Just like adults, children also get arthritis. Arthritis is a condition where joints get swollen or inflamed. Joints are where two or more bones meet and are joined together. When arthritis appears in children, it is called chronic childhood arthritis or juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Earlier this disease was also called juvenile rheumatoid arthritis or juvenile chronic arthritis.
JIA may affect children at any age, of any ethnic background or geographical territory. While some children are cured of this disease after treatment, others have to continue with medication even in adulthood.
In JIA there is inflammation in one or more joints, sometimes there is inflammation in the eye too. Symptoms must last more than six weeks for the disease to be termed as chronic.
Many types of arthritis fall under the JIA. They are:
Just like adults, children also get arthritis. Arthritis is a condition where joints get swollen or inflamed. Joints are where two or more bones meet and are joined together. When arthritis appears in children, it is called chronic childhood arthritis or juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Earlier this disease was also called juvenile rheumatoid arthritis or juvenile chronic arthritis.
JIA may affect children at any age, of any ethnic background or geographical territory. While some children are cured of this disease after treatment, others have to continue with medication even in adulthood.
In JIA there is inflammation in one or more joints, sometimes there is inflammation in the eye too. Symptoms must last more than six weeks for the disease to be termed as chronic.
Many types of arthritis fall under the JIA. They are:
The most common symptom of arthritis is swelling and pain in the joints. Usually, the joints of knees, hands, and feet are affected. Pain is more severe in the mornings or after a nap. Other symptoms include:
Scientists are still trying to find the exact cause of JIA. Genetic and environmental factors may also be the reasons.
JIA hampers the child’s ability to be socially active and participating in extracurricular activities is difficult. But the following tips will help the child to cope with arthritis and lead a normal life:
JIA is treatable, and in spite of the symptoms, children can lead normal lives with proper treatment and family support. Living with JIA means making necessary changes in the child’s lifestyle as well as in the parents’. Very often, the social life of young kids suffering from JIA is affected; hence they require emotional support and counselling from therapists.
The most common symptom of arthritis is swelling and pain in the joints. Usually, the joints of knees, hands, and feet are affected. Pain is more severe in the mornings or after a nap. Other symptoms include:
Scientists are still trying to find the exact cause of JIA. Genetic and environmental factors may also be the reasons.
JIA hampers the child’s ability to be socially active and participating in extracurricular activities is difficult. But the following tips will help the child to cope with arthritis and lead a normal life:
JIA is treatable, and in spite of the symptoms, children can lead normal lives with proper treatment and family support. Living with JIA means making necessary changes in the child’s lifestyle as well as in the parents’. Very often, the social life of young kids suffering from JIA is affected; hence they require emotional support and counselling from therapists.