Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis- Polyarticular, Pauciaticular, Systemic
Different forms of arthritis, usually linked to other conditions, afflict nearly 285,000 children in the United States. The most prevalent is Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis that affects approximately 75,000 children between 6 months and 16 years of age. It is not clear what causes Rheumatoid Arthritis in children. Research indicates the body's inability to differentiate foreign invaders (bacteria and viruses) from the body's own tissue. This is an Immune Deficiency Syndrome/Autoimmune reaction where antibodies develop against components of joint tissue and begin to attack the joints within the child's own body.
There are several forms of Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis.
- Polyarticular Arthritis includes swelling pain in five or more joints. This encompasses small joints in the hand and weight-bearing joints such as the feet, knees, hip, ankles, and neck.
- Pauciarticular Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis affects four or less joints. Similar symptoms include pain, stiffness, or swelling of the affected joints. It commonly involves the knee and wrist joints. Inflammation of the iris, which is (colored part of the eye) may also occur enabling an Ophthalmologist to promptly detect this form of arthritis.
- Systemic Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis affects the whole body. The symptoms include, fevers and rashes, in addition to, joint stiffness and pain. The fevers and rashes usually come and go. The spleen and lymph nodes may also enlarge.
Many viral infections can cause arthritis symptoms. If the symptoms continue for more than 6 weeks, the doctor may perform additional tests or refer the child to a specialist. Symptoms of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis may start out subtle like stiffness in the neck or hips, sore wrists, fingers, or knees. More severe symptoms may include limping, rashes, and fevers. The fevers linked to systemic juvenile rheumatoid arthritis usually spike up in the evening and drop down during the day.
For the inflammation and pain related to juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, the doctor may prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Common NSAIDs include ibuprofen and naproxen. This type of medication may have unpleasant side effects so the dosage may need to be monitored by the child's physician. It is important for the child to maintain regular exercise. The muscles around the joints must be kept strong to help protect the joints. Exercise helps maintain range of motion in the synovial joints. Avoid high impact activities such as running and tennis. Walking, swimming, and other water exercises are the best way to increase muscle strength. In addition, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis patients must maintain a specific diet, avoiding food that could aggravate symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.
Try Växa's Arthritin, a homeopathic medicinal that offers a natural alternative for arthritis without the long-term use and subsequent dangers of NSAID's (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs) such as common aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, and others. Arthritin is a specially blended advanced homeopathic medicinal which has been designed to complement the body's natural ability to provide fast, safe and effective comfort for the symptoms of Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis, as well as subsequently reduce the "burning" of target joint areas and increase mobility.
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