Watch Out for the Signs of Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis

Most folks likely do not realize that there are more than one hundred distinct forms of arthritis. You also may find it surprising to learn that it is not only adults who may need to contend with this ailment; children also go through it. Kids are vulnerable to a form of this disorder known as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis in children has a lot of the same symptoms as those experienced by adults. Yet there are some noteworthy differences that any parent should know more about.

Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis normally causes inflamed joints for a period of about a month and a half. This kind of arthritis is actually quite common, similar in occurrence to that of arthritis in adults. As shown by statistics, a quarter of the population will develop arthritis throughout their life span.

If medical attention is not sought, this kind of arthritis can develop complications that can endanger one's life. Children can suffer from a number of varieties of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. These are based upon the specific parts of the body that are affected along with the symptoms.

Several of the typical symptoms are joint swelling, accompanied by stiffness and pain. Swelling of the joints or bones and crippling pain might also be experienced. Following physical activity, these symptoms will be more noticeable. One may not be able to visually note pain and stiffness, however swelling will be very apparent. The swollen joint will appear red and will be tender to the touch. Afflicted joints can have devastating and painful effects on children, from limiting their range of motion to making it impossible for them to move the joints at all.

Two other possible symptoms of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis are rash and fever. The fever associated with this disorder is quite elevated, and it might simply go away on its own. If these symptoms continue, you can be certain it's not just a normal cold or flu bug. They won't simply hang around for one or two days then disappear, but instead will return on a frequent basis. The rash that accompanies the condition is pinkish in color and can come and go on various parts of the body.

Inflamed eyes are another typical indication of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. The eyes could be swollen and red, especially around the center. This is a symptom that happens almost exclusively in juvenile arthritis, therefore you're unlikely to mistakenly associate it with another illness. This problem occurs largely in children with pauciarticular JRA, and at first exhibits no signs or symptoms, but it can ultimately lead to blindness.

Children suffering from these symptoms need immediate medical attention. If you notice a case of arthritis in a young person, deal with it right away rather than avoiding the matter, thinking that it will just go away. There are a lot of ways to treat the problem and give your child relief from arthritis pain.

The problem of arthritis isn't confined to the elderly. It can also develop in younger people. Because of the painful and distressing nature of this disease, many people are becoming concerned about what causes it and how to cope with it. If you're one of them, visit Arthritis Relief to find out how you can manage this serious ailment.

Posted under arthritis

This post was written by Kim Archer on October 18, 2009

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