Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis in Children
November 19, 2008
This is a type of arthritis that affects mostly children. It is mostly characterized by inflamed, swollen, stiff and painful joints. Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis leads to inflammation in the joints of younger children.
Types of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
Various types of the disease exist. The types are determined by the symptoms, and also the joints affected. The test results are also used to classify the disease. The disease can generally be grouped into three types: pauciarticular, polyarticular and systemic JRA.
Causes of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
It is believed that children who have certain genetic markers are susceptible to JRA. There are some bacterial and viral infections suspected to be factors that’s that trigger the disease. These are generally considered as the causes of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Certain genetic and environmental factors are believed to be the main causes of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.
It is an autoimmune process. This is because the symptoms start as result of the body’s immune system responds wrongly to certain things. The disease is found in children less than 16 years old.
Symptoms of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
People suffering from the disease feel some uneasiness during walking. Other symptoms of the disease may include fever and rash, swelling of the lymph nodes, inflammation of the eyes muscle pain, weight loss and growth problems.
Diagnosis of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
This disease can be properly diagnosed through some laboratory test. Some of these are erythrocyte sedimentation rate determination, anti-nuclear antibody and the rheumatoid factor. An X-ray could also help in the sense that other conditions like tumors; fractures, infections and congenital defects may be ruled out of the diagnosis.
Treating juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
For treating juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, an effective plan should be made. This includes surgery and non-surgical strategies. There are some medications which could be taken as part of the non-surgical strategies. A lot of cases of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis have been treated using this strategy. This involves taking of herbal preparations. There are no known side effects of herbal treatments. This is the advantage it has over other methods.
Physiotherapy, when it is properly planned could also help in managing the disease. This helps restore flexibility to the joints. It also builds up endurance and strength.
The symptoms could become very severe at times leading to bleeding joints and or impairment of certain organs leading to disability. In this case, surgery becomes a necessary option.


























