Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA) Essay

Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic disease that affects whole systems of body particularly cardiovascular system, nerves, respiratory system (RACGP, 2009). The causes of rheumatoid arthritis are unknown but it is hereditary which assists to have a risk of rheumatoid arthritis by 50%-60% (RACGP, 2009).

Developing this disease made it so that a major shift in my life occurred. When I first heard that the doctor had made a diagnosis of Juvenile Arthritis I didn’t know what to do. I felt like the world around me was coming down on me. I had to learn basic skills all

Juvenile arthritis is a term used to put all the “autoimmune and inflammatory conditions” that anyone under the age of 16 has (Juvenile Arthritis). With almost 300,000 children being affected with juvenile arthritis, it’s easy to believe they all carry the same struggle and pain (Juvenile Arthritis). However, there are many different types of juvenile arthritis that children battle with. The most common forms of juvenile arthritis are juvenile lupus, Kawasaki disease, and Rheumatoid arthritis (Juvenile Arthritis).

There are different types of arthritis such as gouty arthritis which causes a swelling usually in the big toe, psoriatic arthritis that often occurs along with psoriasis and reactive arthritis which usually involves the eyes, urethra and joints. Juvenile arthritis is an umbrella term used to describe any form of childhood arthritis or arthritis-related conditions which affects people under 16 years old. The most common form of childhood arthritis is juvenile chronic arthritis (JCA) which is also referred to as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA). Individuals who suffer from JRA experience stiffness and joint inflammation that result into swelling, warmth, soreness and redness of the joints. JRA, also

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), previously known as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA), is an autoinflammatory disease that begins before the age of 16. (2) The cause behind JIA is currently unknown. Symptoms of JIA are a fever (a rash usually accompanying the fever as well), enlarged spleen, presence of arthritis, and also always a sign of systemic inflammation

cases early childhood. It causes weakness of the face and shoulders and upper arm sometimes it shows difficulty of closing the eyes. Distal affects men and women symptoms are affecting the muscles of the arms, legs, and the feet. Symptoms usually comes between forty and sixty.

Rheumatoid Arthritis known as RA is an autoimmune disease which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the joints. In a healthy individual the immune system protects by attacking foreign substances like bacteria and viruses. When this happens the body will create inflammation that causes the tissue that lines the inside of the joints known as the synovium to thicken, which creates swelling and pain around the joints. If the individual is to go a prolong period without treatment for RA it can damage the cartilage and over time the loss of cartilage the joint can then become loose, unstable, painful and most lose their mobility. Joint deformation can occur and the damage to the joint cannot be reversed.

Like with any disease, signs and symptoms can be experienced differently based on the individual. Rheumatoid Arthritis has a few that are common with the majority of people; joint pain, tenderness, swelling, and stiffness are inevitable. As the disease grows more severe, deformity and loss of the joints range of motion can occur.

The first signs of the disease are different for children. It might start after a child has a nerve disorder called acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM). Most of the time, the symptoms of ADEM -- including headache, confusion, coma, seizures, stiff neck, fever, and major lack of energy -- go away after a few weeks. But some children will keep having problems that are the same as MS. Unable to find the information talking about MS and Children and infants there is a little bit about it this is all I have found.

With rheumatoid arthritis there are many painful problems as well as symptoms and causes of this genetic disorder. First, the description of the disorder is how painful it can be. The painful swelling can lead to bone erosion, which means that the bone will wear away. Next, the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis can be hard on the body. You could have fatigue (extreme tiredness), a fever, or weight loss. As well, you can have morning stiffness which can last for hours. Lastly, some causes of the disorder are that the immune system attacks the synovium which is the lining of the membrane that surrounds your joints. In other words, what happens is the synovium inflames which destroys the cartilage and bone in the joint. As you can see rheumatoid arthritis has many painful problems, symptoms and causes.

According to my mom when I was 6 months old I was diagnosed with J.R.A more over they thought it was something else so it took them longer to find out what it was but I can’t remember what it was. J.R.A. stands for Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis the word rheumatoid means that it can travel to other parts

Rheumatologists have considered many different options as treatments for Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis and have narrowed it down to these few. Anakinra is a safe medicine which is considered a positive treatment. (Ilowite, N., 2008) (Nigrovic, P. A., 2011) NSAIDs and IA

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease. normally the body’s immune system attacks and protects the body against foreign substance, with RA the immune system accidently attacks the joints. When the joints are mistakenly attacked inflammation occurs which causes the tissues to thicken thus resulting in pain and swelling of the joints. When this inflammation is undetected damage to the cartilage can occur, when this happens the spacing between the bones become smaller, the joints may become loose, painful, unstable and may also lose their mobility and deformity of the joints can occur.

Rheumatoid Arthritis or (RA) is an autoimmune disease that attacks the joints and connective tissue. The result is inflammation that produces permanent damage in the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic syndrome that tends to be progressive and destructive as compared to Osteoarthritis or (OA), which is more of an age related disease caused by “wear and tear” of the joints. In contrast to (OA), rheumatoid arthritis is characterized by inflammation mostly of the joints, but is a general body disease.

JRA can affect one or many joints, and in some cases the entire body (B). Pain, swelling, and stiffness in the joints are some other symptoms to JRA. (A) Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis can lead to complications with the child’s growth and eye inflammation (C). This disease is difficult to diagnose because a lot of children feeling these symptoms may not complain at first, so the swelling may not be as obvious when parents do recognize the pain. Diagnosis for JRA depends on mostly physical findings and past medical history.