Chef Noelian Ortiz issues Call to Awareness Regarding Juvenile Idiopathic arthritis
chef Noelian Ortiz is using her platform to raise awareness about Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA), a group of chronic disorders affecting children. Alongside sharing her culinary creations, Ortiz hopes to shed light on this often-misunderstood condition.
Ortiz recently shared a simple, healthy recipe – strawberry yogurt pops – perfect for children, emphasizing its role as “a refreshing, nutritious and delicious snack” that her daughter, Liann, enjoys. The recipe involves layering yogurt (low-fat, any flavor) with chopped strawberries in ice pop molds and freezing for 6 to 24 hours until firm.
However, Ortiz’s message extends beyond healthy eating. She is drawing attention to JIA, described by the Medicine Plus portal as a condition causing joint pain and inflammation in children. JIA typically manifests before the age of 16, with symptoms perhaps beginning as early as 6 months old.
The cause of JIA remains unknown, but it is believed to be an autoimmune disease where the body attacks its own healthy tissues. The International League of Associations for Rheumatology (ILAR) categorizes JIA into five main forms:
* Systemic JIA: The least common but potentially most severe, involving joint pain, fevers, and skin rashes, resembling Still’s disease in adults.
* Polyarthritis: Affecting many joints, potentially developing into rheumatoid arthritis, and involving five or more joints in the legs, arms, jaw, and neck. Rheumatoid factor might potentially be present.
* oligoarthritis (persistent and widespread): Involving one to four joints, typically wrists or knees, and often affecting the eyes.
* Arthritis related to enthesitis: Resembling spondyloarthritis in adults, often impacting the sacroiliac joint.
* Psoriatic arthritis: Diagnosed in children with arthritis and psoriasis, nail diseases, or a family history of psoriasis.
Symptoms of JIA can include swollen, red, or hot joints; lameness; recurring high fevers; skin rashes; joint stiffness, pain, and limited range of motion; persistent lower back pain; pale skin; swollen lymph nodes; and a generally unwell appearance. Importantly,JIA can also cause eye problems like uveitis,iridocyclitis,or iritis,presenting as red eyes,eye pain (especially with light sensitivity),and changes in vision.
Treatment for JIA varies depending on the severity. For limited joint involvement, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen or naproxen may suffice. Corticosteroids can be used for severe flare-ups, but prolonged use in children is discouraged due to potential toxicity. Children with arthritis in multiple joints, or those experiencing fever, rash, and swollen glands, may require disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) to reduce swelling.
Chef Noelian Ortiz encourages those seeking more data about her and her work to follow her on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. By combining her passion for food with advocacy for JIA awareness, she hopes to make a positive impact on the lives of children and families affected by this condition.