Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) most commonly starts with inflammation in the sacroiliac joints, where the base of your spine (sacrum) connects to your pelvis, causing lower back pain and stiffness, often worse at night or after rest and improving with exercise, though it can also affect the neck, hips, shoulders, and where tendons attach to bones (enthesitis).
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.
Pain and stiffness can make it hard to expand the rib cage, leading to breathing problems. Overall management of the disease with medication, along with physical therapy and breathing exercises, can help lessen ankylosing spondylitis symptoms in your ribs.
Common bowel problems with ankylosing spondylitis
Some common GI symptoms you may experience related to ankylosing spondylitis include: Diarrhea. Bloating.
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.
Any exercise that requires you to twist your spine too much or that stresses your back and spine could cause problems, according to Versus Arthritis. Carefully consider high-impact exercises, such as running, or jarring and twisting sports, such as tennis, squash, and racquetball.
“One thing that will help ankylosing spondylitis or any arthritis symptoms is to maintain a healthy weight,” Dr. Kadanoff says. “Carrying too much weight will put extra strain on inflamed joints in your back, hips, and knees.”
When to Seek Medical Help
Given the role of vitamin D in promoting bone health and its anti-inflammatory properties, people with spondylitis might benefit from taking a vitamin D supplement.
SIMPONI® is a TNF blocker injection taken under the skin once a month for adults with active ankylosing spondylitis.
Back pain and stiffness are usually the main symptoms of AS. You may find: the pain gets better with exercise, but does not improve or gets worse with rest. the pain and stiffness is worse in the morning and at night – you may wake up regularly during the night because of the pain.
Illness and death
According to his father, Biden was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis in 2001 after returning from service in Kosovo.
Symptoms Of Inflammatory Back Pain:
One of the primary symptoms you might be experiencing is persistent pain in your lower back. This lower back pain often feels worse in the morning or after periods of inactivity, potentially disrupting your sleep and making it difficult to get moving at the beginning of your day.
10 Medical Symptoms You Should Never Ignore
AS is characterized by the involvement of the spine and sacroiliac (SI) joints and peripheral joints, digits, and entheses. AS often leads to impaired spinal mobility and can result in postural abnormalities. Patients can also experience buttock pain and hip pain.
The most common symptom of ankylosing spondylitis is lower back and/or hip pain and stiffness. Over time, the symptoms may progress to other areas of the spine or body.
Flying can be exhausting, and with a disease like ankylosing spondylitis you may experience increased symptoms like fatigue, pain, inflammation, and lower immunity. Knowing this in advance can empower you to prepare well for a successful flight and trip.
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 rheumatologist is commonly the type of physician who will diagnose ankylosing spondylitis (AS), since they are doctors who are specially trained in diagnosing and treating disorders that affect the joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments, connective tissue, and bones.