Antardhwani in association with Rajasthan Rheumatologist Association (RRA) has begun the Jaipur chapter of a patient support group for Ankylosing Spondylitis on August 7, Saturday. The support group aims to bring together patients, expert doctors, physiotherapists, yoga trainers, and dieticians, who get exposure to common ailments related to the disease, and in turn, also aid patients, share new research and findings, and new medicines in this field.
The Jaipur chapter was launched in the presence of Antardhwani Founder and CEO of Hi-Tech iSolutions Pranit Banthia, Programme Head at Antardhwani-Jaipur Shalu Golecha, and well-known rheumatology experts Dr. Rahul Jain, President, Dr. Bharat Singh, Vice President, Dr. Amit Sharma, Secretary, and Dr. Bhupendra Vaishnav, Treasurer of Rajasthan Rheumatologist Association.
“Antardhwani’s mission is to connect doctors and patients and spread awareness about managing Ankylosing Spondylitis. Antardhwani already has chapters in Ahmedabad, Surat, and Vadodara in Gujarat and has worked with over 2,500 patients till date. Antardhwani also plans to form a patient support group in Udaipur shortly,” Pranit Banthia said on the occasion.
Ankylosing Spondylitis is a condition where all or some of the joints and bones of the spine fuse together like bamboo. It often causes inflammation in the backbone, and in severe cases, even affects the heart or eyes. It has been classified as a rare disease as 8 out of every 10,000 persons suffer from it. The disease is a lifelong ailment and incurable, but regular exercise and medical aid can provide relief to the patients.
Characteristically, its first symptoms are frequent pain and stiffness in the lower back and buttocks, which occur gradually over a period of time. The pain is felt on both sides and persists for at least three months. It is usually worse in the mornings and at night, but the condition can be improved with light exercise or a warm shower.
Males between the age of 20-30 are the most commonly affected by Ankylosing Spondylitis. The symptoms include lower back pain with early morning stiffness. Its exact cause is not known yet, but scientists believe the interplay between genetic, environmental, and immune systems triggers the symptoms.