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Juvenile Arthritis Foundation

Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month

juvenile-arthritis: Juvenile Arthritis Foundation Each year in July, Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month is recognized for the entire month. In hopes finding understanding to this disease, to make not only parents but persons in general aware of arthritis striking young children and most of all hopefully find a cure for a disease that effects so many young persons in the world today.

There are currently 300, 000 children who endure the pain of some type of Juvenile Arthritis. Vast majority of children in the United States just wait quietly through silent tears of pain until it is finally recognized in them and officially diagnosed. This disease is currently listed as a low priority among diseases we have to today. The reason for awareness is to hopefully make all aware that this is not some thing simple that does not require immediate attention and a cure. As adults we realize how hard arthritis is to cope with, doing simple things like opening a jar of pickles can become impossible. Taking a sip of coffee then dropping the cup because your hands will no longer hold it. Imagine how a child feels just trying to fit a puzzle piece in a puzzle and not being able to hold on it without pain. Not fully understanding what is happening to them.

The most common type of Juvenile Arthritis is rheumatoid and afflicts children under the age of sixteen years old. This arthritis inflicts on its victims endless pain in the joints, swelling and stiffness. Some children may only have to endure this for a few short months but a lot of other children are forced to live with disease for the remainder of their lives.

Physicians classify juvenile arthritis as a autoimmune disease. Basically meaning the body's immune system is causing serious harm on the cells and tissues. The cause of this disease has yet to be determined. Some researchers speculate that heredity factors or elements in one surroundings such as a virus can bring the disease to light.

Conventional medicine dictates medications in order to help halting the arthritis from going any further than what it currently has.

Some medications are as follows:

The NSAID's group which are basically over the counter such as Aleve and Advil to help with pain and swelling. However, children can develop some serious side effects from these medications which are not limited to liver and stomach issues.

The DMARD's group these are prescribed when the medications like Advil do not seem to help. A common one is Rheumatrex. This medication carries side effects that could become fatal. Technically this medication is used only to treat cancer, psoriasis and very severe rheumatoid arthritis. Side effects include nausea, vomiting. Severe side effects include fever, bone pain and dark colored urine.

TNF blockers to reduce pain and swelling. One type medication is Remicade that will leave the body more prone to infections. **Special note in 2009 FDA issued a warning that there is increased cancer chance for children and adolescents using the blockers.

Corticosteroids used like prednisone have their own set of problematic side effects. Hard time sleeping and mood changes are just two, more serious ones include allergic reactions such as rash or hives, and convulsions.

Many adults with arthritis seek out alternative treatments to deal with the pain. There are some alternative treatments that can also be applied to children with arthritis. Some are listed below:

Acupuncture

By Debbie Nicholson - Deb is currently writing articles for magazines. Also featured as Detroit Alternative Medicine Examiner, Women's Health Examiner and Anchor for All Voices. . Also publisher of the new magazine "Cherokee Ble...

Are there any Juvenile Arthritis foundations?
I have Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis and wanna no if the are any foundations

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Juvenile Arthritis Foundation - Amanda

19 May 2009 at 4:56pm

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