Tips to make your home more comfortable with ankylosing spondylitis | health in everyday life

Symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) can affect you anywhere, including at home, where they can make tasks like cleaning, cooking, and bathing difficult.

AS is a form of arthritis that causes inflammation of the joints and ligaments in the spine, leading to back pain . "When people with AS wake up in the morning, they typically have morning stiffness and pain, especially in the lower back," says Dr. Orrin Troum, a rheumatologist at Providence Saint John Health Center in Santa Monica, Utah, California.

Although morning stiffness may improve as the day progresses, you may still experience back pain along with other symptoms. As AS progresses, it's possible to develop peripheral arthritis in the surrounding areas of the body, such as the hips, knees, and ankles, which can also become swollen and inflamed.

"Let's say someone wants to pick up something really quickly, they have long-standing spondyloarthritis and their back won't bend. It can also upset someone's balance," says Dr. dream.

Despite these challenges, your home should be a place of convenience, comfort, and security. And that is possible with the right strategies.

First, keep your hallways as clutter-free as possible and organize things you don't normally need into closets, drawers, or shelves, says Brittany Ferri, PhD, an occupational therapist (OT) and consultant at BCN Medical Solutions in Rochester, New York. . "Also make sure all cables are secured and tucked away where no one can trip over them," adds Dr. Added Ferri. Instead of clinging to furniture as you walk, use assistive devices and keep commonly used items close at hand.

Here are more tips that can make any room in your home cozier.

Tips for changing rooms

• Consider buying an adjustable bed that you can raise or lower as needed. "You could get an adjustable hospital bed, or your bed should have rails and grab rails nearby to help you stand up," says Ferri. Bea Caillet , 40, food blogger based in Paris, France, has lived with AS since she was young. "I bought an adjustable bed so I can put my feet up a little and relieve back pain," says Caillet. "The adjustable bed and great mattress was a great investment and worth every penny."
• Change your mattress. Troum suggests buying a firm (but not stiff) mattress and replacing it every 10 years to keep it from sagging in the middle.
• Add more pillows to your bed. Instead of buying just one type of pillow, opt for a variety. "Pillows should be a mix of firm and soft to provide adequate support and comfort," says Ferri.
• Keep a heating pad next to your bed. Warming your back for 15 to 20 minutes before you wake up can help relieve morning stiffness. "Heat helps, whether it's in the shower or with a heating pad," says Troum.

Bathroom remodeling tips

• Use a walk-in shower. Opt for a shower stall rather than a bath if possible, a hot tub can be helpful for heat therapy to relieve pain. "When I renovated my apartment, I made sure that I had both a bath and a shower, so that I could choose the one that best suits me, depending on my condition," explains Caillet. "I can't go without a hot Epsom salt bath every time I'm in pain or just need to relax. But a shower is so much more convenient and painless to wash my hair without bending over.
• Use a non-slip pad. Place one in the tub and one outside the tub to avoid falls.
• Keep a mop in the bathroom. "Absorbent mops help get rid of standing water in the bathroom, which can be a tripping hazard," says Ferri.

Kitchen remodeling tips

• Place a floor mat (called an anti-fatigue mat) on the floor. This can help reduce stress from standing for too long.
• Keep pots and pans handy. Or use tweezers or another device to push objects away.
• Keep a chair nearby. This will help minimize standing and bending over for long periods of time. "In my kitchen, I make sure that I can sit down if necessary to peel and prepare my food," explains Caillet.

Living room remodeling tips

• Opt for high furniture instead of low ones. "Solid, tall sofas and chairs are easier to get on and off," says Ferri. Also, have a mix of lighter and heavier pillows on hand.
• Place non-slip mats under rugs or rugs that are not attached. This helps prevent slips and falls.
• Have more than one place to sit. Adjust the piece so you don't have to stay in one position all the time. "In my living room I have a comfortable sofa and an ottoman to rest my feet on," explains Caillet. "I put my TV on a swivel stand so I can position my TV screen perfectly in front of me no matter where I sit because I can't keep my head on one side for long.

Tips for switching to the home office

• Create an ergonomic workplace. If you have a job that requires you to sit in front of a computer all day, "you should have an ergonomics assessment by a physical or occupational therapist so you can put the computer up to eye level and not hang your head,", says Troum.
• Invest in a good office chair. A Physical Therapist (PT) or OT can also advise you on an appropriate chair so you have adequate lumbar support for good posture and ensure you are using your keyboard and mouse properly.

To find a physical or occupational therapist who can help you with your home office and all other aspects of your home, talk to your rheumatologist or family doctor. You can also find a certified aging in place specialist (CAPS) who can help you remodel your home.

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