Ankylosing Spondylitis MedicationsMedical Author:
Catherine Burt Driver, MD
Catherine Burt Driver, MDCatherine Burt Driver, MD, is board certified in internal medicine and rheumatology by the American Board of Internal Medicine. Dr. Driver is a member of the American College of Rheumatology. She currently is in active practice in the field of rheumatology in Mission Viejo, Calif., where she is a partner in Mission Internal Medical Group. Medical Editor:
William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR
William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACRDr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology. Medical Editor:
Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor
Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical EditorMelissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.
Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)Drugs in this class include diclofenac (Cataflam, Voltaren), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), ketoprofen (Orudis), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), piroxicam (Feldene), etodolac (Lodine), indomethacin (Indocin), oxaprozin (Daypro), nabumetone (Relafen), and meloxicam (Mobic). How NSAIDs work: NSAIDs prevent the body from producing prostaglandins, which have been identified as a cause of pain and inflammation. NSAIDs prevent this by inhibiting the cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes that are important in the formation of prostaglandins by cells. Several types of anti-inflammatory agents exist. Doctors recommend NSAIDs as the first type of medicine to try after they initially diagnose ankylosing spondylitis. Some of these drugs may be purchased without a prescription. Learn more about NSAIDs as ankylosing spondylitis medications Ankylosing Spondylitis OverviewAnkylosing spondylitis (AS) is a type of arthritis that involves the spine, sacroiliac joints, and other joints such as the hips and shoulders. It is in a category of arthritis called spondyloarthropathy. Other spondyloarthropathies include reactive arthritis and psoriatic arthritis. Men develop ankylosing spondylitis three times more often than women do. People with ankylosing spondylitis develop the disease prior to age 45. Symptoms include the following:
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Ankylosing Spondylitis Medications
Ankylosing Spondylitis, Neurologic Perspective »
AS Neurologic Overview
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a long-term disease process that affects the axial joints near the midline, especially the spine and sacroiliac joints (the joints located at the lowest end of the spine, called the sacrum and the pelvis). AS causes eventual fusion of the spine. Peripheral joints, such as the hips and knees, may be involved; the arms are almost never involved.
The primary disease process involves inflammation where the ligaments and tendons insert into the bones. The disorder predominantly affects the bones, causing rigidity of the spine. It may also involve the hips, knees, and occasionally the small joints of the feet. Inflammation of the connective tissue of the undersurface of the foot (plantar fasciitis) may also occur.
Nonskeletal problems associated with AS may include inflammation of the iris or uvea (the layer of the eye below the white of the eye), and less commonly inflammation of the aorta, pulmonary fibro...
Read the Ankylosing Spondylitis, Neurologic Perspective article »
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Ankylosing Spondylitis and Undifferentiated Spondyloarthropathy »
The spondyloarthropathies (SpAs) are a family of related disorders that includes ankylosing spondylitis (AS), reactive arthritis (ReA; also known as Reiter syndrome [RS]), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), spondyloarthropathy associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), undifferentiated spondyloarthropathy (USpA), and, possibly, Whipple disease and Behçet disease.
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