Archive for March, 2010


Juvenile Arthritis - How Does it Differ From Adult Arthritis?

Juvenile chronic arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, and childhood arthritis are all terms that are used to describe juvenile arthritis. In fact, there are another five sub-types that vary according to symptoms. At one time juvenile arthritis was called juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. The term rheumatoid gave the wrong impression that this condition is related to rheumatoid arthritis that affects adults. Therefore, the term rheumatoid was taken out.

Different from Adult Arthritis

When most people think of arthritis, they are under the impression that it affects the eldery only. However, there are numerous instances of juvenile arthritis that affect babies and young children. As a matter of fact, approximately 300,000 children today under the age of sixteen are victims of juvenile arthritis.

Despite the prevalance of this condition, the exact cause is still unknown. What is known is that adult arthritis and juvenile arthritis have two major differences. First, children with arthritis have shown that as they get older, they can outgrow the condition. Second, it is easier to diagnose adult arthritis than juvenile arthritis.

Juvenile chronic arthritis can be characterized as a condition that causes inflammation of the joints, and is diagnosed to children under the age of sixteen. The problems the are experienced by adults can certainly affect children as well.

As mentioned, the exact cause is not exactly known of juvenile arthritis but one theory is that it is an autoimmune disease. Some of the symptoms include, but are not limited to, persistent inflammation of the joints, pain, and stiffness that gets worse in the morning or after sleeping. The pain felt can limit the patient’s range of movement in their affected joints, though normally children do not complain about pain.

Diagnoses can prove to be difficult since there is no test that will outright tell one that he or she has juvenile arthritis. Therefore, thorough examination must be done in regards to stiffness of the joints when waking up and range of motion. Another sign is if the child shows resistance toward using a certain limb. The person best suited to treat juvenile arthritis is a pediatrician, family doctor. or any other primary care medical professional.

A common type of arthritis in children is juvenile idiopathic arthritis, which is very persistent and can affect the entire body. Idiopathic is a term that refers to a condition that does not have a known cause, while juvenile of course refers to anyone who has not reached sixteen years old. Also, this form of arthritis is very different to the kind of arthritis that affects adults.

See Also: A look at systemic juvenile rheumatoid arthritis

Arthritis - Not Just For Seniors

There’s a general misconception that arthritis is an age-implicated health condition that afflicts only the old age pensioners or the elderly.  It may be true with osteoarthritis, the commonest kind of joint disorder that usually is affecting adults of both sexes in their middle age.  But what the general public don’t get is that there are other types or factors behind arthritis.  There are several considerations seeking arthritis remedies.  

Arthritis, AKA joint soreness, is defined as an inflammation of a number of joints and involves the breakdown of cartilage resulting in pain|agony, swelling, and limited movement.  

Cartilage is in charge of protecting the joints and serves as a nasty surprise absorber when pressure is placed on the joint during walking or running.  It allows for the smooth movement of our limbs.  Without cartilage, the bones will rub together and could cause pain, swelling ( swelling ), and rigidity.  Doctors usually prescribe arthritis pain relief and anti-inflammatory drugs to help lessen the pain.  

Arthritis, or joint swelling, can be due to the following causes:
damaged Bones;
Infections that are sometimes caused by bacteria or viruses;
An autoimmune illness ( the body attacks itself because the immunological response believes a body part is foreign ) ; and
General’wear and tear’ on joints.  

Generally, as shortly as the injury heals, the inflammation vanishes.  The infection is treated and the illness is cured.  However, there are some injuries and illnesses wherein the redness remains stubbornly and steadily causing pain that may well lead to monstrosity.  This condition is known as chronic arthritis.  

people suffering from arthritis experience the following symptoms:
Joint pain
Joint swelling
stiffness, especially in the morning
warmth around a joint
Redness of the skin around a joint
Reduced ability to move the joint

Arthritis is a condition that can occur in men and women of all ages.  Other types of arthritis include:
Rheumatoid arthritis ( in adults )
Osteoarthritis ( middle age and above )
Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis ( in children )
{systemic|Systemic|wide spread} lupus erythematosus ( SLE )
Gout
Scleroderma
Psoriatic arthritis
Ankylosing spondylitis
Reiter’s syndrome ( reactive arthritis )
Adult Still’s disease
Viral arthritis
Gonococcal arthritis
Other bacterial infections ( non-gonococcal bacterial arthritis )
Tertiary Lyme disease ( the late stage )
Tuberculouus arthritis
Fungal infections {like|such as} blastomycosis

Osteoarthritis, being the commonest type, is a lingering disease which causes the cartilage between the bone joints to get worse and may lead to distressing sensation and/or rigidity.  New pieces of bones, called bone spurs, may grow around the joints as a result of osteoarthritis.  Till now, there’s no known reason yet as to the reason for osteoarthritis but it is generally being related to aging.  However, factors such as metabolism and genes can play a role in its development.  

there are lots of|there are plenty of considerations before your health practitioner can prescribe arthritis pain relief treatment plan like the particular cause of arthritis, influenced joints, severity of arthritis, and the way the condition affects your daily activities.  Age and occupation will be considered.  

dumping the underlying cause of the arthritis is one of the goals for treating arthritis.  However, not all cause are treatable like in the cases of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.  Relieving pain and discomfort as well as prevention from further damage becomes the focus.  

life changes and exercise can seriously help in making improvements to the condition of those afflicted with arthritis.  Medications such as arthritis pain relief and anti-inflammatory drugs can be taken in addition to exercise and life changes.