Treating the Symptoms of Juvenile Arthritis

by Brad Morgan

Growing older is associated with more aches and more pains.

Doing yard work can make you sore for days; exercising makes you aware of joint and muscles that you did not know you had. Doing routine chores is a bit more difficult, and it takes our bodies longer to recover. While this is normal for aging bodies, many children also feel this frustrating physical pain or discomfort.

It begins as discomfort, but soon, juvenile arthritis can become severe and even disabling.

Juvenile arthritis is an autoimmune disease that affects the joints. They become inflamed and range of motion is severely limited. This disease strikes at a crucial stage of development, and children who suffer from it may not grow at the same pace as other children or reach their full height potential.

Joint stiffness that is apparent upon waking up in the morning is a very common sign of this disease.

This and other signs may indicate that a child has juvenile arthritis. Since there is no one single test for this disease, doctors must rule out other possible causes for joint stiffness and pain. Barring other conditions, and providing the symptoms last for six weeks or more, then the child is usually diagnosed with juvenile arthritis.

A specialist in juvenile arthritis, or a pediatric rheumatologist, is often called upon to make the final diagnosis.

When joints become inflamed, as they do with juvenile arthritis, it can be extremely painful. Children with this disease need to understand the physical limitations that they will have to live with. Parents can help by having a good understanding of the disease.

The severity and scope of juvenile arthritis differs depending on the type of arthritis. Children with polyarticular juvenile arthritis suffer from inflammation in five or more joints. Those with pauciarticular juvenile arthritis are affected in four joints or fewer, and children with systemic onset juvenile arthritis experience joint pain or inflammation in at one or more joints as well as internal organs.

Treatment of juvenile arthritis is aimed at reliving the pain, not curing the disease. The goal is to control the inflammation and try to prevent joint damage. Treatment also seeks to expand and retain the range of motion for joints and their functionality.

It is important to keep the joints relaxed and quell any swelling. Exercise is useful in achieving this and will be included in a child's treatment.

Movements that relax the muscles and joints, such as yoga, are often very effective in treatment of juvenile arthritis. When used with relaxation techniques like meditation, it can help take tension away from the joints. Splints also do this. Since many children experience pain or stiffness in the morning, wearing splints at night can be very helpful.

If the type and presentation of juvenile arthritis is especially severe or debilitating, the child may need to see additional specialists.

It is important that these specialists as well as the primary care physician routinely check the child. Juvenile arthritis can affect the entire body, including internal organs, so it is vital that any signs of inflammation are examined promptly.

Psychologists are commonly employed, as the child's inability to perform age specific tasks without assistance may trigger depression.

It is vital to understand the child's feelings and maximize their potential by highlighting their abilities rather than their limitations.

Stress often exacerbates physical illnesses, and that is certainly true of juvenile arthritis. It can impede treatment and health. Minimizing the stress of any child suffering from juvenile arthritis is essential when helping them deal with this illness.

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