April 21, 2010

What Are The Differences Between Juvenile and Adult Arthritis?

Juvenile chronic arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, and childhood arthritis are all terms that are used to describe juvenile arthritis. In fact, there are another five sub-types that vary according to symptoms. Juvenile arthritis at one time was known as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. The term rheumatoid being involved caused some confusion because many thought this condition was in relation to rheumatoid arthritis, which impacts adults. Therefore, the term rheumatoid was taken out.

Different from Adult Arthritis

Most people consider arthritis to be a disease that affects only seniors. However, there are numerous instances of juvenile arthritis that affect babies and young children. As a matter of fact, approximately 300,000 children today under the age of sixteen are victims of juvenile arthritis.

Despite the prevalance of this condition, the exact cause is still unknown. What is known is that adult arthritis and juvenile arthritis have two major differences. Children affected by arthritis can outgrow the condition as they grow older, and it is harder to diagnose juvenile arthritis than is the case with adult arthritis. Second, it is easier to diagnose adult arthritis than juvenile arthritis.

Juvenile chronic arthritis can be characterized as a condition that causes inflammation of the joints, and is diagnosed to children under the age of sixteen. The problems the are experienced by adults can certainly affect children as well.

As mentioned, the exact cause is not exactly known of juvenile arthritis but one theory is that it is an autoimmune disease. Some of the symptoms include, but are not limited to, persistent inflammation of the joints, pain, and stiffness that gets worse in the morning or after sleeping. The pain felt can limit the patient’s range of movement in their affected joints, though normally children do not complain about pain.

Since no test is available that will directly prove that he or she has juvenile arthritis, diagnoses can be a challenge. Therefore, thorough examination must be done in regards to stiffness of the joints when waking up and range of motion. Another sign is if the child shows resistance toward using a certain limb. The person best suited to treat juvenile arthritis is a pediatrician, family doctor. or any other primary care medical professional.

A common type of arthritis in children is juvenile idiopathic arthritis, which is very persistent and can affect the entire body. Idiopathic is a term that refers to a condition that does not have a known cause, while juvenile of course refers to anyone who has not reached sixteen years old. Moreover, this form of arthritis is much more different than the kind that adults are diagnosed with.

See Also: A look at systemic juvenile rheumatoid arthritis