All You Need To Know About Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis

Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, also known as JRA is a condition effecting children and is a type of arthritis. The condition is also known as childhood arthritis, Juvenile idiopathic arthritis or Still’s disease.

Juvenile arthritis, like any other type of arthritis is characterized by the inflammation of joints and it tends to last for about 6 weeks. This condition is commonly seen on children who are less than 16 years of age and is probably one of the common forms of arthritis that affects children. Most of the times, the symptoms of the juvenile rheumatoid arthritis tends to fade over time; it might take a few months or even a year to relieve completely.

However, the condition can as well be very complicated. The classification of this type of arthritis is done on the basis of the joint that has been affected, the symptoms and the results of the tests carried out. Treatment is based on the results derived. The focus of the treatment procedures lie in preserving the physical activities of the child in order to allow proper movements of the joint and preventing further damage. Also, controlling the pain is a major factor.

Symptoms:

Symptoms of Juvenile RA are likely to depend on the types of the disease as noted below;

Polyarticular JRA: This tends to affect five or more than five joints and particularly the smaller ones, like the joints in our hands and our feet.

Pauciarticular JRA: This condition usually affects fewer joints, mostly 4 joints and typically the ones in the knees. This is a very common JRA form.

Systematic JRA: Still’s disease or Systematic JRA can affect various parts of the body; it not only affects the joints, but can also hit the internal organs. This is a rare form of JRA.

The above mentioned types of JRA have different symptoms, but the only common factor is the pain associated with it. However, the common symptoms of all these forms are noted below:

Swelling of the joints, stiffness and pin.
Rash.
Fever.
Inflammation of the lymph nodes.
Inflamed eyes.

Sometimes, the symptoms of JRA might disappear as well.

Cause:

The cause of arthritis is still a mystery and it is the same with this type of arthritis. However, doctors claim that as this is an autoimmune disorder, the immune system of the body tends to attack its own tissues and cells. This can be a potential cause. Also, heredity can be another potential factor that could trigger JRA.

Diagnosis

If the symptoms of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis are observed in a child, tests become mandatory. The process would involve the routine examinations like blood sample tests, X-rays etc. In some cases Joint fluid removal might also be done.

Treatments

Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis treatments are specially meant to enable your child to get back to normal state of life. In order to accomplish the task, doctors combine various treatment strategies like medications and therapies to relieve the inflammation and pain and also prevent further complications.

The medications also depend on the severity of the disease and therefore, while some of the children might just be treated with pain relievers, some others would need stringer medicines to minimize the progression of JRA. Some of the commonly used medicines are:

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs
Celecobix or Celebrax
Disease-modifying ant rheumatic drugs or DMARDs
Tumor necrosis factor or TNF blockers
Corticosteroids
Therapies.

The course of treatment would be determined by the specialist.

Summary:

Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis can affect any child and would have similar symptoms like the adults. The disease tends to progress very fast amongst children and sometimes might also lead to disability. Though there are treatment options, but not all of them work for every one.