Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is a form of arthritis that affects children below the age of 17. It is known to cause an inflammation and tenderness of the muscles, tendons, bones, joints and nerves. Around 285,000 adolescents in the USA suffer from some type of arthritis. Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is the most common kind of arthritis that affects children and is usually detected between the ages of 2 and 16.Symptoms of this disease may appear and reappear periodically. JRA typically affects the joints and the tissues surrounding it. However, it can also affect other organs of the body like the heart, eyes, liver and lungs. In some cases, this form of juvenile arthritis is known to cause serious joint damage and stunted growth.
Treatment for juvenile rheumatoid arthritis includes several alternative and complementary therapies. Immunoadsorption is the process of filtering the patient’s blood to trap immune substances and remove them from the blood. Immunoadsorption has helped improve the problems some rheumatoid arthritis patients suffer but is not recommended for people who take certain blood pressure medication. Oral collagen as a possible treatment is being evaluated. Though initial clinic trials came up with positive results in favor of this alternative therapy, much still needs to be done before prescribing it.
Stem cells which are found in the bone marrow can effectively develop into many types of cells, like immune cells. During stem cell transplantation, a person’s stem cells are treated with a poisonous prescription and then substituted with treated stem cells in order to restore a normal functioning of the immune system. However, stem cell transplantation as an effective treatment for juvenile rheumatoid arthritis may cause serious life threatening situations. Studies are currently ongoing about the effectiveness of anti bodies in combating JRA.Thalidomide is a sedative that is known to reduce the levels of an inflammatory substance called tumor necrosis factor (TNF) in patients suffering from JR. Several other therapies for this form of arthritis that are currently in the investigational stage are gene therapy and radiation synovectomy.
Complementary treatments for rheumatoid arthritis are thought of as safe and effective especially in the case of young children. However, the effectiveness of these therapies is still not proven and in some cases, the therapies are known to have shown significant side effects. However, children suffering from JRA are advised to follow a moderate exercise routine to ensure the mobility of their joints. Exercise, in addition to building the endurance and strength of the joints and the surrounding tissues is can have psychological and social benefits. However, it is advisable to consult a doctor before beginning with any exercise routine. A balanced meal goes a long way in ensuring good health and hence, must be a regular feature of a JRA patient’s treatment schedule. Fish oil, plant oil, vitamins and minerals can be taken as supplementary measures for counteracting to this disease.
Treatment for juvenile rheumatoid arthritis also includes non conventional therapies like the use of venom of insects to treat the inflammation. However, there is no substantial evidence to support the credibility of this therapy. The first round of studies has suggested that laser therapy, homeopathy, and biofeedback may improve the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis in some children. Some studies hint that S-Adenosylmethionine may reduce the symptoms of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.
