Ankylosing spondylitis

Ankylosing spondylitis is a rare type of arthritis that causes pain and stiffness in the spine. It is an autoimmune type of arthritis. Autoimmune disease develops when your body attacks its own healthy tissues. Ankylosing spondylitis is also an inflammatory condition that involves inflamed or swollen joints.There’s no cure for but medication and exercise can ease pain and help keep your back strong.

1. Pain and stiffness in your lower back and hips, especially in the morning and after periods of inactivity
2. Neck pain
3. Poor posture or stooped shoulders
4. Loss of appetite
5. Low-grade fever
6. Weight loss
7. Fatigue 
8. Eye inflammation (uveitis)
9. Compression fractures
10. Heart problems - Ankylosing spondylitis can cause problems with your aorta, the largest artery in your body
11. Anemia
12. Reduced lung function
13. Crohn's disease 

According to Ayurveda three elements present in our body are vata, pitta and kapha which should be in balance. Ankylosing Spondylitis falls under the broader perspective of 'Ama Vata' (Inflammatory or Rheumatic disorders). It is primarily because of the imbalance of Vata and Kapha Doshas but sometimes can be because of the imbalance of three elements as well.

Ankylosing spondylitis has no known specific cause. 

Predisposing factors: 

• Heredity. Most people who have ankylosing spondylitis have the HLA-B27 gene.
• Eating food before the previous meal is digested
• Untimely food habits
• Incompatible food like having milk and fruits together
• Sleep disturbances
• Stress
• Sedentary lifestyle - leading to low metabolism and weakened digestive system.

Treatment protocol aims at :

1. Relief from pain, stiffness and fatigue make the patient able for day to day activities.
2. Prevent progression of disease.
3. Rejuvenate the whole body and improve overall health of the body.

The first line of treatment should always be avoiding the causative factors. If the problem persists then consider the following treatment protocol

• Pain swelling and stiffness in low back, hip and neck - Inflammation in the joints produce pain and swelling. Guggulu, Gokshura, Simhanada guggulu will help to reduce the inflammation in the joints. Rasna, Trayodashang guggulu will help to  improve the joint function and support the joints. Gokshura and Eranda will help to manage the pain and Ashwagandha for muscle and joint strengthening and manage weight loss also.
• Poor posture or stooped shoulders.- As ankylosing spondylitis worsens, new bone forms as part of the body's attempt to heal. The new bone gradually bridges the gap between vertebrae and eventually fuses sections of vertebrae together. Fused vertebrae can flatten the natural curves of your spine and force it into an inflexible, hunched posture.

• Fever and Lack of appetite, inflammation  in eye, Heart problems, Crohn's disease , Reduced lung function  - Over response of the immune system attacks multiple systems in our body including intestinal wall, lungs, heart and eye causing inflammation and damage in the tissues. Shunthi, Guduchi  are effective in cleansing the channels of the body and boosting immunity.

Other therapies - Virechana/Purgation therapy (cleaning digestive tract and purifies blood), Vasti (enema) to reduce inflammation and cleanse the system, Lepa (type of therapy wherein paste of drug is applied to the affected part)

Guggulu, Gokshura, Simhanada guggulu, Rasna, Trayodashang guggulu, Shunthi, Guduchi   ,Eranda, Ashwagandha