JIA
Learning HubThe Taking Charge: Managing JIA Online Program provides teens with information on different types of JIA, managing symptoms, and coping with JIA management now and in the future.
Getting started
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.
About 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.
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Overview
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Different types of JIA
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Effects of JIA
Diagnosis of JIA
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.
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Diagnostic tests
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Coping with diagnosis
Managing symptoms
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.
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Managing pain
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Managing fatigue
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Managing stiffness
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Managing stress
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Your plan for managing symptoms
Coping strategies
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.
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Relaxation
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Distraction
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Managing your thoughts
JIA medications
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.
- Overview of JIA medications
- Taking JIA medications
- Types of JIA medications
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for JIA
- Corticosteroids for JIA
- Corticosteroid joint injections for JIA
- Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) for JIA
- Biologic agents and JIA
- Other questions about JIA medications
Other types of care for JIA
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.
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Physiotherapy
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Exercise and yoga
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Occupational therapy
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Other types of care
Therapies, self-monitoring and supports
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.
Your lifestyle
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.
Looking ahead
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.