LIFE TIPS FOR ANKYLOSING SPONDILITIS (AS) PATIENTS
Prof. Dr. Ahmet Mesut Onat
After long-lasting back pain, waking up in the morning as if frozen, severe pain in the hips from time to time, and dozens of examinations, one day, this diagnosis was finally made.... value AS, that is, humpback disease. From that moment on, he began to look for a way to get rid of the hump by telling his illness to his spouse, friend, internet and even anyone he saw...
It is this search that often pushes our patients into despair and depression. The rush of research experienced in the early days gives way over time to the feeling of getting used to it, which is one of the most important characteristics of humans, and over time, our patients feel a sense of abandonment. We doctors are also guilty at this point, we must accept it. We must ensure that our patients receive accurate information about their problems and give them the right education by holding their hands like a child starting school. So, let's read together what we should recommend for this so-called AS, other than the basic disease principles and medications.
AS is actually not a standard disease. In other words, every person we diagnose immediately identifies himself with the late Suna Pekuysal and Ahmet Mete Işıkara. However, this behavior is actually a huge mistake. Each patient has a different course and the disease varies significantly from person to person. The rheumatologist actually knows who will get worse and adjusts the treatment accordingly. The subject of this article is how our patients should live. While giving these suggestions, we have prepared a list for you based on medical references.
1. At every moment of our lives; So, when we are at work, resting or sleeping, we must have a proper posture. The disease tries to bend our body forward. It is important to sit upright while sitting, to avoid bending our neck too much at our desk, to choose a chair that is neither soft nor hard, and to sit with our waist supported.
An orderly and disciplined life should be started. Excessive fatigue should be avoided and our lifestyle should be adjusted to allow our body to rest. Smoking must be quit, discuss this It is nothing but deceiving ourselves. The most important advice here would be to have an optimistic and positive perspective. Otherwise, even the best treatment may lose its effect.
2. Our chairs should be flat and chairs and armchairs that are recessed and inclined backwards should not be used. It is necessary to avoid sitting for long periods of time. While reading, the neck can be relaxed by supporting the book with an upward slope.
3. If our steps are big enough, our hip movements will relax. Elastic high-heeled shoes will make us comfortable when walking on hard ground.
4. Our mattress should not be too hard or soft. Beds and sofas with soft springs are not suitable. It is a good behavior to lie face down for at least 20-40 minutes before sleeping and when waking up in the morning, to avoid sleeping on your side, and to abandon thick pillows and prefer almost thin pillows. If possible, you can sleep without a pillow and try to lie on your back while sleeping, avoiding sleeping on your side.
5. Working environments that are dry and free of drafts are suitable. Working while bending over for long periods of time should be avoided. Sitting-standing and walking times can be arranged alternately in the work environment. It would be very relaxing to be able to rest for a short time during lunch break by lying on your back or face down.
6. Physical activity is very important. Sports that increase our trunk movements and make us upright, that is, stretch us, should be preferred. Of course, the types of sports we will do vary depending on the stage of our disease, that is, whether we get sick early or late. Sports that are prone to forward bending and impacts, such as long-term cycling, boxing, football, and skiing, should not be preferred. The neck is an area that should not be strained, especially for an advanced-stage patient. If we have joint swelling, we should not strain the joint just because we want to do sports. Sports that stretch the body and gymnastics-style sports, especially swimming, provide significant benefits. Spending even 5 minutes in the morning and evening for the exercises we recommend will increase our quality of life.
Increasing our lung capacity by taking deep breaths in between and doing correct breathing exercises. learning will be very beneficial in the long run.
7. Weekly red meat consumption is recommended as 2 meals and fish consumption as 2 meals, and excessive meat consumption is not recommended. It is important to maintain our weight according to our height, and it should be known that our treatments, especially cortisone and anti-TNF drugs, can increase our appetite and cause weight gain. Our calcium and vitamin D intake should be sufficient. If we consume less calcium and vitamin D, our bone quality will deteriorate faster. A vegetarian diet is believed to reduce inflammation, that is, the severity of disease.
8. Pregnancy and birth can be handled comfortably. You do not have to give birth by cesarean section, you can have a normal birth. Of course, we need to adjust your medication treatments at this time, but you should also know that most of the medications we give you during pregnancy and lactation have been proven to be safe and you should have a close dialogue with your Rheumatologist on this issue. At this point, the best goal is to get closer to what is natural and to go through this period with the least amount of medication and the most exercise. However, sometimes if a seriously ill patient needs medication, it would be wrong to ignore it.
9. It is necessary to use wide mirrors and support the neck while driving. It is correct to support the waist with a thin pillow. On long journeys, it is recommended to take breaks every 1-2 hours and take a few minutes of walking and stretching breaks.
10. It is recommended to be in socially active exercise groups and do appropriate exercises. Social isolation must be avoided. It is necessary to continue education with reliable information sources.
However, we should not perceive all this information as standard and unchangeable for every patient. Considering that each patient is a different individual, it is necessary to prioritize individual patient characteristics.
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