Understanding Spondyloarthritis
Persistant back pain and stiffness are often dismissed as everyday aches but they can sometimes signal an underlying inflammatory condition. In this interview Dr. Anura Caldera speaks to Zanita Careem about spondyloarthritis, shedding light on the causes, symptoms and the importance of recognising the condition early. If you follow the health articles, you may recall […]
Persistent back pain and stiffness are often dismissed as regular aches, but they may signal an underlying inflammatory condition called spondyloarthritis. This chronic inflammatory disease can affect the spine, peripheral joints, muscle attachments, and various organs such as the eyes, skin, heart, and digestive tract. Dr. Anura Caldera, a Consultant Rheumatologist, explains that many people try to cope with back pain, but not all is due to everyday causes.
Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are crucial for improving a person's quality of life and life expectancy, as the condition can lead to severe complications if left untreated. Spondyloarthritis is broadly divided into axial and peripheral forms. Axial spondyloarthritis primarily affects the spine and sacroiliac joints, while peripheral spondyloarthritis impacts joints and other areas away from the spine.
Diagnosis can be challenging, as back pain is common and may initially be attributed to other causes. People may present late for treatment due to misleading advice from quacks. Specific treatment is essential to control inflammation, relieve symptoms, maintain mobility, and reduce the risk of complications in other organs.
Written by urgent.news from The Island Sri Lanka's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
