Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis
Statistics prove that nearly 300,000 children in America have a form of arthritis. The most common form is Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis, or JRA, and it affects nearly 50,000 children in the U.S.
The exact cause of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis remains a mystery. Many researchers believe it is an autoimmune disease — a disease that causes the immune system to become hyperactive and start attacking normal tissue. When this occurs, the body overproduces cytokines, which leads to inflammation within the body. Cytokines are chemical signals used to allow one cell to communicate to another. They play an important role in immune system responses.
Many researchers think that controlling cytokine production can help slow the progress of Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis. Those in the holistic healthcare industry believe that cytokine production is connected to someone’s diet.
Kids with arthritis seem to benefit most from fruits high in vitamin C. Colorful vegetables and fruits contain phytochemicals, which help with inflammation. Blackberries, strawberries, kiwis, raspberries, cantaloupe, apples, and mangos are all part of the inflammation fighters.
Vegetables with high amounts of vitamins A and C may also help fight inflammation in the body. Vegetables in this category include sweet potatoes, squash, spinach, kale, carrots, collard greens, brussel sprouts, cabbage, and broccoli.
Omega-3 fatty acids are also recommended for children with arthritis. Certain fish, including salmon, sardines, trout, herring, and mackerel, are rich in fatty acids, but should only be consumed in 3 ounce portions. These should be consumed twice a week for children under age 16, and it’s important to seek out mercury free fish in order to prevent health problems.
Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis usually shows up between ages 6 months and 16 years, and there are three major types. The majority of the time, the first signs of the disease are warm, reddened joints, and swelling.
1. Polyarticular arthritis: low-grade fever, bumps on the body, and swelling or pain in five or more of the body’s joints. 2. Pauciarticular arthritis: inflammation of the iris, and swelling or pain in four or fewer joints. 3. Systemic arthritis: includes the whole body, and may include a high fever; enlarged spleen and lymph nodes; sudden onset and disappearance of rash, and joint swelling, stiffness, and pain.
To effectively minimize the effects of JRA, it’s important to get an early diagnosis. If your child is diagnosed, educated yourself and others about the disease in order to help give your child an active lifestyle. Make sure to contact your physician is you see any of the above symptoms with your child. Before being able to diagnose JRA, your doctor will get the detailed medical history for your child, give a thorough medical exam, and draw blood for further testing.