When you think about arthritis, you may think about a condition that effects older people. But did you know, according to the Arthritis Foundation, that nearly 300,000 children in the United States are affected by the condition?
Juvenile arthritis (JA), is a term used to describe the many autoimmune and inflammatory conditions or pediatric rheumatic diseases that can develop in children ages 16 and younger, explains the Arthritis Foundation. There are a number of different types of juvenile arthritis, however juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) or juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) is considered the most common form.
- Pain. While your child might not complain of joint pain, you may notice that he or she limps — especially first thing in the morning or after a nap.
- Swelling. Joint swelling is common but is often first noticed in larger joints like the knee.
- Stiffness. You might notice that your child appears clumsier than usual, particularly in the morning or after naps.
JIA can affect one joint or many, or even the entire body. Symptoms can flare up and disappear. JIA can cause serious complications to the eyes to growth in general, if not monitored and treated.
According to the Mayo Clinic, with JIA, with body’s immune system attacks its own cells and tissues. Scientists are not sure why this happens, however heredity and the environment are believed to play a role.
There is no cure for JA, however with an early diagnosis and proper treatment (which may include medication, therapy, life and/or surgery), remission is probable. The purpose of treatment is to ease inflammation and control pain. An important part of treatment is teaching the child the significance of following it as prescribed.
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