Respiratory system
The effects of AS are rarely observed in the lungs. When the bones joining the ribs and spine fuse with each other, it can cause bad chest wall movement. After a while, you begin to experience breathing problems.
Some people may experience fibrosis or scarring in the upper portion of the lungs. As a result, the ability to resist respiratory infections is lost. Doctors advise people that have Ankylosing spondylitis to stop smoking.
Your doctor can detect some respiratory problems by listening to your breathing. Inflammation in the upper area of your lungs can be observed on a chest X-ray.