What is idiopathic arthritis?
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis refers to a group of conditions involving joint inflammation (arthritis ) that first appears before the age of 16. This condition is an autoimmune disorder, which means that the immune system malfunctions and attacks the body’s organs and tissues, in this case the joints.
Is idiopathic arthritis the same as rheumatoid arthritis?
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) causes painful joint inflammation throughout your body—including the joints in your spine. Because JIA was previously known as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA), many people assume JIA is simply a child version of adult rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
What causes idiopathic arthritis?
What Causes Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis? JIA is an autoimmune disease. This means that the body’s immune system, which normally attacks germs, mistakenly attacks the joints. This causes inflammation (swelling and irritation) in the joints and other problems.
How do you get JIA?
The word “idiopathic” means unknown, and researchers aren’t sure why kids develop JIA. They believe kids with JIA have certain genes that are activated by a virus, bacteria or other external factors. But there is no evidence that foods, toxins, allergies or lack of vitamins cause the disease.
How does JIA happen?
JIA is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system mistakenly targets the synovium, the tissue that lines the inside of the joint, and the synovial fluid in the joint. This causes the synovium to make extra synovial fluid, which leads to swelling, pain and stiffness in the joint.
Is JIA an autoimmune disease?
Like adult rheumatoid arthritis, JIA is an autoimmune disease. This means the body’s immune system attacks its own healthy cells and tissues. JIA is caused by several things. These include genes and the environment.
Does JIA go away?
JIA is a chronic condition, meaning it can last for months and years. Sometimes the symptoms just go away with treatment, which is known as remission. Remission may last for months, years, or a person’s lifetime. In fact, many teens with JIA eventually enter full remission with little or no permanent joint damage.
What type of arthritis comes on suddenly?
Acute arthritis is a term that refers to rapid or sudden onset of joint inflammation and pain. Acute arthritis can be caused by several processes, including autoimmune diseases. Autoimmune diseases occur when the body mistakenly attacks healthy cells and tissues, causing inflammation.
Can JIA be cured?
Treatment. There is no cure for JIA but remission (little or no disease activity or symptoms) is possible. Early aggressive treatment is key to getting the disease under control as quickly as possible.
What happens if juvenile idiopathic arthritis goes untreated?
This process can spread to the nearby tissues, eventually damaging cartilage and bone. Other areas of the body, especially the eyes, may also be affected by the inflammation. If it is not treated, JIA can interfere with a child’s normal growth and development.
What is juvenile idiopathic arthritis?
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Print. Juvenile idiopathic arthritis, formerly known as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, is the most common type of arthritis in children under the age of 16. Juvenile idiopathic arthritis can cause persistent joint pain, swelling and stiffness.
What are the main symptoms of arthritis in adults?
Overview. Arthritis is inflammation of one or more of your joints. The main symptoms of arthritis are joint pain and stiffness, which typically worsen with age. The most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
What is the difference between arthritis and joint erosion?
Joint erosion may follow. Arthritis is the swelling and tenderness of one or more of your joints. The main symptoms of arthritis are joint pain and stiffness, which typically worsen with age. The most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
What is the difference between arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis?
With rheumatoid arthritis, the synovial membrane that protects and lubricates joints becomes inflamed, causing pain and swelling. Joint erosion may follow. Arthritis is the swelling and tenderness of one or more of your joints. The main symptoms of arthritis are joint pain and stiffness, which typically worsen with age.