AYURVEDIC TREATMENT OF JUVENILE RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS (JRA)
INTRODUCTION
Nothing could be better than childhood. Everyone feels like if they have a time machine so that they could go back to their childhood. Childhood is the best phase of life where you are free from all worries and tensions. Eating, playing and sleeping are the integral part of life. But it seems miserable that despite of enjoying the childhood, kids are suffering from the health complications. We are talking about the Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA). What is JRA (juvenile rheumatoid arthritis)? There are many questions come into mind. Juvenile Rheumatoid arthritis is the most common type of arthritis occurs in the children. In a recent study it has been found that antibiotic exposure during the childhood accelerated the risk of developing Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis. Overall ubiquity of JRA is estimated from 0.07 to 4.1 per children with an incidence of 0.008 to 0.226 cases of JRA per 1000 children.
ABOUT JUVENILE RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS (JRA)
Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA) is also known as juvenile idiopathic arthritis. It is most common type of arthritis commonly occurs in the children below age of 17. JRA results in the continuous pain, stiffness and swelling in joints. In some types of Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA) may lead to serious heath complications like improper growth and inflammation in eyes. Main cause of Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis is still unknown; mostly the joint problem occurs when immune system starts attacking its own cells. Other factors may include family history or viruses.
SYMPTOMS ASSOCIATED WITH JUVENILE RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS
- Pain – Sometimes your child don’t complaint about the joint pain, but you may notice that child limps in the morning after sleep.
- Swelling – Joint swelling in knee is the most common symptom.
- Stiffness – One can notice the child have the improper body movement than usual, especially in the morning.
KEEP A CAREFUL MEDICAL ATTENTION TO THE CHILD
- Eye problem – Some cases of Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis may results in the eye inflammations. If the problem remains untreated may cause the glaucoma, cataracts and blindness can also occurs.
- Growth complications – Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis can hinder growth of child and proper bone development. Certain medications like corticosteroids used for the treatment of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, also inhibit the child growth.
HOW TO DIAGNOSE THE JUVENILE RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS?
BLOOD TESTS ARE DONE FOR THE JUVENILE RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS WHICH ARE DISCUSSED IN THE DETAIL BELOW:-
- ESR (Erythrocyte sedimentation rate) –ESR is done to identify the type and how much is the inflammation in juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.
- C – Reactive protein – This blood test is done to determine the degree of inflammation but scale of measurement is different from the ESR.
- Anti nuclear antibody – These antibodies are the proteins which are produced in the case of autoimmune disorder like arthritis. Presence of these antibodies in the blood is the indication of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.
- Rheumatoid factor – This antibody is usually present in the blood of children which are suffering from rheumatoid arthritis.
- Cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) – Presence of this antibody is also the indication of Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.
AYURVEDIC OUTLOOK
In Ayurveda, there are three energies – vata, pitta and kapha which are responsible for a healthy body. Aggravated vata and kapha doshas are responsible for joint problems. Joint pain occurs due to the accumulation of ama (toxin) in the body. There are various factors like life style and improper eating habits may also results in the joint pain.
GUIDELINES FOR JUVENILE RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS
Most of the time, parents are with a long list of foods which their children do not like to eat. But it is mandatory that Children who are suffering from the rheumatoid arthritis must get the proper nutrition.
WHEN TO VISIT A DOCTOR?
If your child has a joint pain, stiffness and swelling more than one week along with fever. Then don’t ignore the symptoms and visit doctor.
