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Ankylosing spondylitis glossary
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A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
A
achilles tendinitis: Inflammation of the Achilles tendon, causing swelling and tenderness just above the heel bone
ankylosing spondylitis: An inflammatory arthritic disorder, primarily of the spine, which can affect hip and shoulder joints and, sometimes, joints of the arms and legs; causes chronic back pain and stiffness in the spine
antigen: A substance that causes the body to create antibodies against it; can be a foreign substance from outside of the body or a substance created in the body
arthritis: Inflammation of the joint
AS: Abbreviation for ankylosing spondylitis
B
biologic response modifiers: Medications that target specific parts of the immune system that cause inflammation
bursa: A fluid-filled sac found at pressure points in the body, such as between bones, tendons, and muscles
bursitis: Inflammation of the bursa
C
chronic: Long-lasting, long-term, or recurring frequently
conjunctivitis: An inflammation of the delicate outer covering of the eyelids and the eyeball, commonly known as pinkeye
corticosteroid: Medication that suppresses the immune system and reduces inflammation
cytokine: A protein released by many cells that controls the body’s immune response
D
disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs): A type of medication that has the potential to reduce or prevent joint damage, and preserve joint function
DMARD: Abbreviation for disease-modifying antirheumatic drug
F
flare-up: A worsening of a disease
G
gene: The functional and physical unit of heredity that is passed from parent to child
H
HLA: Human leukocyte antigen, which is important to the function of the immune system
HLA-B27: A gene that makes a person more likely to develop certain diseases such as ankylosing spondylitis
I
immune system: The body's defense against infection and disease
inflammation: Swelling, part of the body’s protective response to injury or tissue damage
iris: The round, colored part of the eye around the pupil that controls the amount of light entering the eye
iritis: Inflammation of the iris
J
joint: The connecting point of two or more bones
L
leukocyte: A white blood cell, which is part of the immune system
N
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): A type of pain medication used to reduce pain and swelling
O
osteoporosis: A disease characterized by the loss of bone mass which may cause bones to become fragile and more likely to break
P
psoriasis: A long-lasting skin disease which causes scaling and inflammation that is thought to be a disorder of the immune system
R
RA: Abbreviation for rheumatoid arthritis
reactive arthritis: Arthritis that develops from infection of other parts of the body
reiter's syndrome: A form of reactive arthritis involving arthritis, conjunctivitis, and urethritis that may have other features of spondyloarthropathies
rheumatoid arthritis: A chronic disease affecting the joints that can lead to swelling, stiffness, pain, and difficulty moving
rheumatologist: A doctor specializing in treating patients with arthritis and other joint diseases
S
scleritis: A condition caused by swelling of blood vessels in the eye that can cause damage to the cornea
SpA: Abbreviation for spondyloarthropathies
spondylitis: Inflammation of the spine
spondyloarthropathy(ies): Ankylosing spondylitis and related diseases that have clinical similarities, more often seen in people who carry the HLA-B27 gene
synovial fluid: A fluid that serves as a lubricant for the joints and tendons
synovium: Tissue that lines the joints and produces synovial fluid
T
TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation): A type of therapy used to relieve pain; involves passing electricity to nerve cells through electrodes placed on the skin
tendon: A band of fibrous tissue that connects muscle to bone
tumor necrosis factor (TNF): A type of protein released from cells after exposure to an antigen; causes an inflammatory response
U
urethritis: An inflammatory condition of the urethra, or the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body
Information provided here does not constitute professional medical advice. Although it is intended to be accurate, neither Walgreen Co., its subsidiaries or affiliates, nor any other party assumes liability for loss or damage due to reliance on this material. If you have a medical question, consult your medical professional.