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Types of JIA

In order to treat your JIA, your doctor needs to diagnose what type you have.

Your doctor will decide this based on:

• your symptoms and how long you have had them
• how many joints are affected
• your family history
• other tests such as blood tests and imaging scans of your joints.

It may take your doctor some time to be absolutely sure what type of JIA you have. You will learn more about how JIA is diagnosed in “Diagnosis of JIA.”

Sometimes the type of JIA you have may change over time. Also, while all types of JIA can last into adulthood, some are more likely to do so than others.

There are seven different types of JIA:

• Oligoarticular JIA (two different types)
• Polyarticular JIA (two different types)
• Systemic JIA (sJIA)
• Enthesitis-related JIA
• Psoriatic JIA.

Do you know what type of JIA you have? Knowing the type of JIA you have will help you to:

• learn more about that specific type of JIA
• understand how that type of JIA will develop over time
• learn about which medicines may be more helpful for that type of JIA
• develop goals to help manage that particular type of JIA.

 

Welcome to the Taking Charge: Managing JIA Online Program! In this section you will learn what to expect in the program, how to get started and how to set goals to better manage JIA.

JIA stands for juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Find out what causes JIA, the different types of JIA and how it will affect you now and in the future.

Diagnosing JIA may be difficult as joint pain and swelling may be a part of many different illnesses. Diagnosis of JIA typically includes a physical exam, blood tests and imaging studies.

Pain, stiffness, and tiredness or fatigue, are common symptoms of JIA. These symptoms can lead to difficulties with participating in school and sports activities, and enjoying time with your friends. Learn about pain, fatigue, and stiffness, how to manage symptoms and how these symptoms can cause stress.

There are several strategies you can use to help you cope with pain, stress, and sleep problems. These include relaxation, distraction, and managing your thoughts. In this section, learn more about how each of these strategies work.

When you know about your medications, you can talk to your doctor about them and make good choices for yourself. Find out about the different types of JIA medications, how they work, common side effects, and the importance of talking to your doctor about your medication plan.

Did you know that there are many other therapies that you can use to manage JIA symptoms? They can help to prevent complications so that you can do all the things you want to do. In this section, learn more about physical, occupational, and psychological therapies; maintaining healthy nutrition; surgical options for JIA, and more.

Your role in making decisions about your treatment plan is very important. Your health-care team and other members of your support system are available to help you make these decisions. In turn, they can help you to manage your JIA.

Whether you have JIA or not, you need to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Find out how to stay healthy and active, learn about puberty and relationships, healthy body image, and making healthy lifestyle choices.

Sometime between the ages of 18 to 22, you most likely will transition from your pediatric rheumatologist to the adult health care setting. At that time, there are a number of things you, your family, and your health-care team can do to help make this change go smoothly.