Junior rheumatoid arthritis is characterized as an autoimmune disorder that impacts children 16 years old and younger. In North America, approximately 300,000 children are affected by it and is the most prevalent type of arthritis among children. Autoimmune diseases, such as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, result when the body’s immune system begins to attack itself, specifically joints. This causes inflammation, pain, and ultimately damage. Unfortunately, no known cure for junior rheumatoid arthritis exists. Symptoms appear and disappear during the life of the patient.

Symptoms

Joint pain is one of the junior rheumatoid arthritis symptoms that starts off bad in the morning and gets better as the day progresses. Also, the child may display a temper and experience fatigue, while possibly in the evenings have a fever. Other common symptoms include rashes and swollen lymph nodes. You should take your child to the doctor to get diagnosed as soon as possible, if he or she shows any of these symptoms. The symptoms can be typically managed more effectively when treated early.

Types of Junior Rheumatoid Arthritis

The type of treatment and the diagnosis of junior rheumatoid arthritis can get complicated sometimes because of many types that are out there. Pauciarticular JRA is one type and is the most common, it’s described as pain in several of the bigger joints, such as the knees. Another type is polyarticular JRA, which affects smaller joints such as the feet and fingers. Only one side of the body is affected by this type of arthritis.

Systemic juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is the last type, and is also known Still’s disease. Internal organs and joints are affected by this illness, and is considered to be the least common form of junior rheumatoid arthritis. Psoriatric arthritis can also occur in some cases, and it involves a skin condition that is located on top of the join damage.

Treatment Options

Medication is the most commonly used treatment for junior rheumatoid arthritis and is designed to provide pain relief and disrupt the progress of the disease. While some children may only need medication to relieve pain, others who have more severe forms of arthritis may need to take other medication to slow the disease down and suppress the immune system.

Physical therapy has also shown to be effective in many cases, as it helps with proper functioning of joints, muscles, and bones. Occupational therapy helps children learn to complete tasks and be involved in activities in spite of the disease.

As mentioned, there isn’t a known cure at the moment for junior rheumatoid arthritis. However, getting it diagnosed early in the process and receiving effective treatment can provide relief for children and help them live a quality life.