Ankylosing spondylitis
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a long-term (chronic) condition in which the spine and other areas of the body become inflamed. AS tends to first develop in teenagers and young adults. It's also around three times more common in men than in women.
The symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) can vary from person to person, but usually develop slowly over several months or years. The symptoms may come and go, and improve or get worse, over many years.
In ankylosing spondylitis (AS) several parts of the lower spine become inflamed, including the bones in the spine (vertebrae) and spinal joints.
Read about diagnosing ankylosing spondylitis (AS). AS can be difficult to diagnose because the condition develops slowly and there's no definitive test.
There's no cure for ankylosing spondylitis (AS), but treatment is available to help relieve the symptoms. Treatment can also help delay or prevent the process of the spine joining up (fusing) and stiffening .
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a complex condition that can affect many parts of your body. It can cause complications in your day-to-day life and lead to additional health conditions.