One of the things people often misunderstand about arthritis is that it’s not a single condition. Instead, it’s an umbrella term that describes a variety of problems leading to joint damage and pain.
Some of these conditions cause joints to deteriorate, which triggers symptoms like inflammation, pain, and limited movement. However, others develop because a joint sustains damage.
And for many, especially children, arthritis develops because of an autoimmune or autoinflammatory disease.
Dr. Adepero Okulaja treats people of all ages, including children, at The Doctor’s House in Edina, Minnesota. In this blog, she offers insight into juvenile arthritis and how to spot the signs of this condition.
Juvenile arthritis basics
As mentioned, juvenile arthritis — or JA — is often associated with the immune system. When your immune system functions correctly, it releases inflammatory chemicals that fight foreign invaders, like germs and viruses. This process helps keep you healthy and infection-free.
But the immune system can misfire as well, and that’s what happens with JA. For a child with juvenile arthritis, their immune system attacks healthy cells and tissues, which is when issues arise.
As with other forms of arthritis, there are several types of JA that occur in children, such as:
- Juvenile idiopathic arthritis
- Juvenile myositis
- Juvenile lupus
- Juvenile scleroderma
- Fibromyalgia
- Vasculitis
In most cases, these conditions cause telltale arthritis symptoms in the joints, like pain, tenderness, inflammation, and swelling. However, a young person with JA can also have symptoms that affect the skin and internal organs and little or no joint issues at all.
Spotting the signs of juvenile arthritis
Like so many complex conditions, the exact cause of JA isn’t known. However, it’s likely a combination of factors, including the child’s immune system, genes, and environmental exposures.
Signs of juvenile arthritis often include:
- Clumsiness
- Limping, especially upon waking or after periods of inactivity
- Stiffness or pain, especially in the hands, knees, or feet
- Swelling in the lymph nodes
- Skin rash
- High fever
It’s possible for these symptoms to seem to improve and even disappear completely, only to return.
Dr. Okulaja can often diagnose juvenile arthritis by reviewing your child’s medical history and symptoms, giving them a physical exam, and running diagnostic tests to look for inflammation and signs of joint damage.
Treating juvenile arthritis
Unfortunately, there’s no cure for JA. However, early diagnosis and aggressive chronic care treatment can offer numerous benefits, such as:
- Easing symptoms and improving quality of life
- Slowing or stopping inflammation and disease progression
- Preventing and even avoiding joint and organ damage
- Preserving joint function for adulthood
- Reducing long-term health complications
To accomplish this, Dr. Okulaja often recommends a combination of strategies, from medications and physical therapy to healthy self-care strategies, like diet, exercise, and meditation.
If you have concerns that your child has juvenile arthritis, it’s essential to seek medical care as soon as possible to avoid serious long-term damage from this chronic condition. Contact The Doctor’s House to schedule a comprehensive appointment by phone or online with Dr. Okulaja in Edina, Minnesota, today.
