One of the most depressing things to have when you are young is arthritis but there are ways to deal with it. When arthritis is present in children below 18 it is known as Juvenile Arthritis or JA. There can be many types of arthritis that can afflict children and teenagers; one of the most common is rheumatoid arthritis.
It is most important to handle this disease in a holistic manner. That is treating the disease by looking at the patient’s overall health and lifestyle. A child’s diet is one of the most important factors in keeping them healthy, so that they can deal with arthritis better.
Research has shown that different foods can affect arthritis. It is wise to consider this in order to get relief from arthritis. Vegetables from the nightshade family like; eggplants, potatoes and tomatoes can aggravate symptoms. Dairy products can also do this. You can replace milk and cheese with soy milk and soy products. Whole grains, fruits and vegetables should be increased, try to cut down junk food and sodas and replace them with fruits, vegetables and water. It is important that your child maintains a proper weight. Being overweight will put a severe strain on joints, especially knees, ankles and hips.
When painful flare ups occur massaging the joints can be very helpful. You can use oil like caster oil, in small quantities, or just plain massage of the joints. Massage will allow better circulation and blood flow to the joints. It will also bring increased warmth and energy to the affected area. Both these factors will decrease inflammation and pain allowing more mobility for the joint.
Gentle exercise is important. A good way to do this is by swimming in a heated bath or at the beach if you can. The water will take the weight of joints and allow the patient with arthritis to move them better. It will relieve the pain and make sure that the joints do not deteriorate due to lack of mobility. Physiotherapy is often recommended by the doctor. If the joints are not used they will get stiffer and less mobile, which will make the arthritis worse.
It is important for the family to give support to the patient as it sometimes hard to go for daily treatments and remember to take all the medicines subscribed. If you want to try alternative medicines it is best to consult your doctor about this.
Sometimes these treatments can be quite effective. Supplements are often given to help arthritis suffers. Again you should consult a doctor about giving a child any of these.
If you take care of your child’s diet and make sure they exercise the joints that are affected you will find it easier to deal with arthritis and find that you can alleviate some of the symptoms. This will let your child live a more normal life.
