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Nearly 300,000 American children have arthritis in some form, and the most common form is Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis. JRA, as it is also know, affects nearly 50,000 United States children.
by JamesBartell
Nearly 300,000 American children have arthritis in some form, and the most common form is Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis. JRA, as it is also know, affects nearly 50,000 United States children.
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.
Ingesting fruits high in vitamin C provides great benefit for children suffering from arthritis. These fruits, such as blackberries, raspberries, kiwis, strawberries, mango, apples, and cantaloupe melon, all have phytochemicals, which help fight inflammation.
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.
Along with fruits and vegetables, it is wise to eat foods and supplements high in Omega-3 fatty acids. Certain types of fish, such as herring, mackerel, salmon, trout, and sardines, are included in this, but it's recommended to only consume 3 ounce portions for children younger than 16. Look for mercury-free fish whenever possible in order to avoid potential 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.
To effectively minimize the effects of JRA, it's important to get an early diagnosis. If your child is diagnosed, educated yourself and others about the disease in order to help give your child an active lifestyle. Make sure to contact your physician is you see any of the above symptoms with your child. Before being able to diagnose JRA, your doctor will get the detailed medical history for your child, give a thorough medical exam, and draw blood for further testing.
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