Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) is far more dangerous when compared with regular rheumatoid arthritis. This is because it affects children up to 16 years old and their bodies are not capable of coping to the degree of destruction experienced. Also, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is not just one disease. It is a group of diseases that have one thing in common: joint inflammation. We can characterize it by the number of joints affected. If less than 5 present symptoms we are dealing with pauciarticular.
In most cases this type of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis presents symptoms linked with the large joints of the body like elbows, knees, shoulders or hips. Children under 8 are more likely to develop this type of JRA. If 5 or more joints are affected we are dealing with polyarticular juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Symptoms are also felt in smaller joints. The third and most dangerous type of JRA stands in systemic disease, which affects several systems of the body. Fevers, skin rashes and problems with internal organs are likely to develop.
Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis symptoms vary from case to case. In most cases we are dealing with more than one symptom and they usually tend to get worse or better and even go away in many occasions. The most common symptom stands in joint pain, stiffness and swelling. Children tend to not report pain and this makes it harder to realize what the individual is suffering from.
Limps could also appear and in this case we are dealing with a more severe case of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. In most cases you will find limps in the knee area. Another common symptom stands in joint deformity as they tend to grow in an asymmetrical way. Children suffering from JRA might also develop eye inflammation. This is a very dangerous symptom as it can lead to loss of vision. If the eyes are sensible to light or present irritation, redness or pain, there is an immediate need to consult a doctor.
Fevers are quite common when talking about children but when they are recurring, they could be a juvenile rheumatoid arthritis symptom. If the fever seems to be too high and then disappears without any reason it could be that JRA is there. Unexplained appearance and disappearance of rashes are also very common.
Other rare juvenile rheumatoid arthritis symptoms include myalgia, lymph node swelling, weight loss and growth problems. It is very important that children that experience some of these symptoms are taken to a specialist as soon as possible.
When dealing with any type of rheumatoid arthritis it is very important to always stay informed. There is various research conducted on several topics and in different locations around the world as you read these lines. Parents usually tend to consult various publications and find alternative treatment solutions that might not be as beneficial as they think. This is why rheumatoid arthritis foundations are established and aim to keep everybody involved informed and capable of making decisions by knowing everything that needs to be known.
Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis foundations are rarely established because they should be a part of regular rheumatoid arthritis foundations. Although there are differences between the two conditions, they both have the same base, which stands in the way the condition affects joints. When dealing with children suffering from juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, there is a need to handle the situation differently when compared with adults suffering from regular rheumatoid arthritis. Information is the key to maintaining a good, healthy life that affected as little as possible by any type of arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis foundations play a very important role in the development of various treatments and techniques together with providing the needed information for those that need it. This is linked with both rheumatoid arthritis and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.
People do not know much about juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, foundations and basically about how to handle the disease. We all tend to get informed only after we or friends, family members start suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. In most cases, parents do not know anything about juvenile rheumatoid arthritis or tend to treat it as regular rheumatoid arthritis. Individuals avoid doctors and this is very dangerous. Rheumatoid arthritis foundations aim to make information available and can be an important factor in informing parents on what juvenile rheumatoid arthritis really is and how it needs to be treated.
If your child is suffering from juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, you need to get informed about the condition and consulting material issued by rheumatoid arthritis foundations or attending various meetings is a very good way of doing this. You will meet people that are specialists in the field and even some that have children suffering from juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Sharing experiences and treatment solutions that work can be very important. One thing needs to be kept in mind though. Always consult your doctor when thinking about using a different treatment as he/she is the only person that should give the go ahead.
