Juvenile Scleroderma- medical condition in which the skin hardens & tightens. 2 basic forms: localized- damage to skin, muscle, bone, joints & Systemic- affects entire body, internal organ damage, severe.

Kawasaki disease causes inflammation of the blood vessels that can cause heart complications. It also involves the skin, mouth and lymph nodes. This disease can be recovered from in a few days if caught early and usually affects children under five.

The symptoms associated with Mixed Connective Tissue Disease come from a combination of disorders including Lupus, scleroderma, and polymyositis. Symptoms include, a general feeling of being unwell, cold/numb fingers and toes, swollen fingers/hands, muscle/joint pain, and rash.

Another common form of Juvenile Arthritis is Fibromyalgia. This is a disorder causing pain with sleep, memory, and moos complications. The pain is believed to stem from amplifications of pain sensations by affecting the pain processing in the brain.

Have you ever known anyone with Juvenile Arthritis? Answer Below!

The best to way combat JA with diet is to consume anti-inflammatory foods consistent with the Mediterranean diet. Such foods include tomatoes, olive/fish oils, almonds, walnuts, green leafy vegetables, and fruits, especially strawberries, blueberries, cherries, and oranges.

Here is an example of what JA can look like. The knee with the red arrow is showing signs of JA while the knee with the black arrows is a normal knee.

On Friday you got to see an example of JA in the knee from the outside perspective. Today, the diagram below depicts what the inside of the knee looks like in someone who has JA.

An important part of treating JA is to ensure the child is getting adequate exercise. The best exercise regimen for these children is swimming! Swimming uses many of the joints without putting weight on the joints.

Individuals with JA are prescribed medication to decrease pain and potential joint damage. Medications include: - Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: reduce pain and swelling - Biologic agents: reduce inflammation and prevent joint damage - Corticosteroids: reduce inflammation

JA in the U.S. is 300K cases annually. There are ranges depending on the type of JA (JIA 4-14 per 100K & JRA 1.6-86.1 per 100K annually). Ambiguity of prevalence in U.S. & worldwide could be attributed to diagnosis difficulty, environmental influences, & new research/ criteria.

There are some diet guidelines that children with JA should follow. This includes getting plenty of vitamin D, healthy oils, and fiber while excluding fried, processed, and high sugar foods.

Going off of Friday's tweet -- Many studies suggest that the consumption of antioxidants has anti-inflammatory effects on the body resulting in the decrease of pain and swelling in individuals with JA

Surgery for JA? While surgery intervention is not common, joint synovectomy & joint replacements are done to lower pain, improve joint position, & normal levels of physical activity.

Pilates for JA? Research has shown that pilates is a very effective treatment for JA especially because of how low impact it is and how much range of motion exercises and strengthening it provides

JIA can lead to a number of physiological changes and, if untreated, complications with the eyes, skin, intestines, stomach, liver, reproductive organs, and growth.

Weird Fact Wednesday: In the U.S. Alaska, Minnesota, and Maryland have the highest incidence of JA according to the study "Juvenile Arthritis-Who gets it, Where, and When? A review of current data on incidence and prevalence”- B. Anderson Gare

Thanks so much for following us these past few months! We hope you learned as much as we did!