SYMPTOMS
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How does AS affect the spine and other joints of the body?
-AS usually starts around the sacroiliac joints (abbreviated SI).  The SI joints are where the lower spine joins the pelvis.  If the SI joints become fused, a person is left with chronic pain and stiffness in the lower back and hips, especially during periods of rest or inactivity.  People with AS tend to not sleep through the night and then to wake up with severe stiffness. 

-AS may then progress to the upper spine, rib cage, and neck where it can ultimately cause complete fusion of the bones.  The spine and neck then lose their flexibility. 

-Although less common, AS can also affect the peripheral joints (shoulders knees, ankles, and heels).
How does AS affect the heart, lungs, and eyes?
Heart
   AS can have 2 effects on the heart; although researchers are unaware as to how these arrive as complications of the disease:
1)  It can cause the aortic valve to leak.
2)  It can affect the conduction of electrical activity.

Lungs
   AS can affect the ability of the lungs to fully ventilate.  It does this by affecting the rib joints and their muscles.  Apical pulmonary fibrosis may arise as a complication of the disease if the lungs become scarred, which makes it even more difficult to breath. 

Eyes
   AS can cause iritis and uveitis  (an inflammation of the iris and uvea) in 40% of people with the disease.  This causes blurring of vision which then progresses to a painful and bloodshot eye.  Corticosteroid eye drops can help to reduce inflammation. 
Picture courtesy of:
         medlineplus
Picture courtesy of:
        medlineplus
Click here to learn more about the symptoms of AS:  http://www.nass.co.uk/questions.htm
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