Ankylosing Spondylitis

Descriptive Essay # 113966

An overview of the autoimmune disease known as ankylosing spondylitis.

1,386 words () | 7 sources | APA | 2009 United States

Paper Summary:

The paper describes ankylosing spondylitis (AS), a chronic and progressive form of degenerative arthritis. The paper explains the pathogenesis of AS, the symptoms and the treatments available. The writer relates her own personal encounter with AS through her husband who has suffered from it since his early teens.

From the Paper:

"Ankylosing Spondylitis is an autoimmune disease which attacks the articular and para-articular structures and is classified as a chronic and progressive form of degenerative arthritis. The term is derived from the Greek work "ankylos", meaning stiffing joint and "spondylitis" which means vertebrae inflammation. Indeed Hippocrates first recognized this condition as a form of Rheumatoid Arthritis in the second century and although Egyptian mummies such as Rameses the great (1298-1232 BC) have been found with ankylosing spondylitis it was not until the late 19th century when physicians such as Vladimir Bekhterev and Pierre Marie gave descriptions so that diagnosis could be made. As to date medical regenerative research has not led to any effective therapies for this severely formed inflammatory disease of the spine and still remains a mystery as what concept causes it to develop."

Sample of Sources Used:

Spondylitis Association of America. 2008. http://www.spondylitis.org/about/as_sym.aspx. Retrieved 2009-10-03.
www.arthritis.org. Ankylosing Spondylitis:Understanding its cause diagnosis and Treatment. http://arthritis.com.
Wilfred CG Peh. MD. Ankylosing Spondylitis. http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/386639-overview Retrieved 2009-20-03.
Stein Jay H. (1998). "Clinical Immunology, Rheumatology, and Dermatology ". Ankylosing Spondylitis Pathophysiology". 200: 1238-1240.
Seeley.Stephes.Tate (2008). "Anatomy and Physiology (eight edition). "Skeletal System"7: 225-230.