Performing exercises regularly not only decrease the pain & stiffness, but also improve the overall flexibility of the body. Aerobic and spine strengthening are helpful for this condition. Aerobic exercises relax your mind and enhance the blood and oxygen flow to the muscles, while spine strengthening exercises improve posture and flexibility.
Posture
Good posture is very essential to prevent abnormal bending, stiffness and flexion deformities of the spine. Patients should choose hardback, upright chairs or straight-backed rocking chairs to avoid hunched or stooped postures. Never stoop or stretch across a desk and bench. Also, stay away from propping up the legs as it can cause hip or knee fusion in the bent position. Sleep on a firm mattress with your back straight and avoid sleeping on several pillows.
Yoga Therapy
Yoga can treat almost all the diseases. People suffering from spondylitis can also benefit from yoga. Yoga reduces the back pain & spinal stiffness, improves flexibility and range of motion in the joints of the vertebrae as well as vigor the spinal muscles. It also improves the physical strength and posture. You can practice yoga poses like Matsyasana, Pavanamuktasana, Vajrasana, Shashankasana, Vrikshasana, Bhujangasana, Ardha Matsyendrasana and Makarasana. These yoga poses remove rigidity, correct bad posture and increase flexibility of joints. Pranayama (breathing exercise) improves lung capacity and keeps the ribcage flexible
Massage
Massage can be very useful to decrease pain and stress, if done carefully. It makes the muscles strong that surround the affected area as well as enhances the blood circulation, and thereby improves flexibility.
Video of Yoga for AS from youtube:
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