Everyone knows someone in their life who has a form of arthritis, but we never think about children getting it. We associate arthritis with a part of growing old. However, that is a wrong way to think. Juveniles can get arthritis too.
Juvenile arthritis is caused by an autoimmune disease. Autoimmune means that the individual’s body attacks the body’s own healthy cells and tissues. 300,000 juveniles in the United States have arthritis. Juvenile arthritis, also known as pediatric rheumatic disease is a loose term that is an umbrella for 3 different types of arthritis that affect children.
The 3 Types of Juvenile Arthritis are:
- Oligoarticular
- Polyarticular
- Systemic
Arthritis is caused by inflammation of the joints. A joint is where two or more bones are joined together.
Arthritis causes:
- Pain in the joints
- Swelling in the joints
- Stiffness in the joints
- Loss of range of of motion
- Skin rashes
- Problems with eyes
- Problems with internal organs
There are 6 common ways that juvenile arthritis shows up:
- Fibromyalgia
- Lupus
- Idopathic arthritis
- Myositis
- Scleroderma
- Vasculitis
Just like in adult arthritis there are ways to live well with it. Here is how:
- Exercise: especially range of motion exercises that help keep the joints flexible and moving.
- Healthy eating: The Mediterranean Diet is recommended for anyone who has arthritis and that includes children. (We have a great article and YouTube video of Karen G Clemenson called Let’s Go Mediterranean)
- Topical creams: there are many topical creams that help with pain relief.
- Massage: Getting a massage might help with pain and relaxation and stress relief
- Acupuncture: This might help with pain relief
- Medications: There are a lot of medications that a Rheumatologist can help you decide on.
- Counseling: As with adults depression an happen and being able to express their emotions can help them through the challenges that happen with pain.
- Hot and cold treatments: this can help with pain and swelling of the joints.
- Mind and body therapies: Meditation, art therapy, music therapy can help them relax and enjoy life.
- Supplements: There are a lot of vitamins that could help. Be sure to include it on the medications list with your doctor.
As an adult, I have Rheumatoid Arthritis which is caused by an autoimmune disease. I got this as an adult. I cannot imagine how I would feel emotionally if I got this as a kid or teenager. Saying this, I hope that the most important aspect of this article you take away is that you can live well no matter what age you are with arthritis. Counseling has helped me accept myself as I am.
Karen and the Wellness Works NW Team supports and acknowledges this is a hard journey and we value you as an individual. We are willing to work with you on your Wellness Plan through a meal plan and an exercise program that meets your personal needs.
Here are some links I would like to share with you:
- Childhood Arthritis by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Staff
- Diagnosing Juvenile Arthritis by WebMD Staff
- Juvenile Arthritis by American College of Rheumatology Staff
- Juvenile Arthritis by National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Staff
- Juvenile Arthritis (JA) by Arthritis Foundation Staff
- Image Credit: July is Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month by Voyage Healthcare Team
Related Articles
- How to Eat a Mediterranean Diet
- Exercising with Chronic Illness
- Learning About Scleroderma
- Learning About The Mediterranean Diet
Jamie Holloway is a co-owner of Wellness Works NW and she is also our Research Manager and writes our Chasing Wellness with Jamie Holloway and Dear Jamie columns. Jamie is also an Independent Wellness Advocate at dōTERRA. She lives in the Portland, Oregon area. Since October 2011 she has been sharing her Journey Toward Health and Wellness with Vasculitis through her blog at JamieChasesButterflies.com. We hope you are as inspired as we are with the raw candor Jamie uses in her writing. If you would like to help support Jamie’s writing efforts please Donate now.
