Ankylosing spondylitis, or AS, is one of the many forms of arthritis. It is an inflammation of the ligaments, tendons and other tissue surrounding the spine. While the low back is the most common site for symptoms, this disease can affect other areas of the body as well. This condition can be mild or disabling. In some cases the vertebra of the spine can fuse. Ankylosing spondylitis symptoms in women can differ from men slightly. However, the disease can be just as severe in women. Since the symptoms can vary for men and women, learning to recognize the signs will help you to work with your doctor to get an accurate diagnosis.
Low Back and Neck Pain
According to the Spondylitis Association of America, ankylosing spondylitis usually begins with pain in the low back, hips and/or buttocks. It is usually a dull pain that may be intermittent at first and then gets progressively worse over months or years. You may find that your pain is worse in the morning and after being sedentary. This disease can start off this way for women as well. In women, pain may also be the first warning sign, but the pain may start in the neck area instead of the low back.
Body Aches
Ankylosing spondylitis can also cause pain in other areas of the body such as the hands, feet, ankles, heels and knees. For some women the condition may closely resemble fibromyalgia or general rheumatoid arthritis. This means that a woman may ache all over, versus having pain that is just in the low back or hips. In addition, AS symptoms can be milder in women and the disease may progress more slowly than it does in men. Because of this, the Arthritis Foundation claims that more women may have this condition than we know of, because it can go undiagnosed.
Stiffness/Difficult Pregnancy
Both women and men who have AS may experience stiffness in the back and affected joints that is worse in the morning. The stiffness is usually relieved with a hot shower or gentle movement. In some women the condition never gets any worse, while in others, the stiffness can cause of loss of mobility and independence. However, if this disease affects a women during child-bearing years, pregnancy may be challenging. The pain and stiffness of this condition may become more severe during pregnancy. In addition, if spinal fusion occurs and restricts range of motion, delivery may be more difficult.
General Symptoms
There are some common general symptoms that both men and women may experience. This includes a mild fever, loss of appetite and fatigue. The structural changes to the spine can place pressure on the nerves that control digestion. This can lead to irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn's disease or other bowel abnormalities. In some cases, there may be inflammation of the eyes or heart. If the stiffness is severe, the ribs may be restricted, making deep breathing difficult.
