Yes, dizziness can be a symptom of ankylosing spondylitis (AS), often linked to inflammation affecting the heart (causing shortness of breath, fatigue) or balance issues from spinal changes, stiffness, vision problems, or inner ear dysfunction, so it's important to discuss dizziness with your doctor to find the underlying cause.
4 These are tests used to assess the inner ear function of balance. In the study, people with ankylosing spondylitis were found to have lower than normal vestibular system functioning. This is known to cause vertigo, dizziness, and trouble with balance.
NSAIDs are the most commonly prescribed drugs for a disease similar to AS called nonradiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA). Both prescription and over-the-counter NSAIDs appear safe up to 20 weeks of pregnancy, but may cause serious kidney problems in a fetus if taken longer.
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a type of inflammatory arthritis often associated with lower back pain or stiffness and pain in the hips. The condition can cause widespread inflammation throughout the body, which can lead to other issues that can lead to vertigo.
Here are some of the common reasons why back pain might be associated with dizziness:
Chronic inflammation in conditions such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis can disrupt the production of red blood cells, resulting in anemia. This compromises oxygenation of the brain and muscles, causing dizziness or overall weakness.
Stage 4 ankylosing spondylitis (AS) typically involves complications such as reduced mobility, bone fusion, and an increased risk of fractures, significantly affecting a person's ability to function. Stage 4 AS treatment may involve physical therapy, medication, and lifestyle adjustments.
July 18, 2025
A new peer-reviewed study published in Arthritis & Rheumatology suggests that ivarmacitinib, a new medication known as a selective JAK1 inhibitor, may be a promising treatment for people with active ankylosing spondylitis (AS). The study was a randomized, double-blind clinical trial.
The vast majority of women with ankylosing spondylitis can expect to have the same rate of fertility, course of pregnancy and birth, and to give birth to normal healthy babies to the same extent as the normal female population. The chance for the offspring to contract AS later in life is somewhat increased.
HUMIRA Dosing for Ankylosing Spondylitis
The recommended dose is 40 mg every other week. Always follow your doctor's instructions about when and how often to take HUMIRA. HUMIRA is given by an injection under the skin. Your first dose of HUMIRA must be given under the supervision of a health care professional.
Between 5 and 10% of cases of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) are associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), either Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. A much larger percentage of AS patients have subclinical gut inflammation manifested either by endoscopic findings or by histology.
After a positive test, your doctor may suggest regular monitoring, even if you feel well. According to Verywell Health, recurring inflammation in the spine and sacroiliac joints is often linked to HLA-B27 positivity. This inflammation can cause low back pain and stiffness.
Management and Treatment
If you are dizzy right now and have any of the following neurological symptoms along with your dizziness or vertigo, call 911 immediately: New confusion or trouble speaking or understanding speech. New slurred speech or hoarseness of voice. New numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg.
Menière's Disease. Menière's disease (MD) is a clinical disorder defined as the idiopathic syndrome of endolymphatic hydrops and characterized by a triad of fluctuating vertigo, tinnitus, and sensorineural hearing loss (with aural fullness).
The most commonly used drugs are TNF-α inhibitors, including infliximab and cetuzumab. In fact, the use of TNF-α inhibitors can often improve the symptoms when the effect of NSAIDs are far from satisfactory.
For long-term treatment, biologics are generally considered safer than prolonged steroid use. While steroids work quickly to reduce inflammation, they can cause serious side effects when used long-term, including: Bone loss and increased fracture risk. Weight gain and swelling.
Illness and death
According to his father, Biden was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis in 2001 after returning from service in Kosovo.
Key takeaways
HLA-B27 positivity alone is not life‑threatening. Most carriers never develop disease, but it increases risk for inflammatory conditions (e.g., ankylosing spondylitis, uveitis) that can cause chronic pain, functional problems, and rare complications if untreated. Early diagnosis and treatment lower risks.
Cauda equina type of syndrome with neuropathic bladder is a rare but known complication of long-standing ankylosing spondylitis.
Importantly, the dizziness needs to be coupled with some sort of neck pain or neck movement. Indeed, certain neck movements bring about the dizziness or vertigo. On the other hand, if dizziness ever occurs without neck pain or neck movement, the person likely does not have cervical vertigo.
Here are some unusual symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis to look out for:
What causes dizziness?