When we hear or see the word “arthritis”, most of us will think of the elderly people in our lives who navigate and deal with the frustrations that come with being arthritic. What we do not hear often are the incidents of the children that are also affected by arthritis.
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), also known as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, is a rare, inflammatory disease that causes joint pain, stiffness, and swelling in children below the ages of 16, yet it is more common in children age 5 and younger.
The areas of the body that are usually affected include the feet, hands, knees, and wrists. The discomfort can be worse after naptime or in the morning. Girls are also more likely to have JIA.
Causes of JIA
You are probably wondering how a young child can develop JIA so early in life.
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There are two factors that trigger the body’s defense system to mistake its own cells as foreign bodies, causing them to attack and causing inflammation and swelling in the joints for more than six weeks in children.
First, viruses and other environmental factors trigger the development of what can be a lifelong condition for children.
Second, JIA can be hereditary and connected to family history. If you have a history of arthritis, you may even worry about the likelihood of your own children getting JIA. What should you look for in your children?
Common Symptoms of JIA
Some symptoms of JIA that you may notice in your children include:
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- Anemia
- Blurry vision or dry eyes
- Fatigue
- Intermittent high fever
- Loss of appetite
- Rashes
How to Diagnosis JIA
As soon as you see or are made aware of any of these symptoms in your children, you will want to get a diagnosis immediately, which may entail the following procedures:
- CT Scan to identify joint damage
- Lab Examination to have several tests performed
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to detail joint damage and severity
- Physical Examination with your doctor to have joints checked for redness and swelling
- Ultrasound to provide a detailed view of the joints
It’s important to get a diagnosis as soon as possible because complications after a prolonged period can include a worse case of anemia and vision issues, in addition to joint deformity, stunted growth, and long-term pain.
Seeking advice and care from a pediatrician and/or rheumatologist, who specializes in treating arthritis, will lead to you finding the proper treatment for your child.
There are medications to assist with the relief of pain in the joints and to reduce inflammation. Surgery to repair or reconstruct affected joints and physical therapy to strengthen muscles and retain mobility in the joints are other useful options.
What to Do at Home to Help?
Diet, nutrition, and self-care are important steps that can help children with JIA. As a parent, you can do the following to help:
- Maintain the needed calcium and vitamin D with fortified cheese and eggs
- Eat fish, such as mackerel, salmon, and tuna, which is high in omega-3 fatty acids
- Exercise with your child regularly to help keep them motivated to move
- Use warm water or an ice pack to help soothe joints
Implementing these steps will help you in providing the best care for your child living with JIA.
