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Showing posts with the label ankylosing spondylitis

How Losing Some Weight Helps Arthritis

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Despite all the advances in modern medicine, there is still no cure for diseases such as arthritis. While it may not be as fatal as cancer, or as contagious as HIV, arthritis is a very painful condition that can significantly reduce the quality of life of most patients. One of the much-touted ways of lessening arthritis pain is controlled weight loss. This is even more important, considering that up to two-thirds of all adults with arthritis are obese, or overweight. When we talk about weight loss, you probably think about going to the gym 4-5 days a week. However, research shows that dieting - an oft-forgotten but crucial component of weight loss programs - will help you reduce weight faster on its own compared to exercising. That being said, you can achieve even better results by combining healthy nutrition and regular physical activity. Here's how a lower body weight will help with your arthritis: Reduces Pressure on Joints Studies show that for obese adults suffer...

What is Ankylosing Spondylitis?

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Ankylosing spondylitis is an inflammatory disease that gradually causes some parts of the vertebrae to fuse. If left untreated, the disease can spread to the ribs and other parts of the spine, making them rigid. Consequently, the inflexibility of the spine causes a stooped posture, and the patient may have difficulty breathing. Notably, various statistics suggest that men are more vulnerable to developing the disease than women. The reason for this revolves around the physical nature of the jobs most men indulge in. Symptoms of Ankylosing Spondylitis The signs of Ankylosing spondylitis normally begin to manifest themselves in early adulthood. The most common symptoms include back and neck pain, stiffness in the lower back or hips, and fatigue.  Moreover, most symptoms appear early in the morning, and after long periods of inactivity. These symptoms may either worsen or improve over time, depending on the severity of the disease.  In some cases, the symptoms may...