Ankylosing Spondylitis Increases Among Women
Recent statistics show that for every man who suffers from Ankylosing Spondylitis are three women with the same condition even without a scientific explanation for it however medicine offers important alternatives to improve the quality of life.
The life of a patient with Ankylosing Spondylitis is not easy because you must learn to live permanently in pain and organize all your activities around it. Particularly women-who recorded 75% of total cases in the age range between 25 and 45 years have limited their daily performance and affected the environment in the family and work.
This occurs when the coating on the inside of the joints becomes inflamed causing pain and numbness are common damage in fingers and toes but they are not rare in wrists elbows shoulders hips knees and ankles. They can move into cartilage bone and ligaments causing deformity scarring and stiffness (contractures) which definitely hinders the movement especially after long periods of rest.
It should be emphasized that if the problem progresses cysts may develop behind affected knees that may rupture causing pain and swelling in the legs and can also be inflammation and abnormal functions of the glands that produce tears saliva juice digestive or vaginal discharge.
What is the cause?
Although arthritis and other rheumatic diseases are as stale as humanity itself science has no precise explanation for its origin. However it has been possible to identify factors that may influence the problem presents itself as being above 35 years of age smoking or the fact that one of the parents has suffered and some infectious agents (bacteria or virus) .
“Unfortunately could not find a significant factor affecting indicate why more women than men so that it can not yet speak of a precautionary measure to avoid this kind of disease development” emphasizes the specialist.
Ankylosing Spondylitis usually starts subtly even from childhood gradually affecting different joints but may also start suddenly. Early symptoms of Ankylosing Spondylitis may confuse the patient because it is traits that are common to other diseases such as unexplained fever tiredness tingling in hands or feet continuous cough chest pain or side dry mouth flushing in the eyes and / or blotchy skin.
However undoubtedly a sign that warns the patient must see a doctor is stiff in the mornings especially on rising which can last for over an hour. Importantly inflammation is usually symmetrical in other words when it affects a joint on one side of the body for the other side is also damaged.
To confirm the problem the doctor asked the patient to perform an examination to locate the blood called rheumatoid factor antibody found in people with rheumatic disease. The same test will measure the amount of leukocytes (white cells) because if it is low indicating the presence of any condition of the same type.
However to assess the damage caused by the disease specialist (rheumatologist) has the option of using arthrography i-e a specific x-ray of a joint or X-rays of bones and internal organs. It also has the option of using the method called arthroscopy in which tiny camera is inserted into a joint to see the inside and even to repair or rebuild internal tissues and close.
Facing the pain
As stated at the beginning the pain in an arthritis patient will be the focus of their daily lives especially when it has become chronic i-e has lasted for more than 6 weeks which comes to extend for months or years. Thus the treatment must go to your control using drugs that reduce both ailments do the same with inflammation thereby to recover somehow lost mobility.
For decades scholars have prescribed analgesics (such as paracetamol) and anti-inflammatories (diclofenac meloxicam celecoxib and rofecoxib) that act after minutes or hours of having taken. They have also considered drugs with long-term action (methotrexate leflunomide infliximab and etanercept) showing its effectiveness after several weeks of consumption.
The big problem for those who have had to use these drugs is that damaged gastric (stomach) or kidney (in kidney) because of its use. But medicine has developed new drugs with fewer side effects including so-called NSAIDs (also known as NSAIDs).
Science offers today substances such as valdecoxib which provides relief to patients shortly after administration and its effect lasts long so it is only administered once daily unlike pain relievers that requires at least 3 to 4 times daily thing “says the specialist.
Effects unthinkable
In advanced cases arthritis can cause deformity of the joints (Ankylosing Spondylitis ) affect the appearance of the body producing a psychological effect that affects the relationship. Body image will affect self-esteem and then start to develop negative feelings depression and fear of rejection being even more pronounced in women.
But sometimes there is little sexual desire as a side effect of the disease or the medications that are part of treatment if one adds to this pain in certain movements is understandable that the ability to enjoy sex looks diminished.
However people with arthritis can have satisfying sexual relationships. The first step will give the couple the patient (a) who must strive to understand the feelings of their counterparts and help you overcome difficult moments from good communication.
If you live near a rheumatic patient remember that it is very important to raise their self interest in demonstrating their illness also let them know your needs for intimacy and the two plans a meeting in detail.
Ankylosing Spondylitis which have about 1% of Mexico’s population will not affect the environment of the patient if detected at an early stage as if you keep careful hygiene are followed to the letter the instructions of the specialist and if treatment is supplemented with affection and patience of those around you.