What Is Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis And How Can It Be Treated?
Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is diagnosed in, and suffered by, more than 70,000 Americans and many more world wide. Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA)is diagnosed in infants, toddlers, children and young teenagers, those between the ages of six months and sixteen. As with "regular" rheumatoid arthritis, JRA is also classified as an immune deficiency syndrome, meaning that the body produces antibodies that attack its own joint tissues. The symptoms of JRA are similar to those experienced by older rheumatoid arthritis patients. The conventional symptoms of arthritis also apply here. They include stiffness in the joints, muscle pain, swelling of the joints, and an inability to accomplish everyday tasks in an efficient manner. JRA is different from the version that affects older persons in that the disease is classified into three distinct types. - Polyarticular Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis - diagnosed when swelling is present in at least five joints throughout the body, which include joints in the hands, neck, hips, knees, and ankles. - Pauciarticular Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis - is described as a form of the disease that tends to affect four or less joints. Most often, pauciarticular juvenile rheumatoid arthritis affects the joints of the wrist and knee. One distinguishing feature of pauciarticular juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is that it may also affect the eyes. As such, ophthalmologists are often among the first to diagnose cases of many cases, or see the early signs. and - Systematic Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis - refers to the fact that the disease may affect the entire body. Children afflicted with systematic juvenile rheumatoid arthritis may suffer from fevers, rashes, and of joint stiffness, overall pain and discomfort. Other symptoms that are specific to the systematic form of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis include the enlargement of the lymph nodes and the spleen. Each of these has distinct symptoms that are unique. However they also share the common symptoms associated with most types of arthritis. Also, unlike adult rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis may also encompass a host of specific side effects, including fevers, rashes, and swollen lymph nodes and spleen. Treatment for juvenile rheumatoid arthritis includes a combination of medicines and therapy options. Prescribed medicines generally consists of NSAID class drugs, including naproxen and ibuprofen. NSAID drugs are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that help control the symptoms of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Regular physical exercise is also beneficial and is considered to be a treatment. Children should receive some form of regular physical activity in order to keep the bones and muscles strong and the joints mobile and flexible. Water exercises, including swimming and exercise classes, are highly recommended, however high impact sports and activities such as running and tennis should be avoided.
