Growing up we all remember complaining to our parents about achy muscles or joints, only to have our moans brushed off as “growing pains,” a required rite of passage for our bones to become big and strong. The potential of arthritis never came to mind because it was a disease typically associated to the aging population.
Now, research and statistics show that these symptoms may be early signals of a more serious, inflammatory rheumatic disease – juvenile arthritis (JA).
Arthritis is not just a disease for the aging population, kids get arthritis too
Over 4 million Canadians suffer from some form of arthritis, 10,000 of them under the age of 16 – that’s 1 in 1,000. Children as young as two may be affected. While the cause of JA has yet to be determined, research indicates an autoimmune disease which causes the body to confuse healthy cells from germs. To defend the body, the immune system releases chemicals that can damage healthy tissues and cause inflammation and pain.
Juvenile arthritis signs and symptoms
- Fatigue
- Stiffness upon awakening for at least one hour
- Reduced activity level
- Persistent fever
- Joint swelling
- Difficulty with fine motor activities
Consult your pediatrician if these symptoms persist over 6 weeks (required time-frame for diagnosis).
Tips to improve quality of life for both adults and children living with arthritis:
- Keep active and moving – Exercise helps improve joint movement and strengthen the muscles that surround the joints.
- In addition to rheumatoid arthritis prescription medication you may also want to try a natural pain relief capsule like Painazone. It is clinically proven to be as effective for the relief of joint and muscular pain. It can also treat, bumps, bruises and sprains!
