Ankylosing Spondylitis
Your back might feel stiff and sore, leaving you to hope it'll just vanish on its own. However, as the months roll by, not only does the stiffness and pain worsen, but fatigue also sets in.
Imagine this: your spouse insists you see a doctor. You're reluctant; perhaps it's due to a busy schedule or a dislike for clinical settings. Yet, you decide to go, hoping to put her worries to rest.
The doctor, after careful examination, notes inflammation in some of your vertebrae. He breaks it down: this inflammation is drawing energy from your body, which is causing your fatigue. Your condition gets a name – Arthritis of the spine, or A.S. The next words out of his mouth aren't reassuring – the causes of A.S. are yet unknown, there's no cure, and it's only going to progressively get worse.
Your emotions teeter between upset and shock. An impending question hangs over you: "Where will I be, health-wise, a decade or two from now?"
Although your doctor might suggest exercises for temporary relief, the underlying issue won't just disappear until the root cause is addressed.
A predominant cause of A.S. is a profound self-depreciation stemming from feelings of failure, especially related to supporting oneself or one's family. It's like a weight; an overwhelming responsibility, more than you feel you can handle.
There's chatter about A.S. having a familial link. Interestingly, attitudes are also believed to be inheritable. Perhaps, the attitudes fostering A.S. could be traced back to your grandparents or even ancestors further back.
It's essential to understand A.S. as a healing phase syndrome. Breaking this cycle entails an initial spike in pain and inflammation. But, with successful conflict resolution, this condition can subside within a few weeks.
Should bone deformities persist and cause discomfort, surgical removal is an option.
Finally, always remember, for every ailment, there's a route back home to wellness. But that journey begins with understanding and awareness.