Ankylosing spondylitis (AS), a rheumatic inflammatory disease primarily affecting the spine and sacroiliac joints, is also called "Morbus Bechterew" in some European countries. You will find this popular name of the disease in the name of some European AS societies.
AS strikes young people, typically between ages 20 and 30.
AS often goes undiagnosed: From the time symptoms first occur to securing a correct diagnosis takes, on average, approximately 10 years.
AS is thought to affect men three to four times more often than it does women.
AS is often accompanied by iritis (painful inflammation of the eyes).
AS is often misdiagnosed as "just a back pain"
Because it is difficult to diagnose in its early stages, AS is considered the most overlooked cause of persistent back pain in young adults.
AS causes pain and spinal stiffness, and in severe cases, the spine fuses solidly in a forward-stooped posture.
AS can also damage other joints such as the hips and shoulder as well as other organs of the body including eyes, heart and lungs.
I suffer from the desease Ankylosing Spondolytis, posh name isn't it? well it isn't a funny thing at all, but a desease one's have to learn how to live with.
For about 10 years I was living with the pain, without knowing why it was like this, the doctors I had at that time, didn't take me seriously, but thanks to my Kiropractor (Mr. Jesper Overvad, AArhus), the desease was discovered, and actions to soothe the pain and delay the stiffness could be taken, and I now have a doctor with several years of experience in reumatoric deseases.
I suppose my job isn't the best to "fit" the desease, but I like my job, and I take it as a challenge, It gives me a kick to do what all my "normal" colleages do.
