Arthritis

In general, arthritis is one of the very most well known diseases, and most people are also aware of the fact that it is the cause of swelling and pain in the joints of the body.  Although many people think of arthritis as a disease that affects older people more than anyone else, the truth is different.  In reality, young people are also quite susceptible to this potentially painful illness.  Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis can affect children from six months to six years old, something that mothers are sure to be very concerned about.

A Confusing and Saddening Condition

Another piece of disturbing information that will confuse and dishearten many parents is that it is believed that as many as half a million young American children are affected by some form of arthritis or the other. Whats more, the most common form of juvenile arthritis is the one known as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) that affects a tenth of those half million young American children.

Also discouraging is the fact that the causes of juvenile arthritis are not yet fully understood.  Research into the disease has shown, however, that an immune system that has ceased to function normally and can no longer tell the difference between healthy and diseased cells is responsible for arthritis. 

When the immune system gets confused in this way, it releases chemicals designed to fight off cells that are dangerous to the body.  These chemicals, though, end up attacking healthy cells.  This is what causes inflammation and pain associated with arthritis.

Genetic issues can also be responsible for the development of juvenile arthritis.  Additionally, it can be caused by certain viruses.  Juvenile arthritis is usually experienced with symptoms like fever, swelling of the joints near the knuckles, and swelling of four or more additional joints.

There are three main forms of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.  They are polyarticular arthritis, systemic juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, and pauciarticular arthritis.

The first of these three forms of arthritis is more apparent in girls than in boys.  The second causes symptoms all over the body and is often accompanied by a high temperature that rises, falls, and then rises again.  The third tends to affect up to four different joints and causes stiffness, swelling, and pain.

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