Juvenile Arthritis
In speaking with a 20-something old year client recently I asked, “diabetic…no, hypertensive…no, any other ailments? Oh well I’ve had JA since I was about 14.” It didn’t click immediately, as she said it in the most normal tone because it’s her reality. “You get pains?” . . . her response “Oh yeah sometimes in the knees and joints,” and I thought to myself – we really have to be thankful in the little things, cause here is this young, vibrant woman living with an ailment that she has no guarantees would leave her – yet her spirits are high.
It is an excellent example to us all. So at this time you may be wondering what is JA? Certainly not what it meant to me at the age she developed it. JA at that time was to me the acronym for Junior Achievement; however, in the medical world it’s Juvenile Arthritis. Some people would ask are you for real, kids suffer from that too! They sure do . . . that, diabetes, cancer and many other terrible diseases. A sad but true reality, so let’s get into it…
What is Juvenile Arthritis?
It is the terminology used to describe the various types of arthritis that affect children. While somewhat rare, the fact is it does exist. The three main types are:
• Pauciarticular juvenile arthritis – the most common type, it tends to affect up to four joints and usually affects the larger joints like the knees or ankles. Eye disease affects about 20 to 30 percent of children with pauciarticular juvenile arthritis. Many children with the disease outgrow it by adulthood, although eye problems may continue and joint symptoms can recur in some persons.
• Polyarthritis – this tends to affect five or more joints and is more common in girls. Smaller joints like the hands and feet are affected more, although larger joints may also be susceptible. It often affects the same joint on both sides of the body. Some children with polyarticular disease have a more severe form of the disease which is considered to be the same as adult rheumatoid arthritis.
• Systemic juvenile arthritis – this type affects both the joints and internal organs, causing rashes and fever. A small percentage of children develop arthritis in many joints and can have severe arthritis that continues into adulthood.
When joints swell, and remain inflamed for over two months, and nothing can be identified, it is referred to as juvenile chronic arthritis or juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.
This can occur at any time in a child’s development, but tends to start between the ages of one and four; but it can also pop up in the teenage years.
How does Juvenile Arthritis differ from Adult Arthritis?
The major difference is that some children tend to outgrow the ailment while adults have lifelong symptoms. Bone and growth development can also be affected.
Another difference between juvenile and adult rheumatoid arthritis is the percentage of people who are positive for the Rheumatoid Factor (RF). It is present in 80% of adults who have rheumatoid arthritis, but there is a much lower prevalence in juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. The presence of the Rheumatoid Factor indicates an increased chance that juvenile rheumatoid arthritis will continue into adulthood.
Causes
It is an autoimmune disorder which means that the body mistakenly identifies some of its own cells and tissues as foreign. The immune system, which normally helps to fight off harmful, foreign substances such as bacteria or viruses, begins to attack healthy cells and tissues. The result is inflammation – marked by redness, heat, pain, and swelling. Doctors do not know why the immune system goes awry in children who develop arthritis. Scientists suspect that it is a two-step process. First, something in a child’s genetic makeup gives them a tendency to develop arthritis; and then an environmental factor, such as a virus, triggers the development of it.
Symptoms and Signs
Common symptoms are:
• persistent joint swelling
• pain
• stiffness
• limping in the morning
• high fever
• light pink rash
• eye inflammation
Symptoms of arthritis come and go. In instances where it worsens, you are considered to have a flare.
Prognosis on Juvenile Arthritis
Children with the different forms of the disease usually improve with proper therapy. The majority of children with arthritis grow up to lead normal lives without significant difficulty. Even for severe cases, with proper medications, proper physical and occupational therapy, and proper surgery if necessary, hardly ever children with arthritis should need a wheelchair.
There are three important things for every child or adolescent with arthritis. These are:
• correct recognition and diagnosis
• appropriate treatment by a specialist
• proper education of the patient and family.
Treatment
With the right treatment, children’s symptoms improve. Exercise regimes aid in mobility and pain management, especially certain stretches, walking and swimming. When joints are excessively swollen and painful, splints and assistive aids may sometimes be necessary. Anti-inflammatory and pain relieving medication also help. Arthritis might affect the body, but it must never be allowed to affect the mind, especially of our young people, who represent the future generation.
Your feet mirror your general health . . . cherish them!
WhatsApp us!
Not to be within the perceive most of the time, I tend to dont like posts about this subject increasingly additional however since you write it in vogue conjointly your own way, we gotta say actually is truly 1 of those great post to recollect.
Im impressed, I must say. really rarely do I discovered a blog thats both educative and entertaining, and let me tell you, youve hit the nail on the top. Your opinion is outstanding; the matter is something that not a lot of people are speaking intelligently about. Im very happy that I stumbled across this in my hunt for something concerning it.
your site is very superb!!!
We are now loads of volunteers together with starting a whole new schemes of our own city. Your web location provided us helpful specifics to works of art about. You’ve performed a notable approach as well as this totally city may be grateful in your direction.
Youre so right. Im there with you. Your blog is definitely worth a read if anybody comes throughout it. Im lucky I did because now Ive obtained a whole new view of this. I didnt realise that this issue was so important and so universal. You absolutely put it in perspective for me.
Kudos for the great article. I am glad I have taken the time to learn this.
This is a attention-grabbing article by the way. I am going to go ahead and bookmark this post for my brother to check out later on tonight. Keep up the excellent work.
My hubby and I arrived here simply because this particular webpage had been tweeted by a woman I had been following and am pleased I made it here.
Fantastic Stuff, do you have a bebo account?
This became a good study we thoroughly know wherever you could be via inside the lastly passage. Outstanding publish, I’ll undeniably see the many other content pieces.
Hi! WONDERFUL Post.thanks for share..more wait ..
Awesome Blogpost!
I admire this article for the well-researched content and excellent wording. I got so involved in this material that I couldn’t stop reading. I am impressed with your work and skill. Thank you so much. http://www.samsung1080phdtv.net/
Thank you for contributing this great original informative content. Your article has given me much to think about. I think the points you make are valid and I concur with a lot of your material. http://www.samsung1080phdtv.net/
I used to have a website that I used to cover this, but it got spammed to death. You seem to be better at weeding out the spam than I did! Dont give up!
Hi there, just became alert to your blog via Google,my site is http://www.chilggoooto.com
It’s appropriate time to make some plans for the longer term and it is time to be happy. I have read this post and if I may I desire to recommend you some interesting things or tips. Perhaps you can write subsequent articles regarding this article. I wish to read even more issues approximately it!
I lately read about blogengine and i was questioning for those who could tell me where i may very well be in a position to discover decent training or videos on ways to use blog engine correctly? Thanks alot
Very nice post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wished to say that I have really enjoyed browsing your blog posts. After all I will be subscribing to your feed and I hope you write again soon!
Thanks for a tremendous post, may examine one’s others content. i appreciate your ideas on this, I experienced a bit made an impact to by this short article. Many thanks again! You earn a good point. Displays the beauty through excellent facts here. I feel if a greater number of people thought of it doing this, they’d have a very better moment in time have the suspend ofing the issue.
Great work! This is the type of information that should be shared around the web. Shame on Google for not positioning this post higher! Come on over and visit my website . Thanks =)
Definitely, what a great website and instructive posts, I definitely will bookmark your site.All the Best!
Wow! This could be one particular of the most helpful blogs We have ever arrive across on this subject. Actually Wonderful. I’m also a specialist in this topic therefore I can understand your hard work.
I think other site proprietors should take this site as an model, very clean and wonderful user friendly style and design, as well as the content. You are an expert in this topic!
fantastic post, very informative. I wonder why the other experts of this sector don’t notice this. You must continue your writing. I’m sure, you’ve a great readers’ base already!
Thanks for sharing superb informations. Your web-site is very cool. I am impressed by the details that you’ve on this web site. It reveals how nicely you perceive this subject. Bookmarked this web page, will come back for extra articles. You, my pal, ROCK! I found simply the information I already searched all over the place and just couldn’t come across. What a perfect web site.
Pretty nice post. I just stumbled upon your weblog and wished to say that I have really enjoyed surfing around your blog posts. After all I will be subscribing to your rss feed and I hope you write again very soon!
You should take part in a contest for probably the greatest blogs on the web. I’ll advocate this website!
magnificent points altogether, you simply gained a brand new reader. What would you suggest about your post that you made some days ago? Any positive?
I don’t even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was great. I don’t know who you are but certainly you are going to a famous blogger if you aren’t already 😉 Cheers!
I like this weblog it’s a master piece! Glad I noticed this on google.
Dead indited content , regards for information .