In general, arthritis is one of the very most well known diseases, and most people are also aware of the fact that it is the cause of swelling and pain in the joints of the body.  Although many people think of arthritis as a disease that affects older people more than anyone else, the truth is different.  In reality, young people are also quite susceptible to this potentially painful illness.  Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis can affect children from six months to six years old, something that mothers are sure to be very concerned about.

A Confusing and Saddening Condition

Another piece of disturbing information that will confuse and dishearten many parents is that it is believed that as many as half a million young American children are affected by some form of arthritis or the other. Whats more, the most common form of juvenile arthritis is the one known as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) that affects a tenth of those half million young American children.

Also discouraging is the fact that the causes of juvenile arthritis are not yet fully understood.  Research into the disease has shown, however, that an immune system that has ceased to function normally and can no longer tell the difference between healthy and diseased cells is responsible for arthritis. 

When the immune system gets confused in this way, it releases chemicals designed to fight off cells that are dangerous to the body.  These chemicals, though, end up attacking healthy cells.  This is what causes inflammation and pain associated with arthritis.

Genetic issues can also be responsible for the development of juvenile arthritis.  Additionally, it can be caused by certain viruses.  Juvenile arthritis is usually experienced with symptoms like fever, swelling of the joints near the knuckles, and swelling of four or more additional joints.

There are three main forms of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.  They are polyarticular arthritis, systemic juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, and pauciarticular arthritis.

The first of these three forms of arthritis is more apparent in girls than in boys.  The second causes symptoms all over the body and is often accompanied by a high temperature that rises, falls, and then rises again.  The third tends to affect up to four different joints and causes stiffness, swelling, and pain.

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Author: Fernanda B.Sc, Pharm, M.H.

You will find greater than one hundred distinct forms of arthritis and rheumatic diseases. Within the more widely understood conditions are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout and lupus. When I reflect on arthritis disease the single form that steals the spotlight is one of the more debilitating types of arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) causes distress for about 1% of the residents of North America and shows up three times more often in females than in men.  It can occur at any age but usually the age of onset is between 50 and 60. This arthritis disease is a chronic, advancing plight that causes the lining of your joints to become inflamed.

 
Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic disease meaning that it produces an affect on the entire body. As this arthritis disease moves forward it can not only impair the tendons, ligaments, cartilage and bone in the joints but also other places in the body such as your lungs and blood vessels.

 
Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune disease meaning that the body’s immune system is not functioning properly. The immune system doesn’t acknowledge it’s own tissue and treats it like aliens. With this type of arthritis disease the immune system assaults the joints and surrounding tissue resulting in long term harm.

Symptoms can arrive very hastily or at a slow pace and the arthritis disease has intervals of time when it is bothering you and periods where you are not bothered. When the disease is active, symptoms may include fatigue, lack of appetite, low grade fever, muscle and joint aches and stiffness. Muscle and joint stiffness are usually notable in the beginning of your day and after sessions of inactivity. In Rheumatoid arthritis joints are usually swollen and painful in a symmetrical pattern (both sides of the body affected). Joints in the hands and wrists are usually harmed.

See your doctor if you are feeling some of the noted symptoms.  He will carry out a physical examination while asking about your medical background and he will also ask for a blood test. The results from the blood test will help the doctor determine which type of arthritis disease you have. Your physician may send you to see a rheumatologist which is a doctor that specializes in determing the problem and treating arthritic diseases. The two may consult together to provide you the best solution for your condition.

While you can’t heal your condition, you can learn a combination of coping solutions that keep you more active and in control of your life.  You and your joints can stay on good terms.  Learn from for my next Blog on arthritis help.

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