Spondyloarthritis affects the spine of an individual and in some cases, it even impacts the joints of arms and legs. It can even spread up to skin, intestines and eyes, sometimes. The most common and main symptom felt in most patients is low back pain. This occurs usually in axial spondyloarthritis.
Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS)
AS is a chronic, systemic, inflammatory disease of the joints and ligaments of the spine, which leads to pain and stiffness in the spine. It can even be mild or severe. It usually starts at late adolescence to early adulthood. Mostly it tends to start in the teens and 20s and strikes males more by 2-3 times than females.
The cause of AS is not yet proven but for general understanding it is said that due to some genetic components & complications it occurs.
In the beginning there is pain and stiffness in the buttocks and low back due to sacroiliac joint involvement. With time the symptoms can spread up the spine to affecting the lower back, chest and even neck. Its diagnose is usually suspected by the doctor based on the signs and symptoms. A medical history and complete examination becomes the base.
There is no proven or set treatment of AS. Usually Doctors aim at reducing the pain and stiffness and smoothen the body movement
Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a chronic skin disorder that leads to thick, pink to red, itchy areas on skin with a whitish or silvery covering in the form of scales. These rashes appear on the scalp, elbows, knees, lower back, but can spread anywhere on the body.
Psoriasis usually begin as small red bumps that grow and on the top are the scale formations. Besides rashes there can be Itching, Dry and cracked skin, Scaly scalp, etc. Its treatment is selected as per the seriousness and spread of the rash.
Psoriatic Arthritis
Psoriatic arthritis is a type of inflammatory arthritis and usually 30 percent of people with psoriasis hold chances of developing psoriatic arthritis. Both these diseases are chronic autoimmune diseases.
There is no single test to diagnose PA. Doctors suspect as per the symptoms and diagnose is made as per patient’s medical history and medical examination.
Reactive Arthritis (ReA)
Reactive arthritis leads to non-infectious inflammation of one or several joints. It can range from being self-limited, relapsing or even chronic. ReA can even spread upto causing genital tract or bowel infection which is usually unidentified. It occurs most commonly in men and Caucasians. Occurrence of ReA is very rare after the age of 50.
Enteropathic Arthritis
EA is peripheral joint, or spine disease linked to IBD the inflammatory bowel disease. It is seen in up to 10 -20% of those suffering with IBD. It is more common in juveniles and young adults. The cause of it is still unknown.
This arthritis typically occurs after the bowel disease is chronic. There is pain and swelling in one or more joints. The arthritis may mirror the activity of the bowel disease.
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