Just like infections, there are many types of teen arthritis. There is a different approach to different type of arthritis. What treatment suits best to one person will not suit another person.
Teenagers believe that arthritis is something that their grandparents’ may suffer from. JRA the commonest form of teen arthritis tend to affect the muscles and surrounding tissues of the joints. The symptoms are severe pain and stiffness in the joints. Damage at times is beyond this and many other organs in the body too are affected like the eyes, heart, lungs or even the eyes. There are cases of joint damages and also its effect on growth.
JRA is generally diagnosed between the ages 2 and 16. Arthritis has 285000 kids and teenagers in the United States of America alone as its victim. Specific reasons as to why children and teenagers suffer from teen arthritis are not exactly know. While the scientists are still researching on the subject, they know that JRA also develops due to some lapse in immunity system. We all know it is the immunity system that defends us from harmful bacteria and viruses. When the immunity system does not work as required then it fails to differentiate between own body tissues and germs as in the case of Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis. There is thus an utmost confusion in the immunity system and this starts attacking body’s own tissues which are healthy causing serious inflammation and severe pain. Teen arthritis is definitely not contagious and does not get carried to another person by way of common cold or any other infection.
Lupus is another type of Rheumatic condition which affects the joints, the muscles and its connecting tissues. This type of an illness can also be due to hereditary reasons. This may be aggravated due to some mental or physical stress, any kind of infection etc.
Unfortunately so, the female sex is more prone to be affected by this illness than their male counterpart.
Teen arthritis may be difficult to be diagnosed. Doctors need to go about various tests before they come with any conclusion. A through physical examination has to be done including blood tests, x-rays and in certain cases collection of synovial samples from joints after verification of symptoms like a joint inflammation, some eye problem and rashes etc. Medicines will be prescribed after taking the medical history of the patient into consideration to find out if he or she is allergic to some drugs.
Proper intake of medicines as referred by the doctor, a proper balanced nutritious diet, both physical and mental exercises as suggested by physical therapist etc can help in reduce the severity and span of the illness.