Through the span of our lives (even in our nursing careers), we have encountered numerous cases of Arthritis on our more mature patients. However, Arthritis is something not only our older patients experience. Arthritis is also something even our kids might be affected with.
Arthritis is a joint inflammation that can cause pain, swelling, stiffness and loss of motion in the joints. The word “arthritis” is frequently used to describe more than 100 rheumatic disease that affects the joints. Arthritis can affect diverse parts of the body even the internal organs, but Juvenile arthritis is commonly found in children. Juvenile idiopathic arthritis and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis are the chronic types of arthritis that affect the children.
Cause of Juvenile Arthritis
Most arthritis is caused autoimmune disorders. Autoimmune diseases mean that the body’s immune system attacks its healthy cells and tissue instead of fighting off bacteria. Consequently, inflammation, redness, heat, pain, and swelling are reported. Inflammation, thus, causes joint damage. There is not a solid reason to why the body attacks its healthy tissues, but scientists suspect that the children’s genetic makeup and environmental factors may trigger the disorder.
Symptoms and Signs
The most common symptoms include; swelling, pain, and stiffness which are worse in the morning or after sleeping. The pain limits movement of the joints, but in most cases, younger children do not complain of pain. The Juvenile arthritis is known commonly to affect the knees and joints of the hands.
Do Children Have to Limit Their Activities?
Although the pain may be too much to handle, exercise is encouraged to reduce the symptoms of juvenile arthritis. Exercise also helps in maintaining function and range of motions of the joints.
Children who suffer from Juvenile Arthritis can participate fully in the physical activities in many areas such as sports if their symptoms are controlled. However, if their symptoms are severed, there may be some limitations on the amount of exercise they undertake. Nevertheless, if the symptoms subsidize, the child may continue with their normal activities. Activities such as swimming are mostly encouraged as they involve using most joints and muscles without putting on weight on the joints.
In school, it is necessary for the parents and teachers to come up with a plan that will favor the child suffering from JA since sometimes they are forced out of school for prolonged periods. The teacher may give the extra books to the children or leave class early for them to catch the next class on time will ensure that the child is not limited to school activities. Moreover, the child should be encouraged to play with other children. Not only do school activities help in keeping the joints healthy and flexible, but they also give the children and opportunity to develop socially.
While Juvenile Arthritis might not affect all children, it is still important to create awareness to such disease so we would be better informed and prepared for such cases in the future.