Help for child with juvenile arthritis

Juvenile Arthritis (JA) is an auto-immune disease in children under 16 years of age brought on by inflammation of tissue that line the inside of joints.

It presents in various types in each individual child, but these types share common symptoms such as joint swelling, redness and pain. It, however, also affects other parts of the body, including the gastrointestinal tract, muscles, eyes and the skin.

Juvenile arthritis has no cure, therefore interventions are aimed at alleviating pain, reducing inflammation and improving the child’s quality of life. Part of the comprehensive care plan involves medication, exercise and good nutrition.

Because medications used by children with JA affects appetite and reduces dietary intake, giving the child small frequent meals instead of three large ones is a great strategy to try out. It is also advisable to stock your kitchen with colourful fruits which help to boost one’s appetite.

Try to include all food groups (proteins, carbohydrates, fruits, vegetables, dairy, fat) in your child’s diet to increase variety. When appetite is impaired, children tend to eat less, and so including most food groups on the plate is a way of ensuring they get a little bit of everything in one small meal.

Maintaining a healthy weight in juvenile arthritis really helps to alleviate the symptoms and prevent pain due to pressure on the joints. Avoid foods high in sugar and fat as they tend to add extra calories instead include whole meal starches and grains since they are rich in fiber and achieve satiety without an extra calorie load.

Alleviate inflammation with foods rich in omega 3 fatty acids (fatty fish) and beta-carotene (found in brightly coloured fruits and vegetables).