Juvenile Arthritis - Treatment

The goal of treating JA is to decrease the inflammation in a joint. In this way, the patient retains better movement. Common medications used to reduce inflammation are the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (pronounced i-byoo-PRO-fuhn, trade name Advil) and naproxen (pronounced nuh-PROKS-suhn, trade name Aleve). Steroid drugs can also be given by mouth or injection. Oral injections are helpful but have dangerous long-term side effects. Injections of steroids directly into a joint are often the best treatment.

Other drugs used to treat JA include methotrexate (pronounced methuh-TREK-sate), sulfasalazine (pronounced SULL-fuh-SAL-uh-zeen), penicillamine (pronounced pen-i-SIL-uh-meen), and hydroxychloroquine (pronounced hi-droks-ee-KLOR-uh-kween). Steroid eyedrops can be used to treat eye inflammations.

Physical therapy and exercise are often recommended to improve joint mobility and muscle strength. Occasionally, splints are used to rest painful joints and to prevent or improve deformed joints.

Alternative Treatment

Some practitioners recommend juice therapy for treating JA. Patients are encouraged to drink a mixture of fruit and vegetable juices, including carrots, celery, cabbage, cherries, lemons, beets, cucumbers, radishes, and garlic. Another alternative therapy is aromatherapy, in which the patient inhales vapors that include cypress, fennel, and lemon. Massage with oils such as rosemary, chamomile, camphor, juniper, and lavender can sometimes be helpful. Other types of therapy include acupuncture (a Chinese therapy that involves the use of fine needles) and acupressure (a Chinese therapy treatment during which pressure is applied to certain points in the body).

Some authorities believe that nutritional supplements can relieve the symptoms of JA. These supplements include large amounts of antioxidants (vitamins A, C, and E; zinc; and selenium) as well as B vitamins and minerals such as boron, copper, and manganese.

There is some evidence that JA can be caused by food allergies. Patients should identify any foods that increase their symptoms and exclude those foods from their diet.