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Can ankylosing spondylitis be treated without medication?
Although most people require some type of medical therapy for AS, natural remedies may also help reduce symptoms. Not all natural remedies and alternative treatments are right for everyone with AS. Some people may have success with yoga and acupuncture. Others may feel better using cold therapy and massage.
What kind of doctor can diagnosis ankylosing spondylitis?
When it’s time to see a specialist for ankylosing spondylitis (AS), you’ll make an appointment with a rheumatologist. A rheumatologist is a doctor who focuses on diseases that affect your joints, muscles, and bones.
Is ankylosing spondylitis genetic?
Ankylosing spondylitis has no known specific cause, though genetic factors seem to be involved. In particular, people who have a gene called HLA-B27 are at a greatly increased risk of developing ankylosing spondylitis. However, only some people with the gene develop the condition.
What does HLA-B27 positive mean?
A positive test means HLA-B27 is present. It suggests a greater-than-average risk for developing or having certain autoimmune disorders. An autoimmune disorder is a condition that occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys healthy body tissue.
Is HLA-B27 inherited from parents?
AS can run in families, and the HLA-B27 gene can be inherited from another family member. If you have AS and tests show you carry the HLA-B27 gene then there is a 1 in 2 chance that you could pass on the gene to any children you have.
Is ankylosing spondylitis congenital?
Although ankylosing spondylitis can occur in more than one person in a family, it is not a purely genetic disease. Multiple genetic and environmental factors likely play a part in determining the risk of developing this disorder.
What type of autoimmune disease is ankylosing spondylitis?
Ankylosing spondylitis is both an autoimmune type of arthritis and a chronic inflammatory disease. An autoimmune disease develops when your body attacks its own healthy tissues. Ankylosing spondylitis is also an inflammatory condition that involves inflamed or swollen joints.
How is HLA-B27 inherited?