Climate
Some people notice that their
arthritis gets worse when there is a sudden change in the weather. However, there is no evidence that a specific climate can prevent or reduce the effects of
ankylosing spondylitis. Moving to a new place with a different climate usually does not make a long-term difference in a person's ankylosing spondylitis.
Medications Used for Ankylosing Spondylitis Treatment
For most people who have ankylosing spondylitis, treatment also involves taking medications. Some important factors for deciding which medication is most appropriate as part of ankylosing spondylitis treatment include:
- The patient's general condition
- The current and predicted severity of the illness
- The length of time he or she will take the drug
- The drug's effectiveness and potential side effects.
Some ankylosing spondylitis medicines are used only for pain relief, while others are used to reduce inflammation. Some examples of the different classes of medicines used to treat ankylosing spondylitis include:
- Analgesics (pain relievers), including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Steroid injections
There are two other classes of medications that are used to try to slow the course of ankylosing spondylitis. The first class is called disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs); the other class is known as biologic response modifiers.
Biologic response modifiers can be used to improve
ankylosing spondylitis symptoms, stop further joint damage, and improve joint function. These medications can also be used to help relieve
plaque psoriasis symptoms. Some specific biologic response modifiers used for ankylosing spondylitis treatment include:
(Click on Ankylosing Spondylitis Medications for more information about commonly used ankylosing spondylitis medications, as well as their uses and effects, side effects, and monitoring requirements.)
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