Pain Management - Dealing With Systemic Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis

As if growing pains were not enough, there is such aand muscle mass which results from lost appetite and
thing known as systemic-onset juvenile rheumatoidlimited body movement. On the other hand, prolonged
arthritis which afflicts both girls and boys as theymedication and lack of activity would lead to
progress from childhood to preadolescence. As aexcessive weight gain. Rather than leading a
juvenile disorder, it affects children younger than 16sedentary lifestyle, you could encourage your child to
years of age, although there are cases wherein itengage in non-strenuous play and sports activities
persists beyond the teens.which exercise the joints, bones, and muscles.
What is Systemic JRA?As part of pain management care, a child with
Think of it as an autoimmune disorder wherein thesystemic JRA is attended to by a pediatric
immune system which normally responds beneficiallyrheumatologist. Aside from pain relievers, the usual
to fight any infection automatically reacts to combat itsmedications would include NSAIDs and low-dose
own defenses. Even a minor infection which raises thesteroid treatment. The patient may also need
white blood cell count could trigger the autoimmunespecifically-prescribed exercise programs and rehab
system of to attack its own body tissues.sessions under the supervision of a physical therapist
Poorly understood, systemic JRA is difficult toto completely recover.
diagnose and treat without a series of tests to rule outHow do you deal with it?
all other diseases. It can be worrisome because someWhen chronic joint pain is recurrent, it goes far beyond
of its symptoms closely resemble those of leukemia,what we know of as musculoskeletal pain. The pain is
bone cancer, and other nervous syndromes.simply indescribable. It could affect the entire body
How does it show?starting from the ankles to the knees, higher to the hips
Depending on its severity, the disease is characterizedand the shoulders, and even up to the neck and jaws.
by multiple signs and symptoms such as joint pain,As parents of a child with systemic JRA, we only
swelling, and stiffness for more than six weekshave to deal with it. However, it is our children afflicted
straight. The child experiences prolonged bouts of highwith the disease who have to live with it. They will
fever and chills which peaks with unexplainedhave to cope with its long-term side-effects such as
measles-like rashes. The experience can be verygrowth delays, accelerated tooth decays and inner
disheartening and debilitating, which is why paineye inflammations which lead to premature scarring
management should be given importance in systemicand vision problems. With prolonged medication,
JRA.complications of the heart and liver as well as stomach
It is not contagious, because it is neither bacterial norulcers are bound to happen.
viral but rather a disease of the immune system. It canAside from our love and patience, we can only lend
be inherited as a third-generation disease, meaning itour children additional support through pain
skips one generation and manifests itself in the next.management medications, clinics, and therapies.
There is no clear explanation why some childrenKeeping informed and updated on current
outgrow it completely while others have longdevelopments in patient care for systemic JRA would
symptom-free periods followed by a sudden show ofhelp families deal and live with a disease which goes
flare-ups.beyond the pains of growing up. Turn to our Fitness
How do you manage it?Books for more information on pain management and
During JRA flare-ups, a child is prone to lose weightother health matters.