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Juvenile Arthritis (part 1) Why Does Arthritis Affect Children? |
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Juvenile Arthritis (part 1) Why Does Arthritis Affect Children?By Wendy Owen Juvenile Arthritis (part 1) Why Does Arthritis Affect Children? Many people wonder why children can develop arthritis. It hardly seems fair. Kids havent spent years rushing around a football field or spent their working lives laying concrete... Juvenile arthritis (JRA) is not a disease of wear and tear. JRA can be genetic disease, affecting children whose immune system is prone to viral attack. In fact Juvenile Arthritis is actually a group of diseases which affect children There are three main types of Juvenile arthritis (or Juvenile Chronic Arthritis). Pauciarticular, Polyarticular and Systemic. In this article well concentrate on Pauciarticular juvenile arthritis. The most common form of juvenile arthritis is Pauciarticular Juvenile Arthritis. This accounts for more than half the cases of arthritis in children. This disease seems to affect girls more than boys and usually affects the larger joints knees, ankles, elbows, and hips, these joints can become swollen and painful. It affects younger children, mainly under the age of four. Pauciarticular juvenile arthritis can also affect the eyes and should be watched carefully by an eye specialist as significant eye damage can occur as a result. Watch your child carefully if he or she develops a limp. This can be the first sign your child has developed Pauciarticular juvenile arthritis. An accurate diagnosis unfortunately cant be given much before six weeks, however medical attention should be sought as soon as there is any suspicion your child may be affected. This is most important to rule out other diseases with similar symptoms such as rheumatic fever. The treatments typically offered are those that reduce pain and inflammation for example aspirin. Although aspirin is better tolerated by children than it is by adults, it isnt without side effects. Pauciarticular juvenile arthritis can respond well to natural arthritis treatments too. Try Omega 3 oils (found in oily fish or in capsule form) and see if this can lower the dose of your childs medication while still maintaining their comfort level. A good diet with all the main food groups will help too. Exercise is vital to prevent stiffness and maintain your childs health. Exercise which doesnt further irritate the joints is the best. Swimming is excellent for this, stretching exercises are great too. If the whole family joins in it can be fun! Exercise releases endorphins into the body, endorphins are a natural antidote Juvenile arthritis is unique in that a childs joints are still growing and developing, a large part of treatment is making sure this happens as normally as possible and to monitor this growth. And now for some good news at last. Many cases of Pauciarticular juvenile arthritis can spontaneously disappear as you child grows older. This has to be the best outcome of all! This article is not intended to replace medical advice. Always seek medical advice for any childhood disease. Visit http://www.natural-arthritis-
medication.com/juvenile-arthritis.htm
for more information on juvenile and other
types of arthritis. The author Wendy Owen
is a natural health writer and researcher.
Join our list and receive a free 6 part
arthritis mini course. About the Author: htt p://www.natural-arthritis- medication.com/arthritis_articles.shtml for up to date articles on all types of arthritis. The author Wendy Owen is a natural health writer and researcher. Join our list and receive a free 6 part arthritis mini course.
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