Yes, ankylosing spondylitis (AS) can make it hard to breathe because inflammation and fusion can stiffen the rib cage joints, limiting lung expansion, leading to shortness of breath and chest pain, but deep breathing exercises and physical therapy can help maintain lung capacity.
Stiffness or trouble moving your hips and lower back (especially first thing in the morning or after you've been resting in one position for a long time). Fatigue (feeling tired all the time). Shortness of breath (dyspnea). Losing your appetite or having unexplained weight loss.
Chest pain cervical spondylosis
It causes pain in the neck, chest, shoulders and upper limbs and shortness of breath. Chest pain due to cervical spondylosis might seem like a heart attack and produce pain in the upper limbs, shoulders and chest.
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.
If the joints in the chest around the rib cage also become stiff, the stiffness can limit how much the lungs can expand and make deep breathing more difficult. Other possible complications include: Eye inflammation, called uveitis. Uveitis is one of the most common complications of ankylosing spondylitis.
People with ankylosing spondylitis may also experience chest tightness and heavy breathing due to pulmonary fibrosis (lung scarring) or inflammation in the ribs, which prevents the rib cage from expanding as much as it normally does during breathing.
Goodpasture syndrome is a rare autoimmune disorder that affects both the lungs and kidneys. The immune system typically makes antibodies to fight off infection. But with Goodpasture syndrome, the immune system mistakenly makes antibodies that attack the lungs and kidneys.
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.
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.
AS is a type of inflammatory arthritis that causes chronic pain and stiffness in the back and neck. These symptoms can temporarily flare up. Flare-up triggers include physical inactivity, poor posture, eating inflammatory foods, and smoking.
Spinal misalignment can cause shortness of breath due to several different reasons, including: Forward head posture: The neck is responsible for the position and movement of the upper ribs, which lift when you breathe in. It also contains the nerves that control the diaphragm.
In a seated or standing position, reach up and out with one arm as far as is comfortable, bending your elbow as much as needed, as you breathe in deeply. Then, exhale quickly as you pull your arm down toward your chest, imagining that you're pulling down on a rope.
The most common symptom is neck pain, but in extreme cases cervical spondylosis can begin to affect the nerves of the spinal cord, sometimes affecting breathing.
Corticosteroids. Corticosteroids have a powerful anti-inflammatory effect and can be taken as injections by people with AS. If a particular joint is inflamed, corticosteroids can be injected directly into the joint. You'll need to rest the joint for up to 48 hours after the injection.
Background: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a rheumatic inflammatory disease with unknown etiology, and fatigue is one of the main systemic symptoms of AS. The aim of the current study was to explore the mechanism of AS-associated fatigue (ASF) from multiple aspects, including neuropsychological changes.
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.
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.
Illness and death
According to his father, Biden was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis in 2001 after returning from service in Kosovo.
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.
With modern treatments, AS does not normally affect life expectancy significantly, although the condition is associated with an increased risk of other potentially life-threatening problems. For example, AS can lead to: weakening of the bones (osteoporosis) spinal fractures.
Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a category of conditions that cause inflammation and scarring in the lungs. This can lead to difficulty breathing and, eventually, heart failure. Autoimmune ILD is a specific type caused by autoimmune disorders such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and more.
PET/CT is useful in detecting and differentiating inflammation and malignancy in patients with systemic autoimmune disease. Frequent false-positive interpretations can be minimized by consideration of FDG uptake in bone marrow and spleen.
The "worst" autoimmune diseases are subjective but often cited for severity, impact on life expectancy, or organ damage, with top contenders including Giant Cell Myocarditis (highly fatal), Vasculitis (damages blood vessels), Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (Lupus) (multi-organ), Multiple Sclerosis (MS) (nervous system), and Type 1 Diabetes (pancreas, life-long management). Other severe conditions include Scleroderma and Myasthenia Gravis.