Inflammation and pain Ankylosing spondylitis also affects women

Since yesterday is known: actress Christine Neubauer suffers from Morbus Bechterew. The rheumatic disease, which leads to the stiffening of the spine, initially shows as in the actress only by back pain and is therefore often overlooked.

For a long time, Bechterew's disease was also considered a typical "male disease". Today, however, it is known that it affects women equally. However, the stiffening is slower with them. Therefore, Bechterew's disease is more often overlooked in women. However, this is fatal, because an early start of therapy influences the course of the disease positively. Rheumatologists treat the painful disease in addition to medication with alternative therapies such as therapies in radon thermal gallstones.

The number of unreported cases in women with ankylosing spondylitis is very high. Experts estimate that about one in three or even every second affected woman does not know about the disease. "Pain in the lumbar and gluteal region, which often occurs at night and in the morning, are typical signs," says Univ.-Doz. Dr. Bertram Hölzl, Bechterew expert and scientific director of the Gastein Heilstollen. "In addition, there is also morning stiffness in the limbs, which decreases with movement, and pain that worsens in rest periods, for ankylosing spondylitis." Sometimes chronic fatigue and slowly progressive stiffening of the spine join the symptoms.

Picture: Bilderzwerg - Fotolia

The cause seems to be a malfunction of the immune system in which the body's own immune cells migrate into the tissue and trigger inflammatory reactions there. "Similar causes are also due to the often observed concomitant diseases such as eye inflammation or inflammatory bowel disease", explains Dr. med. Hölzl. First symptoms often appear before the age of 45.

Inflammations make rheumatologists visible on MRI, and spinal deformities can be seen on the radiograph later. The treatment of Bechterew's diseases is put together by experts. In addition to physiotherapy, analgesic, anti-inflammatory drugs and so-called biologics, many patients have good experiences with a stay in Radon thermal galleries once a year. "Radon releases mild alpha rays in the body, which stimulate cell repair mechanisms and reduce the activity of inflammatory cells and painkillers," says Dr. hölzl.

"Radon works best in combination with heat." Scientific studies confirm that so-called radon heat therapy, which is offered as part of a treatment, has success rates of between 80 and 90 percent. Radon heat therapy, for example, causes a significant reduction in pressure pain, pain intensity, functional limitations and drug consumption. Otherwise, help a lot of exercise, eating well, avoiding smoking and avoiding obesity.