Did you know that July is a month dedicated to raising awareness for juvenile arthritis awareness? In children, achy joints are oftentimes brushed off as growing pains that naturally occur with age. But in certain cases, these pains may be juvenile arthritis, something that affects joints throughout the body, including in the feet. Here are some common signs of which you should be aware, especially if you have children.
Pain & Stiffness
If your child is involved in strenuous activities, they may feel like they are in pain or feel stiff at certain times. However, kids who suffer from juvenile arthritis feel pain after waking up from a night of sleep or taking a nap. Pain occurs in the knees, hands, neck, jaw and feet, and it may develop slowly on both sides of the body, such as in both feet instead of just one.
Fevers
Frequent fevers along with excessive fatigue is a warning sign of juvenile arthritis. While once in a while, fevers are standard in children, be aware of frequent fevers that are accompanied by fatigue or malaise. For children with juvenile arthritis, fevers may occur suddenly and without warning, even occurring at the same time of the day.
Weight Loss
Kids are often picky about what foods they eat which may cause weight loss, but if your child is gaining weight at a fast pace, this is a red flag.
Make sure you visit a doctor if you notice any of the above red flags!
Source: Kids Arthritis Too