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Introducing juvenile arthritis
- Juvenile arthritis (JA), otherwise known as pediatric rheumatic disease, is a cover term for a number of inflammatory and rheumatic diseases that develop in kids under 16 years of age.
© Shutterstock
1 / 31 Fotos
Statistics
- JA is not super common, but it is estimated to affect up to 300,000 children and teenagers in the United States alone.
© Shutterstock
2 / 31 Fotos
Autoimmunity
- The majority of types of JA are autoimmune or autoinflammatory diseases. This means that the immune system gets confused and attacks healthy tissue and cells.
© Shutterstock
3 / 31 Fotos
Common symptoms
- In most cases of JA, sufferers experience such symptoms as joint inflammation, swelling, and pain and tenderness.
© Shutterstock
4 / 31 Fotos
Other symptoms - However, there are some types of JA that have few or no joint symptoms, and that only affect the skin and/or internal organs.
© Shutterstock
5 / 31 Fotos
Cause
- It is not known exactly what causes JA, but researchers believe that there are certain genes that may cause JA when activated by a virus, bacteria, or other external factors.
© Shutterstock
6 / 31 Fotos
Cause
- There is no evidence that external factors themselves, such as foods, toxins, allergies, or lack of vitamins, actually cause JA.
© Shutterstock
7 / 31 Fotos
Various types of JA - As described above, there are various types of JA that fall under the umbrella. The most common type is juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).
© Shutterstock
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Various types of JIA as well
- JIA itself is a cover term for six different types: oligoarthritis, polyarthritis, systemic, enthesitis-related, juvenile psoriatic arthritis, and undifferentiated.
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More types of JA
- Other types of JA include juvenile myositis, juvenile lupus, juvenile scleroderma, vasculitis, and fibromyalgia.
© Shutterstock
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Joint problems
- As described above, when it comes to JA, there are various symptoms to look out for. A common symptom in JA sufferers is joint pain, redness, and/or swelling.
© Shutterstock
11 / 31 Fotos
Joint problems - Problems in the joints may limit range of motion, and they are often worse straight after waking up, or after staying in the same position for too long.
© Shutterstock
12 / 31 Fotos
Skin complaints
- Skin symptoms of JA include a scaly red rash (psoriatic), a light spotted pink rash (systemic), a butterfly-shaped rash across the bridge of the nose and cheeks (lupus), or thick, hardened patches of skin (scleroderma).
© Shutterstock
13 / 31 Fotos
Eye trouble
- Kids who suffer with JA may also experience problems with their eyes, including dryness, pain, redness, sensitivity, and trouble seeing caused by chronic inflammation.
© Shutterstock
14 / 31 Fotos
Effect on internal organs
- When it comes to the internal organs, JA may affect the digestive tract (diarrhea and bloating), lungs (shortness or breath), and heart.
© Shutterstock
15 / 31 Fotos
Further symptoms
- Other possible symptoms include fatigue (feeling tired or run down), as well as appetite loss, and high, spiking fever.
© Shutterstock
16 / 31 Fotos
When to see a doctor
- If you suspect your child or teenager may have JA, the first port of call is the pediatrician. However, if the pediatrician agrees, they will probably refer you to a rheumatologist.
© Shutterstock
17 / 31 Fotos
At the rheumatologist's office
- The rheumatologist will ask questions about your child’s medical and family history, as well as perform tests to check for signs of JA.
© Shutterstock
18 / 31 Fotos
Treatment
- Unfortunately, there is no cure for JA. However, with early diagnosis and the right treatment, remission (little to no disease activity or symptoms) is perfectly possible to achieve.
© Shutterstock
19 / 31 Fotos
Strong plan
- A good plan to treat JA includes medication, physical activity, complementary therapies, and healthy eating habits.
© Shutterstock
20 / 31 Fotos
Medication
- There are various types of medication used to treat JA. Some medications control the disease activity itself, while others work to relieve symptoms.
© Shutterstock
21 / 31 Fotos
Medication
- Examples of drugs that control the disease activity include corticosteroids and disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs).
© Shutterstock
22 / 31 Fotos
Lifestyle choices
- It is important that children and teens make the right lifestyle choices if they are looking to manage the pain and stress of arthritis.
© Shutterstock
23 / 31 Fotos
Diet
- Firstly, they should eat a healthy and balanced diet, with lots of fatty fish, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. High-fat, sugary, and processed foods are to be avoided.
© Shutterstock
24 / 31 Fotos
Hot and cold treatments
- Heat treatments, such as heat pads and warm baths, are good for soothing stiff joints and tired muscles. Cold is best for treating acute pain.
© Shutterstock
25 / 31 Fotos
Creams, gels, and patches
- Topical creams, gels, and patches can ease the pain in a joint or muscle. Some contain the same medicine that you find in pills, while others contain nerve irritants.
© Shutterstock
26 / 31 Fotos
Mind-body therapies
- Mind-body therapies, such as meditation, deep breathing, and distraction techniques, can work wonders helping your child focus on something other than the pain.
© Shutterstock
27 / 31 Fotos
Massage and acupuncture
- Massage or acupuncture may also help reduce pain and ease stress and anxiety. If your child has a fear of needles, pressure can be used instead.
© Shutterstock
28 / 31 Fotos
Supplements
- While the use of supplements in children has rarely been studied, you may like to ask your doctor whether there is anything that could help your child with their JA.
© Shutterstock
29 / 31 Fotos
Support network
- Finally, it’s important that your child or teenager has a strong support network to help them deal with tough emotions and learn effective coping strategies. Sources: (Arthritis Foundation)
© Shutterstock
30 / 31 Fotos
© Shutterstock
0 / 31 Fotos
Introducing juvenile arthritis
- Juvenile arthritis (JA), otherwise known as pediatric rheumatic disease, is a cover term for a number of inflammatory and rheumatic diseases that develop in kids under 16 years of age.
© Shutterstock
1 / 31 Fotos
Statistics
- JA is not super common, but it is estimated to affect up to 300,000 children and teenagers in the United States alone.
© Shutterstock
2 / 31 Fotos
Autoimmunity
- The majority of types of JA are autoimmune or autoinflammatory diseases. This means that the immune system gets confused and attacks healthy tissue and cells.
© Shutterstock
3 / 31 Fotos
Common symptoms
- In most cases of JA, sufferers experience such symptoms as joint inflammation, swelling, and pain and tenderness.
© Shutterstock
4 / 31 Fotos
Other symptoms - However, there are some types of JA that have few or no joint symptoms, and that only affect the skin and/or internal organs.
© Shutterstock
5 / 31 Fotos
Cause
- It is not known exactly what causes JA, but researchers believe that there are certain genes that may cause JA when activated by a virus, bacteria, or other external factors.
© Shutterstock
6 / 31 Fotos
Cause
- There is no evidence that external factors themselves, such as foods, toxins, allergies, or lack of vitamins, actually cause JA.
© Shutterstock
7 / 31 Fotos
Various types of JA - As described above, there are various types of JA that fall under the umbrella. The most common type is juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).
© Shutterstock
8 / 31 Fotos
Various types of JIA as well
- JIA itself is a cover term for six different types: oligoarthritis, polyarthritis, systemic, enthesitis-related, juvenile psoriatic arthritis, and undifferentiated.
© Shutterstock
9 / 31 Fotos
More types of JA
- Other types of JA include juvenile myositis, juvenile lupus, juvenile scleroderma, vasculitis, and fibromyalgia.
© Shutterstock
10 / 31 Fotos
Joint problems
- As described above, when it comes to JA, there are various symptoms to look out for. A common symptom in JA sufferers is joint pain, redness, and/or swelling.
© Shutterstock
11 / 31 Fotos
Joint problems - Problems in the joints may limit range of motion, and they are often worse straight after waking up, or after staying in the same position for too long.
© Shutterstock
12 / 31 Fotos
Skin complaints
- Skin symptoms of JA include a scaly red rash (psoriatic), a light spotted pink rash (systemic), a butterfly-shaped rash across the bridge of the nose and cheeks (lupus), or thick, hardened patches of skin (scleroderma).
© Shutterstock
13 / 31 Fotos
Eye trouble
- Kids who suffer with JA may also experience problems with their eyes, including dryness, pain, redness, sensitivity, and trouble seeing caused by chronic inflammation.
© Shutterstock
14 / 31 Fotos
Effect on internal organs
- When it comes to the internal organs, JA may affect the digestive tract (diarrhea and bloating), lungs (shortness or breath), and heart.
© Shutterstock
15 / 31 Fotos
Further symptoms
- Other possible symptoms include fatigue (feeling tired or run down), as well as appetite loss, and high, spiking fever.
© Shutterstock
16 / 31 Fotos
When to see a doctor
- If you suspect your child or teenager may have JA, the first port of call is the pediatrician. However, if the pediatrician agrees, they will probably refer you to a rheumatologist.
© Shutterstock
17 / 31 Fotos
At the rheumatologist's office
- The rheumatologist will ask questions about your child’s medical and family history, as well as perform tests to check for signs of JA.
© Shutterstock
18 / 31 Fotos
Treatment
- Unfortunately, there is no cure for JA. However, with early diagnosis and the right treatment, remission (little to no disease activity or symptoms) is perfectly possible to achieve.
© Shutterstock
19 / 31 Fotos
Strong plan
- A good plan to treat JA includes medication, physical activity, complementary therapies, and healthy eating habits.
© Shutterstock
20 / 31 Fotos
Medication
- There are various types of medication used to treat JA. Some medications control the disease activity itself, while others work to relieve symptoms.
© Shutterstock
21 / 31 Fotos
Medication
- Examples of drugs that control the disease activity include corticosteroids and disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs).
© Shutterstock
22 / 31 Fotos
Lifestyle choices
- It is important that children and teens make the right lifestyle choices if they are looking to manage the pain and stress of arthritis.
© Shutterstock
23 / 31 Fotos
Diet
- Firstly, they should eat a healthy and balanced diet, with lots of fatty fish, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. High-fat, sugary, and processed foods are to be avoided.
© Shutterstock
24 / 31 Fotos
Hot and cold treatments
- Heat treatments, such as heat pads and warm baths, are good for soothing stiff joints and tired muscles. Cold is best for treating acute pain.
© Shutterstock
25 / 31 Fotos
Creams, gels, and patches
- Topical creams, gels, and patches can ease the pain in a joint or muscle. Some contain the same medicine that you find in pills, while others contain nerve irritants.
© Shutterstock
26 / 31 Fotos
Mind-body therapies
- Mind-body therapies, such as meditation, deep breathing, and distraction techniques, can work wonders helping your child focus on something other than the pain.
© Shutterstock
27 / 31 Fotos
Massage and acupuncture
- Massage or acupuncture may also help reduce pain and ease stress and anxiety. If your child has a fear of needles, pressure can be used instead.
© Shutterstock
28 / 31 Fotos
Supplements
- While the use of supplements in children has rarely been studied, you may like to ask your doctor whether there is anything that could help your child with their JA.
© Shutterstock
29 / 31 Fotos
Support network
- Finally, it’s important that your child or teenager has a strong support network to help them deal with tough emotions and learn effective coping strategies. Sources: (Arthritis Foundation)
© Shutterstock
30 / 31 Fotos
What is juvenile arthritis?
Learn all about this group of diseases affecting kids
© Shutterstock
The term juvenile arthritis (JA) refers not to one specific disease, but rather to a group of rheumatic and inflammatory diseases that affect kids younger than 16 years of age. The symptoms of JA range from joint pain to sore eyes, and they can be quite nasty. Luckily, there are things that youngsters suffering with JA can do to alleviate their symptoms and improve their quality of life.
Check out this gallery to learn all about juvenile arthritis.
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