Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis

Learning that your child has juvenile rheumatoid arthritis can seem extremely devastating. We wonder why and how can a child start out with this illness. On a good note the earlier you have a diagnosis, the sooner you can start treatment. Catching it early is having the ability to minimize the effects on your child’s life of this painful and challenging condition.

Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis is an Autoimmune Disease

Rheumatoid arthritis in juveniles really baffles the medical profession.  It is know that rheumatoid arthritis is considered an autoimmune disease that somehow causes the body to attack its own tissue.  What happens is the condition causes inflammation in the body and joints of the child.  The inflammation is very painful.  If your child is suffering of consistent pain in the joints they should be evaluated by a physician.

A doctor will perform several tests before a diagnosis can be made.  Some tests can determine the level of inflammation in the body. There are a number of other factors that are common in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.  When the diagnosis is made it is possible to begin a treatment program to minimize the impact of the disease.

Medication and Exercise

Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is treated with medication and exercise.  There are a many medications that can be used in the treatment of this type of arthritis.  The most important is that the child stays active when they are being treated for their arthritis condition.  Exercise will not impact the body by causing further damage to the joints. You can find a fun low impact exercise program with Wii Fit.

Physical Therapist

A child should see a physical therapist to determine the type of exercise plan that should be followed.  By following all of the treatments will keep the pain that is experienced to a minimum.  A close watch on the range of motion exercises should be used to make sure that the arthritis is not impacting the functioning of the joints.  Exercises that are designed to build up strength and endurance also help.

There are no cures for juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, but there are very good ways to manage the condition. Best of all there are times when the disease will go dormant. These times are referred to as a remission. When the disease is dormant or in remission, a child with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis will not have symptoms at all. The best part is that these times can last for years. During this time, your child must continue to keep a healthy lifestyle. Regular exercise can be of great help in keeping it in remission for a longer period.

It is a difficult and painful disease; juvenile rheumatoid arthritis does not mean the end of a happy and productive life. With the right kind of care and commitment, your child can gain a sense of control over the disease continue to have a happy life.