In our last blog post we introduced you to juvenile arthritis and talked a little bit about how prevalent it is in the United States. Today, we’ll go over other basic information and treatment options.

The Arthritis Foundation gives on great advice on this. Having arthritis will affect the entire family. That’s why it’ so important to stick to as many of your child’s daily routines and comforting habits as possible. Having arthritis should be part of your child’s life – not the central focus of  their life.

According to the Arthritis Foundation and the CDC, juvenile arthritis (JA) is an umbrella term used to describe the many autoimmune and inflammatory conditions that can develop in children ages 16 (or 18) and younger.

While there is not current cure for JA, certain medications and therapy have been shown to reduce pain and make life easier. The goal of treatment for JA is to relieve inflammation, control pain and improve your child’s quality of life. Most treatment plans involve a combination of medication, physical activity, eye care and healthy eating.

Medications used to treat JA can be divided into two groups:

1-      Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, corticosteroids and analgesics that help relieve pain and inflammation

2-      Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), and a newer subset known as biologic response modifiers (biologics). These medicines can alter the course of the disease, put it into remission and prevent joint damage.

Each child responds to his or her treatment plan differently. Some medications affect the immune system or have other side effects, making careful and frequent monitoring very important.

At Brevard Medical Equipment, we want to help every person that comes through our doors improve their quality of life and live better. Our staff is ready to help and recommend medical equipment and products to help people of any age manage arthtirits. From walkers and wheelchairs to bath safety equipment and more, we will help as much as we possibly can.

We’ll see you all next month with two more blog posts focusing on improving your health and living better!

Source: pediatriconcall.com, the CDC, the Arthritis Foundation