Many people wonder why children can develop arthritis. It hardly seems fair. Kids haven't spent years rushing around a football field or spent their working lives laying concrete... Juvenile arthritis (JRA) is not a disease of wear & tear. JRA can be genetic disease, affecting children whose immune system is prone to viral attack. In fact Juvenile Arthritis is actually a group of diseases which affect children There are three main types of Juvenile arthritis (or Juvenile Chronic Arthritis). Pauciarticular, Polyarticular and Systemic. In this article we'll concentrate on Pauciarticular juvenile arthritis. The most common form of juvenile arthritis is Pauciarticular Juvenile Arthritis. This accounts for more than half the cases of arthritis in children. This disease seems to affect girls more than boys and usually affects the larger joints knees, ankles, elbows, and hips, these joints can become swollen and painful. It affects younger children, mainly under the age of four. Pauciarticular juvenile arthritis can also affect the eyes and should be watched carefully by an eye specialist as significant eye damage can occur as a result. Watch your child carefully if he or she develops a limp. This can be the first sign your child has developed Pauciarticular juvenile arthritis. An accurate diagnosis unfortunately can't be given much before six weeks, however medical attention should be sought as soon as there is any suspicion your child may be affected. This is most important to rule out other diseases with similar symptoms such as rheumatic fever. The treatments typically offered are those that reduce pain and inflammation for example aspirin. Although aspirin is better tolerated by children than it is by adults, it isn't without side effects. Pauciarticular juvenile arthritis can respond well to natural arthritis treatments too. Try Omega 3 oils (found in oily fish or in capsule form) and see if this can lower the dose of your child's medication while still maintaining their comfort level. A good diet with all the main food groups will help too. Exercise is vital to prevent stiffness and maintain your child's health. Exercise which doesn't further irritate the joints is the best. Swimming is excellent for this, stretching exercises are great too. If the whole family joins in it can be fun! Exercise releases endorphins into the body, endorphins are a natural antidote to pain and depression. Juvenile arthritis is unique in that a child's joints are still growing and developing, a large part of treatment is making sure this happens as normally as possible and to monitor this growth. And now for some good news at last. Many cases of Pauciarticular juvenile arthritis can spontaneously disappear as you child grows older. This has to be the best outcome of all! This article is not intended to replace medical advice. Always seek medical advice for any childhood disease. |
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