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More youngsters prone to spinal pain in Chennai
A sedentary lifestyle, incorrect sitting postures and stress are a few factors responsible for many youngsters developing Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) or ‘arthritis in the spine’, a condition which is known to affect one in every 100 adults in the country.
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migrator
migrator
Chennai
Doctors say, everyone, especially youngsters, should undergo regular check-ups to avoid joint fusion and to control further progression of the disease, if already developed. While more number of people are getting affected, the condition is not age-bound.
Dr Sumitra Saurabh, a rheumatologist, said, “Several youngsters in their 20s and 30s are also getting affected by it.” While there are less than 1,000 rheumatologists in the country, she said that patients with rheumatic diseases are treated by orthopaedics and general practitioners.
“They are also often treated by quacks and spiritual healers. It is important that they approach the right doctor for the right treatment,” she stated.
Emphasising on the need for early diagnosis, Dr S Ramakrishnan, Senior Consultant Rheumatologist, Apollo Hospital, said, “AS causes significant physical disability and impedes daily activity. The inflammation associated with AS can cause two or more bones of the spine to fuse over time.” Though AS is an irreversible disease, it is manageable through treatment and lifestyle modification, he said.
At the back of it all
Early symptoms
- Stiffness and pain in the lower back early in the morning
- Pain in base of the spine or joints between the spine and pelvic region
Causes
- Sedentary lifestyle.
- Improper sitting posture.
- Stress .
- A highly demanding work life.
Factfile
- While there is no cure for Ankylosing Spondylitis, a good posture and some simple stretches and exercises can help ease your pain and lessen your symptoms
- Doctors in the state say many women are developing it too
- Every 2nd patient seen in government hospitals suffer from AS
- Condition rising rapidly in TN, especially among the IT sector, medicos
- Cost of medicine very high, doctors want insurance cover for the condition
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