Living with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis

Help your child feel as normal as possible. Treat him or her as you would treat other children in the family.

Allow your child to express his or her feelings about living with the disease. Encourage him/her to talk to you about any anger, frustration, and helplessness.

Make your child understand that it is not his/her fault.

Encourage your child to engage in physical activities, but also keep in mind his or her limitations. Follow the recommendations of your doctor or physical therapist.

Inform your child's teachers, school doctor and nurses, and physical education teachers about the condition. They can play an important role in helping the child cope at school.

Since juvenile rheumatoid arthritis can lead to an increased risk of eye inflammation, it is important to have your child undergo regular eye examinations.

Ensure that you stay in good physical health so that you can help your child cope during difficult phases of the disease.

Join a support group where you can interact with other families who are dealing with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.

References

Edward H. Giannini, James T. Cassidy, Earl J. Brewer, Alexander Shaikov, Alexei Maximov, Nina Kuzmina, Comparative efficacy and safety of advanced drug therapy in children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, Seminars in Arthritis and Rheumatism, Volume 23, Issue 1, August 1993, Pages 34-46, ISSN 0049-0172, 10.1016/S0049-0172(05)80025-3.
Rosario Di Toro, Cesare Polito, Nutrition in Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis, Nutrition Research, Volume 17, Issue 4, April 1997, Pages 741-758, ISSN 0271-5317, 10.1016/S0271-5317(97)00044-4.