Chronic Diseases
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)
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.
Below are links PAMF accessed when researching this topic. PAMF, however, does not sponsor or endorse any of these sites, nor does PAMF guarantee the accuracy of the information contained on them.
Arthritis Foundation Teen Web site.