While arthritis can affect each child on different levels, most children with Juvenile Arthritis should expect to live a full life and are encouraged to enjoy activities in school & outside too.
September was Juvenile Arthritis Awareness month, and I wanted to look more into the condition. Please have a read on to find more about this condition.
- it's an idiopathic condition, whereby the exact cause of the condition is largely unknown
- it's an autoimmune disease, where the body attacks itself, targeting the synovial membrane surrounding the joints, causing inflammation
- it's not thought that his condition is hereditary, but it's believed that the child's genetic make-up may increase their chances of developing the condition and others believe it could be triggered by infection
- it can affect both boys and girls
How is it diagnosed?
- there is no one test that can check for JA, making it difficult to diagnose
- medical history, physical findings & the child's symptoms will be used to rule out other conditions and rule in the possibility of JA
Signs & Symptoms
- inflammation & pain in one or more joints
- stiffness in the morning
- joints can become swollen and warm
- limping and / or a reluctance to walk
- reduced activity (may be pain during activities or soreness afterwards)
- possible fever if it's a systemic form of arthritis ('Stills Disease') - lymph nodes, spleen and liver may be inflamed also
Treatment Options
- Rheumatology team, along with Physical Therapy & Occupational Therapy will help with a balanced programme, tailored to each child
- Treatments can help to increase Range of Motion in the Joints, help reduce pain & stiffness, and increase strength
- Right balance between medicines, exercises, and sometimes dietary changes can be helpful (Meatless Gluten Free Meals, Gluten Free Diets & Arthritis)
Here is one family's story of how their children were diagnosed with Juvenile Arthritis.
While I have yet to treat a child with JA, I have first hand knowledge of how debilitating Rheumatoid Arthritis can be, as it runs in our family. I always remember my Mum describing how she couldn't open her hands or straighten her fingers for the first 6 weeks after I was born. Herself and her twin sister bother suffer badly with Rheumatoid Arthritis and are taking Methotrexate medication to manage the symptoms.
When I had my son a year ago, I was concerned that I may suffer like my Mum had. It wasn't until 12 weeks after he was born, that I was waking up in the morning with excruciating pain in my hands and fingers, and sometimes in the knees & ankles. After a month of this, I consulted my consultant in the Coombe - she basically said that post pregnancy some women can develop 'arthritic-like symptoms' such as this, but that they had no explanation as to why it happens. It was recommended to me to wait and see if my symptoms gradually disappeared after my body had started to recover from the pregnancy (this could take up to one year!). In the meantime, I went back to my Kinesiologist and mentioned to her my symptoms. She tested me and told me that my body was full of inflammation and so was not surprised that I had these joint pains every day. Amongst other things, I was given supplements to help my system recover, and also recommended to go on a gluten-free diet and she seemed suggested that the gluten was triggering the inflammation. Within a month of following her advice, the joint pains were already becoming less frequent and within 3 months they were gone altogether.
So whether it was my body just recovering from the pregnancy, or my dietary changes or a combination of both, I suppose we will never know. I know that there is a lot of research being done surrounding the area of arthritis, inflammation and diet and I firmly believe that there is a link between diet / foods and inflammatory conditions.
To find out more about Juvenile Arthritis & Arthritis Ireland check out their website.
To find out more about Juvenile Arthritis & Arthritis Ireland check out their website.
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