Coping with Ankylosing Spondylitis

Whilst medication will play a major part in dealing with AS, there are many things that people can do for themselves in order to minimise the effects of this condition. We set out below some of those things together with practical suggestions.

Exercise

Daily exercise is crucial in ensuring that the spine does not seize up altogether. A properly structured exercise programme helps to maintain good posture, felxibility and will eventually help to lessen pain. The ARC site lists five exercises for people with AS. It is important to get the balance right between exercise and rest, people should not push themselves to extreme fatigue or pain. We would recommend that any exercise programme is discussed with either a doctor or physiotherapist prior to implementation. Swimming is considered to be good exercise for people with AS, contact sports should be avoided as these put further pressure on the spine.

Posture

Developing good posture habits is important to prevent the stiffening and eventual fusion of the spine. The Spondylitis Association of America has an excellent page on the things people can do to to maintain good posture:

• Think Tall. Hold the head in a balanced manner over the trunk in a sitting or standing position. The chin should be horizontal and parallel to the floor, drawn back slightly and centred. It is important to stand, walk and sit "tall" at all times;
• Back Against the Wall. Within view of a full-sized mirror, stand against a wall to check posture. Place the heels about four inches away from the wall. The buttocks and shoulders should be as close to the wall as possible- even touching lightly. Don't strain. Hold for five seconds, relax and do it again;
• Prone Lying.(This is the best exercise for maintaining erect posture.) Lie face down on a firm surface, such as the floor or a firm bed. If unable to lie flat in this position, place a pillow under the chest and a folded towel under the forehead. Start slowly, some people can only accomplish prone lying at first for a minute or two. It's often helpful to do this posture training after a warm bath or shower or whenever the body is warmed up. The head may be positioned directly downward, resting on the hands, or turned to the left or right, or alternated during the course of twenty minutes.

The SAA also suggest that people should sleep on a firm bed and use a small folded towel instead of a pillow.

Diet

There are many specialised diets that claim to be effective in helping people with Ankylosing Spondylitis. None of these claims have been objectively verified. There are however some steps that can be taken to reduce the impact of AS:

• Vitamins. People with AS are at greater risk for osteoporosis (thinning of the bones). A diet that contains reasonable amounts of vitamins C and D will help reduce the risk of osteoporosis;
• Alcohol. The SAA site states that alcohol can weaken bones and that consuming more than two units of alcohol per day will weaken the bones and increase the risk of fracture. The site also points out that alcohol consumption can interfere with certain types of medication which can lead to gastrointestinal and kidney problems.

A diet containing plenty of fruit, vegetables and whole-grain products is best for promoting general health. People should try to reduce their intake of fat, cholestorol, sugar and salt.

Being overweight will add additional strain on the affected joints, it is really important to try to maintain the appropriate weight and this is best achieved by eating sensibly and regular exercise.

Smoking

Smoking is strongly discouraged as it can accelerate lung scarring and exacerbate breathing difficulties that are associated with AS.

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