Juvenile Chronic Arthritis Treated with Alternative Medicine 

Juvenile chronic arthritis has the same symptoms as the adult type, and has the same abnormal response of the immune system which triggers the out of control inflammatory response.But exactly why the immune system responds in such a manner is unknown, although it does appear to have a genetic factor involved.

There are three types of juvenile chronic arthritis:

Polyarticular arthritis which is more prevalent in girls than boys, and can occur at any age. Similar to adult arthritis  inflammation, stiffness, and pain are present.The pains is present in five of more joints, and the most commonly affected joints include the wrists,fingers,knees, and ankles.

Pauciarticular arthritis is the most frequently occurring juvenile chronic arthritis , girls of pre school age are more commonly affected than boys. Again the  symptoms of inflammation, stiffness and joint pain are present, however, fewer joints are affected. Knees, ankles, and wrists are the most commonly affectd joints.The is a risk of these young females developing uveitis, which is an inflammation of the uveal tract of the eye, iris, ciliary body, and choroid, glaucoma could develop as a result.

Systemic arthritis or Still's disease affects boys and girls equally.This form of juvenile chronic arthritis occurs in children at a very young age, most commonly around the second year of life.Any number of joints may be affected accompanied by the usual signs of inflammation, swelling and pain, associated symptoms include fever, swollen glands and a rash. Some children recover completely from this disease, while other go on to develop juvenile chronic arthritis.Growth abnormalities may occur if the disease strikes before epiphyseal closure.

Medical treatment's primary aim is to control the inflammation, and so avoid or minimize joint damage, and to reduce pain.Milder cases would be controlled by the use of anti-inflammatory drugs, while the more severe cases may be treated with corticosteroids, orally, or by injection directly into the joint.

A number of physical therapies are employed, physiotherapy to maintain joint mobility, occupationaly therapy, splints for support, and if joint damage is extensive replacement surgery may be performed.

How would alternative medicine treat Juvenile chronic arthritis?

Although diet is critical in the treatment of this disease, more importantly allergic reactions should be investigated before any form of treatment begins.

 A prime offender might be wheat, or dairy, however,  there are many more foods which trigger allergic reactions, and a full allergy test should be done. Monosodium glutamate and aspartame should be investigated as possible triggers for aggravations of this disease.Tomatoes,  eggplants, peppers, potatoes, all these vegetables are from the same nightshade family and are known to cause allergic reactions.The consumption of tomato sauce should not be overlooked, young people love the stuff.

Although juvenile chronic arthritis shows a genetic factor may be involved, one must always consider that dietary habits are also hereditary, and are a definite must to be considered.

The usual diet of fresh, not frozen, fruits and vegetables, dairy,  and wholegrains is recommended.Organically grown fruits and vegetables are considered to be far superior, particularly for children, thus avoiding the risk of ingesting the chemical residues from the sprays used on commercial produce.

The type of fat a child consumes is an important consideration, butter preferably from biodynamic farms,cold pressed flaxseed oil, virgin olive oil, and cod liver oil should be the mainstay of the diet. Margarine should not be given to a child, it contains hydrogenated fat, and is therefore, more dangerous than normal saturated fat, it's not recommended for adults either.

Sodas are a defnite no no, either with or without sugar,beware the diet sodas. The so called sugarless foods, soft drinks, chewing gums,  contain a much more offensive substance than sugar, it's called aspartame, splenda, nutrasweet,equal or whatever else the manufactures choose to call it. This substance has been associated with joint pain, many articles have been written on this subject, and although the evidence of arthritis is not to be found on x-rays, or blood tests, destruction of joints can occur .Juvenile chronic arthritis may prove to be a disease of the past if a healthy diet is followed.

References:Forbes,Charles & Jackson William. Color Atlas and Text of Clinical Medicine 2nd edition published Mosby-Wolf 1997.

McCance Kathryn L & Huether Sue e, Pathphysiology, The Biologic Basis for Disease in Adults and Children. Published The C.V. Mosby Company.1990.

Chandrasoma Parakrama & Taylor Clive. Concise Pathology first edition published Prentice-Hall International Inc.1991.

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