Growing older is associated with more aches and more pains.

Tasks require more effort than they did in the earlier years, and you still feel the day’s work a week, or maybe even two, later. Unfortunately, this pain is also experienced by hundreds of thousands of children every year.

What starts as discomfort or minor irritation can become severe pain. For some, juvenile arthritis can be debilitating.

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.

There is no definitive test available that determines if a child has juvenile arthritis. Symptoms persist over the course of six weeks, and when all other possibilities have been ruled out as the causation of the joint pain and discomfort, the diagnosis of juvenile arthritis is usually given.

Pediatric rheumotologists are specialists in this form of arthritis. Often, a primary care physician will refer children to a pediatric rheumotologist for final diagnosis.

It is vital to a child for their parents and care givers to understand their disease in order to have realistic physical expectations of them. This joint pain and inflammation is very real and can be very painful.

The severity and scope of juvenile arthritis differs depending on the type of arthritis. Children with polyarticular juvenile arthritis suffer from inflamation 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.

The goal of juvenile arthritis treatment is to relieve pain and treat symptoms. First, inflammation must be controlled. It is also important to try to minimize joint damage and to retain mobility.

Exercising to keep the joints from tensing and becoming inflamed will be an element of a child’s therapy.

Exercise can be used in conjunction with relaxation techniques characteristic of yoga and meditation to help ease the stress within the joints. Splints can also be used during hours of sleep to prevent morning stiffness.

It is important to consult with specialists in juvenile arthritis, particularly if the child’s condition is severe.

Pediatric rheumatologists and primary care physicians are important members of the health team. Any and all signs of inflammation should be checked because juvenile arthritis can affect bodily functions.

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 is detrimental to health and serves no purpose in the treatment of juvenile arthritis. Therefore be sure to reassure the child in a way the causes them the least amount of stress.

Tags: Arthritis

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