What is Ankylosing Spondylitis Day?
Ankylosing spondylitis day is a global awareness day for ankylosing spondylitis (AS) that takes place on February 3rd every year. It is a day set aside to raise awareness about the disease, highlight the lived experience of those suffering from it, as well as advocate for better care and resources for the AS community.
Origins of Ankylosing Spondylitis Day
Ankylosing Spondylitis Day was established in 2021 through the efforts of patient advocacy and non-profit groups such as Spondylitis Association of America, Creaky Joints and the National Ankylosing Spondylitis Society (NASS).
The reason for choosing February 3rd as the AS awareness day is in honor of Sir Benjamin Collins Brodie, a prominent orthopedic surgeon who was born on this day in 1783. He published the first ever clinical description of AS in 1818, providing early medical validation for many suffering from the condition but unable to put a name to their pain and symptoms.
Goals of Ankylosing Spondylitis Awareness Day
Some of the key goals of Ankylosing Spondylitis Day include:
- Educating the general public about AS as an inflammatory arthritis disease.
- Advocating for policies and funding that make treatments accessible and affordable.
- Encouraging improved medical education on early diagnosis, care standards and outcomes.
- Reducing isolation and stigma experienced by people living with AS.
- Promoting research to better understand disease mechanisms and cures.
High profile support and activism around the day helps highlight that AS is a serious, lifelong condition that impacts quality of life and function if not properly managed.
Symptoms and Diagnosis of Ankylosing Spondylitis
As Ankylosing Spondylitis Day brings attention to the disease, it is important to understand what defines AS and who it impacts most. Some key facts about AS symptoms and diagnosis:
Common Symptoms
The hallmark symptoms of AS include:
- Lower back and sacroiliac joint pain and stiffness, typically worse in mornings
- Neck, chest and shoulder pain as inflammation spreads to upper spine
- Fatigue and lack of energy
- Eye inflammation (uveitis)
- Joint swelling or tendinitis, especially in hips, knees and ankles
Who Gets Ankylosing Spondylitis?
AS onset is often between ages 17 to 45 years old. Men are more frequently affected than women in a 2:1 ratio. The condition has a genetic association, with over 97% of AS patients carrying the biomarker HLA-B27. An estimated 0.5-1% of the global population suffers from ankylosing spondylitis.
Delays in Diagnosis
There are often significant delays between onset of symptoms and receiving an AS diagnosis, averaging 8-11 years. This is due in part to symptom overlap with more common back injuries or arthritis. Rheumatologists able to recognize subtle signs of sacroiliac inflammation provide the most reliable AS testing and diagnosis.
Living with Ankylosing Spondylitis
After an AS diagnosis, the focus shifts to disease management through medications, physical therapy, lifestyle factors and self care. Highlights of living well with the condition include:
Medications for Treating AS
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), corticosteroid injections and medications like tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors help relieve inflammation and pain associated with ankylosing spondylitis progression.
Physical Activity and Exercise
Low impact activities like walking, swimming and stretching preserve joint mobility and flexibility. High impact sports can aggravate joints. Yoga helps with strength, posture and breathing techniques.
Education and Self-Advocacy
Learning factors that trigger flares empowers patients to set boundaries around rest, stress management and avoiding inflammation triggers. Speaking openly about AS challenges also expands social support.
Ankylosing Spondylitis Support and Community
One of the most powerful tools for coping with AS is connecting patient communities. Support groups help provide emotional validation, practical advice on symptom management, resources and a reminder that patients are not alone in their struggle.
Online Forums and Social Media
Facebook support groups, Reddit threads like r/ankylosingspondylitis, and hashtags like #ankylosingspondylitis on Instagram enable 24/7 connectivity and sharing of AS experiences.
In-Person Support Groups
Local community meet-ups coordinated through organizations like Spondylitis Association of America foster face-to-face relationships between AS patients at all stages of diagnosis and disease progression.
Shared Stories and Art
Books like Unbroken by Laura Robinson along with spoken word performances and art exhibitions shine a light on the hidden emotional toll of living with chronic lower back pain and reduced mobility over decades.
Advancing Ankylosing Spondylitis Awareness
While the patient journey for someone with ankylosing spondylitis can often feel lonely and frustrating, global efforts like Ankylosing Spondylitis Day symbolize hope through education, empowerment and expanding support networks. Everyone can play a role in driving change through actions like:
- Sharing AS information on social media to boost public knowledge
- Displaying solidarity by wearing red socks or ribbons on February 3rd
- Donating time or resources to nonprofits serving the AS community
- Partnering with others impacted by rheumatic and chronic pain illnesses
- Reaching out to loved ones suffering from AS so they don’t feel isolated
Through compassion and community, the burden of living with an unpredictable condition like AS becomes lighter.
The Future Outlook for Ankylosing Spondylitis
Ongoing research provides plenty of hope for what the future looks like for AS patients. Some active areas scientists are exploring for improved patient quality of life include:
- Early diagnosis - identifying those genetically predisposed before joint damage
- Advanced therapies - using stem cell injections to repair inflamed tissues
- Prevention - modifying microbiome balance to prevent triggering autoimmune responses
- Pain relief - exploring nerve stimulation implants and other devices
- Exercise therapies - perfecting gentle, restorative fitness approaches
While some loss of physical function over time may be unavoidable, the future is bright in terms of reducing suffering and maintaining purposeful living with AS.
FAQs
When is Ankylosing Spondylitis Day?
Ankylosing Spondylitis Day is observed annually on February 3rd to honor the British surgeon Sir Benjamin Collins Brodie and raise awareness of the inflammatory arthritis condition he helped characterize in 1818.
How can I support someone with ankylosing spondylitis?
You can support AS patients by learning about their challenges, offering help during flares, connecting them with community resources, making adaptations to ease tasks, and reminding them they are not defined solely by pain or disability.
What causes ankylosing spondylitis?
The exact cause of ankylosing spondylitis is unknown but believed to involve a combination of genetic susceptibility (HLA-B27 gene), immune dysfunction, inflammation triggering bacteria, and possible environmental factors that activate the condition.
What helps reduce stiffness from ankylosing spondylitis?
Gentle stretching, heat therapy, massage, warm showers, medication, low-impact exercise, good sleep hygiene, stress management, and spinal braces can all help minimize stiffness caused by inflammation of spinal joints in AS patients.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
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