According to the Mayo Clinic, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects joints, particularly the ones in your hands and feet. The lining of the joints is affected in RA, causing swelling and making movements stiff and painful. RA is an autoimmune disease, which means your body's immune system is attacking the tissues of your own body. There are various kinds of rheumatoid arthritis, and while all types are chronic and unable to be cured, they are manageable and can be effectively treated.
Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis
Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, or JRA, is the most common kind of arthritis in children, affecting nearly 71,000 children in the United States, according to UW Medicine in 2004. This condition involves heat, swelling and pain in the joints. There are three types of JRA: polyarticular JRA, which involves five or more joints; pauciarticular JRA, which affects four or fewer joints; and systemic JRA, which affects internal organs as well as joints. JRA is typically a mild condition, but the symptoms can change day to day and become so bad at times that movement can be incredibly painful. Symptoms of JRA include joint inflammation and damage and altered growth. Joint stiffness and muscle weakness may also be present.
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Systemic lupus erythematosus, or SLE, is an autoimmune disorder that also belongs to the family of rheumatic diseases. In SLE, the immune system is overactive and attacks the tissues of the body. SLE is a chronic disease that may involve joint pain, stiffness and inflammation, skin rash, muscle aches, weakness and fatigue. Treatment can involve medications, rest when needed and avoiding excessive sun exposure, which can exacerbate skin rashes.
Ankylosing Spondylitis
Ankylosing spondylitis is a type of rheumatoid disease that affects mainly the spine or back. In this disease, the joints and ligaments around the spine that enable it to move become inflamed, making it hard for the spine to move. The bones in the spine might also fuse together, and joints, such as the hips, knees, and shoulders, may also become stiff. This is a chronic disease, but it is manageable with exercise, medications, attention to posture and patient education.
