If you have uveitis, did you know that you are also more likely to have SpA? SpA is a family of inflammatory rheumatic diseases that cause arthritis.
With SpA, one of the most common symptoms patients complain about is lower back pain. But it can also attack the spine, joints in your legs and arms, intestines, eyes, and skin.
There’s no cure for SpA, but there are things that you can do to make living with this condition easier. You can try making some of the following lifestyle changes:
- If you’re a smoker, stop smoking immediately. Smoking makes the bones in your spine grow together faster, which causes more pain and discomfort.
- Stay physically active. Your joints and heart will be in much better shape if you exercise on a regular basis. You should also try to stretch periodically. This helps keep your spine from stiffening.
- Sit up and use proper posture. Slumping over is only going to put more strain on your spine and backbone. Good posture can help prevent your spine from growing into an uncomfortable position.
If lifestyle changes don’t help, you’ll need to consider medical alternatives as well. Common treatments for SpA are:
- NSAIDs can help if you are in a lot of pain and need relief
- corticosteroids are shots that are injected into the joint or tendon. These work fast and are best if you have swelling in your joints that’s in one area in particular.
- over time, the inflammation usually worsens. You may want to consider surgery if cartilage has become severely damaged.
If you think you may have uveitis, schedule an appointment at North Toronto Eye Care in North York, ON today!