| Juvenile chronic arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, | | | | Juvenile arthritis can be characterized as a chronic |
| and childhood arthritis are all terms that are used to | | | | condition that causes inflammation of the joints, and |
| describe juvenile arthritis. Moreover, based on | | | | is diagnosed to children under the age of sixteen. The |
| symptoms and joints affected there are five | | | | problems the are experienced by adults can certainly |
| additional subsets. | | | | affect children as well. |
| When most people think of arthritis, they are under | | | | Some of the symptoms include, but are not limited |
| the impression that it affects the elderly only. | | | | to, persistent inflammation of the joints, pain, and |
| However, little do most people know that children | | | | stiffness that gets worse in the morning or after |
| and even babies are affected by juvenile arthritis. As | | | | sleeping. Range of motion can be limited in the joints |
| a matter of fact, approximately 300,000 children | | | | that are affected by the pain experienced, though |
| today under the age of sixteen are victims of | | | | most of the time children do not make a big deal |
| juvenile arthritis. | | | | about it. |
| Despite the prevalence of this condition, the exact | | | | A common type of arthritis in children is juvenile |
| cause is still unknown. What is known is that adult | | | | idiopathic arthritis, which is very persistent and can |
| arthritis and juvenile arthritis have two major | | | | affect the entire body. Idiopathic is a term that |
| differences. First, children with arthritis have shown | | | | refers to a condition that does not have a known |
| that as they get older, they can outgrow the | | | | cause, while juvenile of course refers to anyone who |
| condition. Second, it is easier to diagnose adults than | | | | has not reached sixteen years old. |
| children. | | | | |