The doctor warned about the danger of morning back pain

Many people mistakenly attribute back pain in the morning to an uncomfortable sleeping position or osteochondrosis. However, such pain can be a symptom of a serious systemic disease — Ankylosing spondylitis. Internist Anna Kolesova told Izvestia about this on September 17.

"If your back hurts at rest and "walks around" when moving, this is a serious reason to suspect the inflammatory nature of the pain and consult a rheumatologist. With Ankylosing spondylitis, the pain is deep, diffuse and increases at rest, whereas with mechanical damage, the pain, on the contrary, weakens during rest," Kolesova emphasized.

The doctor described in detail the pathophysiology of the disease. According to her, during the night, when a person is immobilized, inflammatory mediators accumulate in the area of the affected joints, which cause pain. Microscopic scarring changes form in the ligaments, and when trying to move in the morning, the inflamed tissues stretch dramatically.

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Kolesova listed additional alarming symptoms that should alert: pain and stiffness in the thoracic spine, soreness at the attachment points of tendons (heels, soles of the feet), inflammation of the eyes, as well as the presence of psoriasis or inflammatory bowel diseases in the patient or his relatives.

The expert emphasized that Ankylosing spondylitis is a systemic disease and can affect various organs. The autoimmune process is not limited to the spine. A common complication is eye inflammation (uveitis), which occurs in 25-40% of patients and may be the first manifestation of the disease. The disease can also affect the cardiovascular system and lungs.

The doctor urged not to ignore back pain and contact specialists in a timely manner for accurate diagnosis, since early detection of Ankylosing spondylitis disease can prevent serious complications.

Elena Pavlova, a general practitioner, geriatrician, naturopath, and gastroenterologist, told Izvestia on August 28 that when the cortisol production schedule is disrupted, it increases at night and acts as an internal alarm clock, forcing the body to wake up and mobilize. In addition, drinking caffeine or alcohol before bedtime stimulates the release of cortisol and provokes awakenings.

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