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Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is rare but can be devastating. Here’s one girl’s story

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Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, as the name suggests, is rare and not life-threatening. But the swollen joints and inflammation caused by this disease can be devastating for very young children.

Maggie Root was just 2 when a swollen toe signaled something was wrong. The Virginia girl says in this Newport News Daily Press story: “My fingers started hurting, and my neck. My fingers were all red,” she says.

The disease affects about 300,000 children in the United States, and its cause remains unknown. Some cases are linked to autoimmune disorders but some aren’t, suggests this Q&A from the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.

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And there’s no one cure that works for all. For Maggie, who’s now 5, and others, treatment comes in the form of anti-inflammatory drugs, exercise and overall well-being. The Juvenile Arthritis Alliance explains here how a combination of these efforts can help.

Check out this video at FamilyDoctor.org showing another young girl describes her experience with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.

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