Arthritis

Arthritis isn't necessarily a disease you get when you're old. Right now, there are nearly 300,000 children in America with some form of arthritis or rheumatic disease. There are 8.4 million young adults between the ages of 18 and 44 who have arthritis, and millions of others are at risk for developing it. (Arthritis Foundation, 2000)

There are more than 100 different types of arthritis -- the cause of most types is unknown. Scientists believe there are three major factors involved in arthritis. These include:

• Genetic factors (i.e. certain genes from your parents may act as triggers)


• Events during your life(i.e. injuries, wear on your bones and joints)


• How you live (i.e. exercise, physical condition and nutrition)

The importance of each factor varies for every type of arthritis.

Symptoms

Symptoms vary depending on the type of arthritis. Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) is the most prevalent form of arthritis in children. JRA can cause altered growth, joint damage and joint inflammation.