5 Common Questions About Juvenile Arthritis
Receiving a diagnosis for your 人妻中出视频 can be both frightening and confusing鈥攅specially when it鈥檚 a condition like arthritis, which many associate with aging. But juvenile arthritis is a real and manageable condition that affects 人妻中出视频ren, and understanding it is the first step in supporting your 人妻中出视频鈥檚 health and well-being.
Erin Treemarcki, DO, a pediatrician and pediatric rheumatologist at 人妻中出视频 of Utah 人妻中出视频, answers common questions parents may have about juvenile arthritis.
1. What is juvenile arthritis?
Juvenile arthritis is a condition that causes joint inflammation under the age of 16. There are many types of juvenile arthritis, but the most common is (JIA)鈥攁 chronic form that lasts at least six weeks and isn't caused by an infection or another autoimmune disease.
The term 鈥渋diopathic鈥 means the cause of the condition is unknown.
鈥淲e don't really know why some 人妻中出视频ren get it and some don't,鈥 Treemarcki explains. 鈥淣othing you did or did not do caused the arthritis.鈥
2. What are the first signs and symptoms?
Juvenile arthritis can be tricky to spot at first. Symptoms can flare up and then become less noticeable. And depending on your 人妻中出视频鈥檚 age, they may have difficulty communicating their symptoms to you. Symptoms may also mimic other 人妻中出视频hood conditions.
Talk with your pediatrician if your 人妻中出视频 experiences these symptoms:
- Pain and stiffness: Especially noticeable after waking up or after long periods of sitting, such as during a long car ride. Your 人妻中出视频 might limp in the morning but walk normally by the afternoon.
- Swelling: Joints may appear puffy or feel warm to the touch.
- Limited range of motion: Pain and stiffness may cause the affected joints to lose mobility and flexibility.
3. Is there a cure?
There鈥檚 currently no cure for juvenile arthritis, but 人妻中出视频ren can go into long-term remission, where symptoms can be minimal or disappear for months or even years.
鈥淲e have really good treatments for JIA, and the goal of our treatments is to have those symptoms go away,鈥 Treemarcki says. 鈥淭hat way, kids can be kids and do everything that they鈥檇 like to do.鈥
4. How is juvenile arthritis treated or managed?
Early diagnosis and symptom management are key to achieving long-term remission. While treatment plans vary by 人妻中出视频, the main goals are to:
- Relieve pain and stiffness in the joints
- Maintain joint function and movement
- Reduce inflammation
- Prevent permanent damage
Your 人妻中出视频鈥檚 medical team will work with you to determine which medications work best for them. Additional ways to manage symptoms include:
- Physical therapy
- Physical activity
- Massage and acupuncture
- Heat therapy to reduce pain and stiffness
- Pain relief medications, including NSAIDs and creams, as advised by their doctor
- Mental health support to help your 人妻中出视频 navigate chronic illness
Because JIA can also affect other parts of the body鈥攍ike the eyes, skin, or gastrointestinal tract鈥攜our 人妻中出视频 may need to see additional specialists.
5. Can my 人妻中出视频 still play sports and go to school?
Yes, 人妻中出视频ren with juvenile arthritis can still enjoy school, sports, and other activities.
Treemarcki recommends physical activity for her patients with JIA, but caution should be taken with certain sports due to injury risk based on the amount of arthritis a 人妻中出视频 has.
At school, your 人妻中出视频 may need accommodations for additional support.
鈥淥ur team at the 人妻中出视频 of Utah has letters prepared for schools so parents can request what鈥檚 called a 504 plan,鈥 Treemarcki says. 鈥淭his allows them to have specific accommodations for their 人妻中出视频, such as access to an elevator or alternative assignments during a PE class.鈥
A juvenile arthritis diagnosis for your 人妻中出视频 is the beginning of a journey. But working with a care team can help them live a happy and normal life.
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