Introduction.
Polyarthritis is another type of arthritis that attacks the joints and has two other names, polyarticular arthritis or inflammatory Polyarthritis.
‘Poly’ means many, and Polyarthritis can have pain or muscle aches with inflammation in five or more joints simultaneously.
It comes from the rheumatoid arthritis group as it relates to autoimmune disease and can start with a particular viral infection.
Causes of Polyarthritis.
The cause of Polyarthritis is that it attacks your healthy immune system and mistakes its own cells and tissues.
Researchers have not understood the autoimmune disease, but they have found that it is strongly believed to be associated with the environment we are living in or genetics.
The following list is autoimmune disorders that are commonly linked with Polyarthritis:
•Gout.
•Lupus.
•Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis.
•Psoriatic Arthritis.
•Sarcoidosis.
•Scleroderma.
Polyarthritis also occurs as a part of another illness like rheumatic fever or viral infection, hepatitis and many more…
You can develop this at any age, from the elderly to children; when it attacks children, it’s called juvenile idiopathic arthritis or JIA.
Other causes of Polyarthritis are when your body has an infection that weakens your immune system.
The list below shows you different causes for Polyarthritis:
•Cancer.
•Still’s disease
•Sarcoidosis.
•Whipple’s disease.
•Lupus.
•Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
•Parvovirus.
Symptoms of Polyarthritis.
The first symptom could be a flu-like illness.
Other symptoms are from your joints and the following you should see your doctor if they last more than three days or pain and swelling which recur over a short time:
The symptoms could be pain and inflamed also:
Swelling of the joints – When you have swelling for more than thirty minutes, you should see your doctor.
•Feeling warm -joints may become warm to the touch and look red.
•Pain and stiffness – you should see a doctor if this continues for over thirty minutes.
•Activities – you will find that motion will become lessened.
•You don’t feel like eating (lack of appetite).
•A rash appears over your skin.
•and much more…
Polyarthritis in Children.
Polyarticular arthritis in children is the second most common type of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis and is likely to last into adulthood. There are two types of Polyarthritis in children; the first is:
Polyarticular RF Positive arthritis.
This positive arthritis is joint in children over the age of ten. It is categorized as an irregular connection as more than one joint can be attacked; you will also see the following:
•You may feel hard bumps under the skin (or rheumatoid nodules).
•Fatigue – your child may feel tired all the time.
•They may be anaemia- this is low red blood cells that reduce haemoglobin levels.
•Also, general feeling of unwell.
•It can affect large and small joints like hands, feet and hips, knees etc.
•There could be a low risk of eye disease.
Polyarticular RF negative arthritis.
The second is negative arthritis. Which can begin at any age, and it’s more likely to be in girls than boys. Also, it starts in many joints at the same time.
Polyarticular negative arthritis mainly occurs:
•At any age, and could last into adulthood.
•And the joints can be damaged,
•hard to be mobile (disability) or even problems with their growth.
Treatment of Polyarthritis.
The treatment for Polyarthritis is the same as for any autoimmune disease like rheumatoid arthritis.
Your doctor could give you or your little one the following:
Drugs can include:
•Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs will reduce pain and stiffness.
•Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs help to slow the disease as they are longer-term painkillers.
•Corticosteroids – These are injections into the vein that can lower inflammation and help control the pain.
You could also help yourself by doing home remedies to reduce symptoms.
Home Remedies.
Home remedies that can help you with your inflammation and pains could be the following:
•Warming therapies – a warm bath, warm gloves, or even what I use are heat pads. I have lower spine problems, and when I lay in bed, I have it under my back, which helps me sleep.
•But if you are having a flare-up, you should use an ice pack; this can reduce the redness and cool the area. But it would be best always to put a towel around the ice pack. Never put the ice pack straight onto your skin.
•Exercise – gentle exercises like swimming, walking (weather permitting), and stretching can help keep the joints moving and healthy.
•Go to a gym where you can try their treadmill and cycle, but always get help if you are unsure how to use them.
• A proper diet, keeping your weight down is the main object, as this will help your joints.
Conclusion.
Polyarthritis is an arthritic disease that can attack adults as well as children. The condition is related to rheumatoid arthritis, which attacks your healthy immune system.
The symptoms are painful and a disabling disease that can significantly affect your health and lifestyle.
In the early stages, you will feel very depressed. However, early treatment may decrease the risk of bone deformity and heart complications.
Overall, if you can detect early warning signs of Polyarthritis, take the proper actions, and speak to your healthcare team, which can provide the elements to stop this disease in its tracks.
Always consult your doctor if you want to start exercising or taking supplements, as this could do more harm than good.
I am not a medical professional, and the information in this article is for information only. Always consult your doctor if you have any worries.
I hope this has helped you, and good luck.
Linda.
Linda is now a retired bookkeeper. She suffered from arthritis and IBS. Linda now spends her days doing blogs, articles and videos to help people with arthritis and its condition and symptoms.
She has a website which is https://foodwitharthitis.com/
Article by: Linda Jane Rook June 4, 2023