Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsConnectionRisksTreatmentPreventionFrequently Asked Questions

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Table of Contents

Connection

Risks

Treatment

Prevention

Frequently Asked Questions

Ankylosing spondylitisis a type of inflammatory arthritis. The most common symptoms of inflammation affect the joints and typically involve pain, stiffness, and swelling. Some people with ankylosing spondylitis develop digestive problems, a rash, or eye inflammation.

Whilevertigo(a dizzy, spinning sensation) is not the most well-recognized effect of ankylosing spondylitis, people with ankylosing spondylitis have a higher than usual risk of experiencing vertigo, especially as the condition progresses over time.

This article explains the relationship between vertigo and ankylosing spondylitis, how you can try to prevent it, and what treatments might help if you have vertigo or any balance problems with ankylosing spondylitis.

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Person with ankylosing spondylitis on couch feeling sensation of vertigo

Connection Between Ankylosing Spondylitis and Vertigo

Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic disorder that causes inflammation of the joints. It can also cause vertigo, dizziness, problems with balance, and trouble waking.

People with this condition can have diminished core stability, which means that the body as a whole is less stable than normal, making it difficult to maintain balance.

The severity of these problems varies among people with ankylosing spondylitis.Each type of physical instability or sense of imbalance can amplify the effects of the others, leading to further impairment of balance and worsening feelings of dizziness.

One study found that balance was impaired with both forward and backward movements and side-to-side movements.

There are several contributing factors that can lead to vertigo, dizziness, and diminished core stability in ankylosing spondylitis.

Inner Ear Inflammation

Ankylosing spondylitis can lead to inflammation in theinner ear. Researchers used vestibular testing to determine how participants with ankylosing spondylitis scored.These are tests used to assess the inner ear function of balance.

In the study, people with ankylosing spondylitis were found to have lower than normal vestibular system functioning. This is known to cause vertigo, dizziness, and trouble with balance.

Joint Inflammation

Treatment and Management of Vertigo With Ankylosing Spondylitis

Treatments can reduce your feelings of vertigo and dizziness and improve your balance.

Physical therapy is a key treatment for vertigo. This involves balance exercises, gait training, andexercises specifically designed to reduce vertigo. You can work with a physical therapist and, under their direction, practice the exercises at home on your own.

The 3 Stages of Ankylosing Spondylitis

Research suggests that people with ankylosing spondylitis be tested for balance and core stability and that exercises to improve these skills should be a standard part of physical therapy and rehabilitation for ankylosing spondylitis.

Summary

Additionally, inflammation of the inner ear can lead to vertigo, balance problems, and dizziness.Screening for these issues can identify them early so treatment can be started. Prevention includes using medication to control ankylosing spondylitis and participating in physical therapy.

A Word From Verywell

You can have a good quality of life with ankylosing spondylitis. Medication, physical therapy, and staying active can all help maintain your ability to function and can reduce the pain or discomfort that this type of inflammatory arthritis can cause.

Frequently Asked QuestionsOne of the treatments used for ankylosing spondylitis, Remicade (infliximab), is in a category of medications associated with impairment of inner ear function.A small research study included people with ankylosing spondylitis who were treated with infliximab, though, and found no evidence of damage to their inner ear function.Learn MoreTreatment for Ankylosing SpondylitisThe most common symptoms are pain, stiffness, and swelling of joints throughout the body. Some people may also have a rash, digestive problems, or inflammation of the eyes.Vertigo, dizziness, and balance problems are also increased in people with ankylosing spondylitis when compared to people who don’t have the condition.Learn MoreSymptoms of Ankylosing Spondylitis

One of the treatments used for ankylosing spondylitis, Remicade (infliximab), is in a category of medications associated with impairment of inner ear function.A small research study included people with ankylosing spondylitis who were treated with infliximab, though, and found no evidence of damage to their inner ear function.Learn MoreTreatment for Ankylosing Spondylitis

One of the treatments used for ankylosing spondylitis, Remicade (infliximab), is in a category of medications associated with impairment of inner ear function.A small research study included people with ankylosing spondylitis who were treated with infliximab, though, and found no evidence of damage to their inner ear function.

One of the treatments used for ankylosing spondylitis, Remicade (infliximab), is in a category of medications associated with impairment of inner ear function.

A small research study included people with ankylosing spondylitis who were treated with infliximab, though, and found no evidence of damage to their inner ear function.

Learn MoreTreatment for Ankylosing Spondylitis

The most common symptoms are pain, stiffness, and swelling of joints throughout the body. Some people may also have a rash, digestive problems, or inflammation of the eyes.Vertigo, dizziness, and balance problems are also increased in people with ankylosing spondylitis when compared to people who don’t have the condition.Learn MoreSymptoms of Ankylosing Spondylitis

The most common symptoms are pain, stiffness, and swelling of joints throughout the body. Some people may also have a rash, digestive problems, or inflammation of the eyes.Vertigo, dizziness, and balance problems are also increased in people with ankylosing spondylitis when compared to people who don’t have the condition.

The most common symptoms are pain, stiffness, and swelling of joints throughout the body. Some people may also have a rash, digestive problems, or inflammation of the eyes.

Vertigo, dizziness, and balance problems are also increased in people with ankylosing spondylitis when compared to people who don’t have the condition.

Learn MoreSymptoms of Ankylosing Spondylitis

Are Dietary Supplements Safe for Ankylosing Spondylitis?

5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Acar Y, Ilçin N, Gürpinar B, Can G.Core stability and balance in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.Rheumatol Int.2019;39(8):1389-1396. doi:10.1007/s00296-019-04341-5Soulard J, Vuillerme N, Vaillant J.Gait characteristics in patients with ankylosing spondylitis: protocol for a systematic review.JMIR Res Protoc. 2019;8(5):e12470. doi:10.2196/12470Çınar E, Akkoç Y, Karapolat H, Durusoy R, Keser G.Postural deformities: potential morbidities to cause balance problems in patients with ankylosing spondylitis?Eur J Rheumatol.2016;3(1):5-9. doi:10.5152/eurjrheum.2015.15104Özgür A, Serdaroğlu Beyazal M, Terzi S, Coşkun ZÖ, Dursun E.Vestibular evoked myogenic potentials in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol.2016;273(10):2953-7. doi:10.1007/s00405-015-3882-4Toktas H, Okur E, Dundar U, Dikici A, Kahveci OK.Infliximab has no apparent effect in the inner ear hearing function of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis.Clin Rheumatol.2014;33(10):1481-7. doi:10.1007/s10067-014-2625-z

5 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Acar Y, Ilçin N, Gürpinar B, Can G.Core stability and balance in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.Rheumatol Int.2019;39(8):1389-1396. doi:10.1007/s00296-019-04341-5Soulard J, Vuillerme N, Vaillant J.Gait characteristics in patients with ankylosing spondylitis: protocol for a systematic review.JMIR Res Protoc. 2019;8(5):e12470. doi:10.2196/12470Çınar E, Akkoç Y, Karapolat H, Durusoy R, Keser G.Postural deformities: potential morbidities to cause balance problems in patients with ankylosing spondylitis?Eur J Rheumatol.2016;3(1):5-9. doi:10.5152/eurjrheum.2015.15104Özgür A, Serdaroğlu Beyazal M, Terzi S, Coşkun ZÖ, Dursun E.Vestibular evoked myogenic potentials in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol.2016;273(10):2953-7. doi:10.1007/s00405-015-3882-4Toktas H, Okur E, Dundar U, Dikici A, Kahveci OK.Infliximab has no apparent effect in the inner ear hearing function of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis.Clin Rheumatol.2014;33(10):1481-7. doi:10.1007/s10067-014-2625-z

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Acar Y, Ilçin N, Gürpinar B, Can G.Core stability and balance in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.Rheumatol Int.2019;39(8):1389-1396. doi:10.1007/s00296-019-04341-5Soulard J, Vuillerme N, Vaillant J.Gait characteristics in patients with ankylosing spondylitis: protocol for a systematic review.JMIR Res Protoc. 2019;8(5):e12470. doi:10.2196/12470Çınar E, Akkoç Y, Karapolat H, Durusoy R, Keser G.Postural deformities: potential morbidities to cause balance problems in patients with ankylosing spondylitis?Eur J Rheumatol.2016;3(1):5-9. doi:10.5152/eurjrheum.2015.15104Özgür A, Serdaroğlu Beyazal M, Terzi S, Coşkun ZÖ, Dursun E.Vestibular evoked myogenic potentials in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol.2016;273(10):2953-7. doi:10.1007/s00405-015-3882-4Toktas H, Okur E, Dundar U, Dikici A, Kahveci OK.Infliximab has no apparent effect in the inner ear hearing function of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis.Clin Rheumatol.2014;33(10):1481-7. doi:10.1007/s10067-014-2625-z

Acar Y, Ilçin N, Gürpinar B, Can G.Core stability and balance in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.Rheumatol Int.2019;39(8):1389-1396. doi:10.1007/s00296-019-04341-5

Soulard J, Vuillerme N, Vaillant J.Gait characteristics in patients with ankylosing spondylitis: protocol for a systematic review.JMIR Res Protoc. 2019;8(5):e12470. doi:10.2196/12470

Çınar E, Akkoç Y, Karapolat H, Durusoy R, Keser G.Postural deformities: potential morbidities to cause balance problems in patients with ankylosing spondylitis?Eur J Rheumatol.2016;3(1):5-9. doi:10.5152/eurjrheum.2015.15104

Özgür A, Serdaroğlu Beyazal M, Terzi S, Coşkun ZÖ, Dursun E.Vestibular evoked myogenic potentials in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol.2016;273(10):2953-7. doi:10.1007/s00405-015-3882-4

Toktas H, Okur E, Dundar U, Dikici A, Kahveci OK.Infliximab has no apparent effect in the inner ear hearing function of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis.Clin Rheumatol.2014;33(10):1481-7. doi:10.1007/s10067-014-2625-z

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