A severe and rare spine joint disease, called ankylosing spondylitis, affects men more often, but young women (20 to 30 years old) are also exposed to it. It is most difficult to correctly diagnose Bechterew's disease - the symptoms of the disease are very similar to osteochondrosis and primary signs of the intervertebral hernia.
Causes of Bechterew's Disease
The only factor contributing to the development of the pathology in question is the genetic predisposition. The disease is characterized by features of the functioning of the immune system, which is inherited.
It should be noted that the presence of any chronic inflammatory diseases of the internal organs, usually the intestine or urogenital system, increases the risk of the described ailment. Also important are acute infections, both bacterial and viral.
One of the most common hypotheses that explain the appearance of pathology is the psychosomatics of Bekhterev's disease. According to this version, the pathology appears as a result of prolonged exposure to severe stress , depressive states or emotional overload. Due to the above reasons irreversible autoimmune processes are triggered, which also provoke inflammation of the intervertebral joints.
Symptoms and signs of Bechterew's disease in women
At the very beginning, rare and mild pains are noted in the lumbar region, sacrum, changes occur in the ligamentous apparatus of the spine. Further clinical manifestations:
- stiffness of movements, aggravated at rest, at night and before awakening;
- increased pain syndrome, especially during physical exertion and sudden movements;
- tension of the muscular apparatus of the back;
- decreased mobility of the spine;
- pain in the hip joint;
- stoop, curvature of the spinal column;
- restriction of development of the chest;
- decreased growth;
- fusion (ankylosing) of the joints.
The later stages of the progression of Bechterew's disease are characterized by the following symptoms:
- aortitis;
- failure of the heart valves;
- rhythm disturbances;
- pericarditis;
- defeat of the elbows, ankles and knee joints;
- amyloidosis of the kidneys;
- aveitis (inflammation of the eyes);
- loss of appetite, and in the future - weight;
- temperature increase;
- pain in the heel.
X-ray signs of Bechterew's disease
The most informative type of research for diagnosing an illness is magnetic resonance therapy or X-rays. The picture in full reflects changes in the spine, as well as the number of joints, their size. In addition, X-rays can determine the presence of the inflammatory process and its prevalence.
Main features:
- well-visible fusion of the vertebrae (extensive white spots in the region of the lumbar region or sacrum);
- changes in the shape and size of the joints;
- absence of visible cartilaginous tissue in the intervertebral lumen.
ESR with Bechterew's disease
In some cases, a biochemical blood test is used to diagnose the disease. As a rule, it allows you to determine the existing inflammatory process by counting the rate of erythrocyte sedimentation. Even at the initial stage, this indicator is much higher than normal values and is approximately 35-40 mm per hour, sometimes - more.
It is worth noting that Bekhterev's disease in women strongly resembles rheumatoid arthritis . The described pathology can be distinguished only by the absence of the corresponding rheumatic factor in the serum under study.