K.N.O.W. Home Health - ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS

ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS

What Is Ankylosing Spondylitis?

Ankylosing Spondylitis (say: ANK-ee-lo-sing SPON-duh-LIE-tis) is a long-term disease that mostly affects the spine and lower back. It causes pain, stiffness, and swelling in the joints. Over time, the bones in the spine can grow together. This makes it harder to move and bend.

What Causes Ankylosing Spondylitis?

Doctors aren’t exactly sure what causes it, but it seems to run in families. A gene called HLA-B27 is found in many people who have this disease. Ankylosing Spondylitis is not caused by an injury, and you cannot catch it from someone else.

Who Can Get It?

Anyone can get it, but it is more common in:

Young adults (usually before age 40)
Males more than females
People with a family history of the disease

Signs and Symptoms

You may have:

Pain and stiffness in your lower back, hips, or buttocks (especially in the morning or after sitting)
Tiredness or low energy
Pain that gets better with movement
Trouble standing up straight
Eye pain or redness (sometimes)

How Can Symptoms Be Reduced?

There is no cure, but symptoms can be managed with:

Exercise: Gentle stretching and staying active help keep your back flexible
Medicines: Anti-inflammatory drugs (like ibuprofen) and others can help reduce pain and swelling
Good posture: Standing up straight helps your spine stay in a better position
Physical therapy: A trained therapist can show you safe exercises
Quit smoking: Smoking makes symptoms worse
Heat or cold packs: These can help ease pain and stiffness

When to Call the Home Health Nurse

Call your home health nurse if:

Pain is getting worse even with medicine
You are having more trouble moving around
You feel weak or very tired all the time
You notice new swelling in your joints
You have red or painful eyes
You need help understanding your medicines or exercises

When to Call or Go to the Emergency Room (ER)

Call 911 or go to the ER if:

You suddenly can’t move part of your body
You have chest pain or trouble breathing
You lose control of your bladder or bowels
Your eyes hurt badly or you suddenly lose vision
You fall and hit your head or spine

Living with Ankylosing Spondylitis

Learn about your condition
Keep up with doctor and therapy visits
Take your medicine as prescribed
Stay active and keep moving every day

PATIENT HOMEWORK/ASSESSMENT

Choose True or False for each one:

True or False: Ankylosing Spondylitis is a kind of back pain that goes away in a few days.
True or False: AS can make your spine stiff and hard to move.
True or False: Only people over 60 get Ankylosing Spondylitis.
True or False: AS is caused by a virus you can catch from someone.
True or False: Exercise and stretching can help reduce stiffness in AS.
True or False: AS is more common in men than women.
True or False: You should stop all movement and rest completely if you have AS.
True or False: Smoking can make Ankylosing Spondylitis worse.
True or False: AS can sometimes cause eye problems.
True or False: Heat packs may help relieve stiffness and pain.
True or False: You should call 911 if you suddenly can’t move your legs.
True or False: The home health nurse can help you understand your medicine and exercises.
True or False: People with AS should try to keep good posture.
True or False: It’s safe to ignore sudden chest pain if you have AS.
True or False: Taking your medicine only when you feel bad is the best way to manage AS.
True or False: The HLA-B27 gene is linked to Ankylosing Spondylitis.
True or False: You should go to the ER if you suddenly lose control of your bladder or bowels.
True or False: Physical therapy is not helpful for people with AS.
True or False: Pain from AS often gets better with movement.
True or False: Learning about your disease helps you manage it better.

ASSESSMENT of WELL-BEING INDIVIDUALIZED PATIENT HOMEWORK

Mobility & Function:
“Have you noticed any changes in your ability to bend, twist, or perform your daily activities because of stiffness in your back or hips?”
Pain & Stiffness:
“When during the day do you feel the most back pain or stiffness, and what helps you relieve it?”
Exercise & Lifestyle:
“What kinds of stretching or physical activities are you currently doing to help keep your joints flexible?”
Monitoring & Awareness:
“Do you understand the importance of reporting new symptoms, like chest pain, difficulty breathing, or sudden changes in posture, to your healthcare provider right away?”