Arthritis Resources for Teens
Mark Arthritis Awareness Month by learning about juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and the resources AboutKidsHealth offers for teens with JIA.
What is JIA?
JIA is inflammation of the joints without a known cause that affects children and teens. JIA can also affect other body systems in addition to the joints, including the eyes and the muscles.
JIA can be managed with various treatment options, including medications, physiotherapy, exercise, nutrition and psychological treatments
JIA can be managed with various treatment options, including medications, physiotherapy, exercise, nutrition and psychological treatments. Teens can learn more about JIA treatment and therapy options for JIA in AboutKidHealth's JIA learning hub for teens. The learning hub has sections on:
- JIA medications: how they work, common side effects and the importance of teens talking to their doctors about their medication plan
- Other types of therapies and strategies to manage JIA symptoms: physical, occupational and psychological therapies; maintaining healthy nutrition; surgical options for JIA and more
JIA resources for teens
With more than 80 articles, the learning hub covers a variety of topics to help teens with JIA manage arthritis and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Other topics covered in the teen JIA learning hub include:
- The seven different types of JIA
- Effects and complications of JIA
- How JIA is diagnosed
- Coping strategies
- Tips for maintaining a healthy lifestyle
- Transitioning from paediatric to adult care
Visit teens.aboutkidshealth.ca/jiateenhub for a full list of resources to help your teen learn more about juvenile idiopathic arthritis and how it can be managed.
AboutKidsHealth is SickKids’ health-education website and features more than 3,500 articles on a range of health topics. For more information on arthritis in teens and other health topics, visit teens.aboutkidshealth.ca.
