Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms And Treatment
November 11, 2009
Although arthritis is usually associated with aging, children can also be affected by this disease. Arthritis occurring in children below the age 16 is known as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis or as simply juvenile arthritis.
Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis causes
Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease. The exact reason why the body’s own immune cells attack the cells and tissues of the body is unknown. It is believed that genetics and viral infection might be responsible for the disease. It has been seen that girls are more susceptible to juvenile rheumatoid arthritis than boys are. Compared to children of African and Asian descent, most juvenile rheumatoid arthritis suffers are children of European origin.
Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis symptoms
Greater the number of joints affected by juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, more severe will be the symptoms of the disease. Inflammation, pain and stiffness of the joints are the common symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. The joints of the wrist, finger and knee are usually affected by juvenile arthritis.
Types of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
There are three types of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis – oligoarthritis, polyarthritis and systemic juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. In oligoarthritis, which is also known as oligoarticular juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, four or less than four joints are affected by the disease. Besides the common symptoms of arthritis, sometimes this form of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis can be characterized by inflammation of the eyes. In rare cases, eye inflammation can lead to visual impairment. In polyarthritis or polyarticular arthritis, at least five joints are affected by arthritis. Besides joints, other organs of the body are unaffected by the disease. Systemic juvenile rheumatoid arthritis affects the entire body. Fever, skin rash and inflammation of lymph nodes and internal organs are common symptoms of the disease.
Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis treatment
If your child is suffering from joint pain or joint stiffness along with fever for over a week, you should immediately take him/her to a doctor. The earlier juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is diagnosed and treated better is it for your child’s health. Medication and physical therapy helps to reduce the symptoms of the disease. Range of motion exercises and muscle-strengthening exercises help to reduce joint stiffness and pain. Sometimes children suffering from juvenile arthritis have weak bones. Calcium, magnesium, vitamins D and K rich diet is beneficial for the health of your child’s bone.
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