As we age, our bodies have many more twinges and creaks and groans.
Doing things we used to take for granted, such as exercising or working in the yard, take a higher toll on us, and it takes us much longer to recover. This is an expected part of growing older, but hundreds of thousands of children also feel this often debilitating pain.
Juvenile arthritis is a reality that starts out as a minor discomfort, but can develop into a disabling condition.
Juvenile arthritis is an autoimmune disease that affects the joints. They become inflamed and range of motion is severely limited. This disease strikes at a crucial stage of development, and children who suffer from it may not grow at the same pace as other children or reach their full height potential.
It is common for children with juvenile arthritis to experience stiffness in their joints in the morning.
This and other signs may indicate that a child has juvenile arthritis. Since there is no one single test for this disease, doctors must rule out other possible causes for joint stiffness and pain. Barring other conditions, and providing the symptoms last for six weeks or more, then the child is usually diagnosed with juvenile arthritis.
Pediatric rheumotologists are specialists in this form of arthritis. Often, a primary care physician will refer children to a pediatric rheumotologist for final diagnosis.
It is vital to a child for their parents and care givers to understand their disease in order to have realistic physical expectations of them. This joint pain and inflammation is very real and can be very painful.
Three types of juvenile arthritis can afflict a young body. Pauciarticular juvenile arthritis affects four or fewer joints; polyarticular juvenile arthritis affects five or more joints; and systemic onset juvenile arthritis affects at least one joint and causes inflammation of internal organs as well.
Any treatment program for juvenile arthritis is meant to alleviate discomfort of the sufferer. This is achieved by controlling inflammation, preventing or controlling joint damage and maximizing joint and bodily functions.
A key component of a child’s treatment will be exercise. This helps prevent the joints from becoming tense or inflamed.
Movements that relax the muscles and joints, such as yoga, are often very effective in treatment of juvenile arthritis. When used with relaxation techniques like meditation, it can help take tension away from the joints. Splints also do this. Since many children experience pain or stiffness in the morning, wearing splints at night can be very helpful.
If the type and presentation of juvenile arthritis is especially severe or debilitating, the child may need to see additional specialists.
Since arthritis can affect the whole body, it is important to have all areas checked on a regular basis for signs of inflammation.
It is common for children coping with juvenile arthritis to become depressed. Their disease may impose physical limitations on their activities that isolate them from their peers. Psychologists should also be an integral part of the health care team.
It is vital to understand the child’s feelings and maximize their potential by highlighting their abilities rather than their limitations.
Stress is detrimental to health and serves no purpose in the treatment of juvenile arthritis. Therefore be sure to reassure the child in a way the causes them the least amount of stress.
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categories: Juvenile Arthritis,arthritis,diseases,disease,joint pain
