juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis
The types, causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and the treatment methods of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis have been described in this article.
"Juvenile" or "childhood" arthritis is a disease occurring in children below the age of sixteen. The affected children experience pain, stiffness, and swelling in one or more joints. This trio is called inflammation. This inflammation is present for more than six weeks. The prevalent form of this type is called juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA). Almost 50,000 children in the United States are suffering from this disease.
Types
- Polyarticular JRA: It affects more girls than boys. The small joints of the hand and the weight-bearing joints are affected. There is swelling or pain in minimum 5 joints.
- Pauciarticular JRA: The knee and wrist joints are generally affected. Inflammation of maximum four joints is observed. Additionally, the iris may be inflamed with or without active joint symptoms.
- Systemic JRA: There is initial fever that increases in the evening and abruptly comes back to normal. During fever, the child may develop a rash. This rash may all of a sudden disappear and reappear. The spleen and lymph nodes increase in size. Finally, many joints of the body are inflamed.
- Limping or a sore wrist, knee, or finger
- Joints may swell and appear enlarged
- Stiffness in the neck, hips, and other joints
- Appearance and disappearance of rashes
- High fevers that rise during the evening and suddenly disappear
- Complete blood count to evaluate basic cellular components of blood, like red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets
- Blood culture to determine the presence of bacteria in the bloodstream
- Bone marrow examination to test blood in the bone marrow for deciding about leukemia
- Test to check the erythrocyte sedimentation rate, which increases with inflammation
- Test to check the rheumatoid factor, which is an antibody produced in the blood of children with some type of JRA
- Antinuclear antibody is used to detect autoimmunity and the possibility of eye disease with JRA
- Bone scan to determine alterations in bone and joints to analyze the reasons of unexplained bone and joint pain
- Medication Non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, or Nuprin), aspirin, naproxen or naproxen sodium (Naprosyn or Aleve) limits the release of harmful chemicals from white blood cells, and thereby, decreases inflammation and pain. If NSAIDs are not effective, the doctor may recommend other new medications. Sometimes, Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), like methotrexate are used to slow the progression of JRA. However, these require weeks or months to relieve the symptoms. Those having severe JRA are treated with Corticosteroids, like prednisone to control severe symptoms, like inflammation of the sac surrounding the heart. This medication is given through the mouth or directly into the vein.
- Physical Therapy Certain range-of-motion exercises are recommended to regain flexibility in stiff and sore joints. Other exercises enable to build strength and endurance.
- Regular Exercise In the presence of pain, children desire to lie down still. However, it is vital to follow a regular exercise program. Strong and healthy muscles support and protect joints. Walking, swimming, and bicycling (outdoor or indoor stationary) must be executed. Before exercise, a warm-up is necessary. A balanced diet involving a lot of calcium promotes bone health.