Yes, sweating, especially night sweats, can be a symptom of ankylosing spondylitis (AS), often occurring during more severe disease flares along with fever, hot joints, and fatigue, indicating increased inflammation. While it's a recognized symptom, particularly in generalized flares, doctors recommend consulting a healthcare provider to rule out infections when experiencing fever, sweating, and back pain.
Disease flares were defined as either minor/localized flares (pain/swelling localized to one area with fatigue and stiffness) or major/generalized flares (generalized pain, hot burning joints, muscle spasm, fever, sweating, extreme fatigue and stiffness).
In the early stages of the disease, some people may also feel generally unwell and may suffer from lack of sleep because of pain early in the morning. Weight loss may occur especially in the early stages and some people may feel feverish and experience night sweats.
According to these studies, a typical AS flare is characterized by increased back pain that may be stabbing in nature or feel like muscle cramps. Symptoms can be local or more generalized.
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.
Key takeaways
Early symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis might include back pain and stiffness, especially in the lower back and hips. These symptoms may be worse in the morning or after periods of inactivity. Neck pain and fatigue also are common. Other symptoms include vision changes or eye pain, skin rashes and stomach pain.
Seronegative inflammatory spondyloarthropathies such as psoriatic arthritis, reactive arthritis, noninflammatory spondyloarthropathies such as diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis, and ochronotic arthritis resulting from alkaptonuria can affect the axial skeleton and present with symptoms similar those of ...
Ankylosing spondylitis is a type of arthritis that causes inflammation in the joints and ligaments of the spine. It may also affect peripheral joints like the knees, ankles, and hips. Normally, the joints and ligaments in the spine help us move and bend.
Excessive sweating is a common symptom of autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, vasculitis, and lupus. Those with lupus are at higher risk of additional autoimmune diseases.
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.
Medical conditions that cause sweating
Hyperhidrosis (generalized) could be a sign of an underlying medical condition including but not limited to: Acromegaly. An infection (tuberculosis). Anxiety. Cancer.
Certain problems such as diabetes, heart failure, anxiety, and overactive thyroid can cause heavy sweating. And some drugs may cause heavy sweating as a side effect.
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic, inflammatory disease primarily affecting the axial spine that can manifest with a range of clinical signs and symptoms. The hallmark features of the condition include chronic back pain and progressive spinal stiffness.
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.
A diagnosis of AS can usually be confirmed if an X-ray shows inflammation of the sacroiliac joints (sacroiliitis) and you have at least 1 of the following: at least 3 months of lower back pain that gets better with exercise and doesn't improve with rest.
Testing for HLA-B27 may be carried out if AS is suspected. However, this test is not a very reliable method of diagnosing AS because some people can have the HLA-B27 gene variant but not have the condition, and some people can have the condition but do not have the gene variant.
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.
AS usually first starts to develop between 18 and 40 years of age.
Ankylosing spondylitis is a type of inflammatory arthritis. Fibromyalgia is a disease of widespread musculoskeletal pain that is thought to related to be how the brain processes pain.
Without appropriate treatment, inflammation damages the spine, leading to a loss of flexibility. As a result, a person will have increasing difficulty moving their spine. In severe cases, the chronic inflammation triggers extra bone formation between the vertebrae.
Ankylosing spondylitis is more severe than other forms of arthritis because it primarily affects the spine and sacroiliac joints, leading to significant pain, stiffness, and limited mobility. Unlike rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis, AS causes chronic inflammation and long-term joint damage.
Neurological complications and symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis
Ankylosing Spondylitis: Steps To Prevent It From Getting Worse