Statistics show that nearly 300,000 American children have some form of arthritis. The most prevalent form of arthritis in children is Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA), which affects nearly 50,000 children in the United States.
The cause of JRA still remains unknown, but researchers think it is an autoimmune disease. An autoimmune disease causes the immune systems to attack itself, and when this happens, the body produces too much cytokines. This leads to inflammation in the body. Cytokines are chemical signals used for cell communication, and play an important role in immune system response.
If cytokine production is controlled, the degeneration from Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis may also be controlled. People who practice holistic healthcare believe that cytokine production control is related to one’s diet.
Fruits that are high in vitamin C provide the most benefit for children with arthritis. Colorful fruits and vegetables contain phytochemicals, which are helpful in fighting inflammation. A few of these inflammation-fighting foods include: blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, kiwi fruit, mango, cantaloupe melon and apples.
Vegetables high in vitamins C and A also help fight body inflammation. Some vegetables included are collard greens, carrots, brussel sprouts, broccoli, cabbage, kale, squash, spinach, and sweet potatoes.
Omega-3 fatty acids are also recommended for children with arthritis. Certain fish, including salmon, sardines, trout, herring, and mackerel, are rich in fatty acids, but should only be consumed in 3 ounce portions. These should be consumed twice a week for children under age 16, and it’s important to seek out mercury free fish in order to prevent health problems.
Typically, Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis appears between the ages of 6 months and 16 years. More often than not, the first signs of this disease appear as joint swelling and reddened or warm joints. There are three major types of Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis:
1. Polyarticular arthritis — Swelling or pain in 5 or more joints (hips, knees, ankles, feet and neck); low-grade fever; bumps or nodules on the body. 2. Pauciarticular arthritis — Swelling or pain in 4 or fewer joints; inflammation of the iris. 3. Systemic arthritis — Affects the entire body; may include high fevers; sudden onset then sudden disappearance of rash; enlarged spleen and lymph nodes; joint pain, swelling and stiffness.
An early and accurate diagnosis of Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis is needed in order to effectively manage the disease. It’s important to educate yourself and other family members about JRA symptoms and characteristics if your child is diagnosed. It’s possible for yoru child to maintain an active lifestyle, but if any of the previously stated symptoms arise, contact your doctor immediately. Your doctor will need to learn detailed medical history, take blood for testing, and do a physical examination before diagnosing Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis.
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