Growing Pain are often described as an ache or throb in the legs — often in the front of the thighs, the calves or behind the knees. Growing pains tend to affect both legs and occur at night, and may even wake a child from sleep.
It’s the most common type of pain in children. It may occur every day, but usually only happen intermittently. Growing pains usually occur in children between ages 2 and 12, often starting between 3 and 5 years of age.
Causes of Growing Pains
Despite the name “growing pains,” there is no firm evidence that growing pains are linked to growth spurts.
Instead, growing pains may simply be muscle aches due to intense childhood activities .These activities include running, jumping, and climbing. Growing pains seem to be more common after a kid has a particularly full day of sports.
How Does Growing Pain Feel?
Growing pains are different for everyone. Some kids have a lot of pain, others do not. Most kids do not have pain every day.
Growing pains can come and go. They may be experienced for months or even years. Most kids outgrow growing pains within a few years.
The pain is usually felt in the late afternoon and evening, right before dinner time, and at bedtime. The leg pains may hurt so much that they may wake your child from sleep. Growing pains disappear in the morning.
In general, growing pains are felt in both legs, especially in the front of the thighs, back of legs (calves), or behind the knees.
Some children also have headaches or abdominal aches in addition to growing pains.
The Other Causes having symptoms like Growing Pain…
- Vitamin D deficiency
- Hypermobility-Hypermobility is when joints move beyond the normal range of motion. When there’s muscle stiffness and joint pain in addition to hypermobility, it’s called joint hypermobility syndrome. Hypermobility symptoms often get worse at night and after exercise. They tend to get better with rest.
- Restless leg syndrome-Restless leg syndrome is a condition characterized by the uncontrollable urge to move the legs. Symptoms of restless leg syndrome usually happen at night, while sitting or lying down.
- Juvenile idiopathic arthritis-I includes joint pain and swelling, joints that are warm to the touch, fever, rash, fatigue, stiffness, swollen lymph nodes, weight loss.
- Fibromyalgia syndrome-widespread pain in the muscles and bones, areas of tenderness, and general fatigue.
When a Doctor is needed?
Most growing pains are not serious and will go away on their own. It’s important to remember that growing pains are almost always felt in both legs. Growing pains affect muscles, not joints. And they do not cause limping or fever. any of the following signs and symptoms, they should see a doctor
- pain happens often
- pain caused by an injury
- pain interferes with normal activity
- pain only on one side of their body
- pain in joints, especially with redness and swelling
- pain that lasts into morning
- loss of appetite
- unexplained weight loss
Management & Treatments:
The following things may ease discomfort and help your child feel better:
- Massaging the legs.
- Stretching the leg muscles. This may be difficult for younger kids.
- Placing a warm cloth or heating pad on the sore leg.
In Modern Medicine:
There’s no specific treatment for growing pains. If the pain does not get better, pain relieving medication such as ibuprofen is given in appropriate dose for child. But Aspirin is not given as it may cause life-threatening disease called Reye’s syndrome.
There is also no specific medicine.. Depending upon child’s symptoms totality doctor would select remedy to get rid of pain.. Here are few most commonly used medicines prescribed by doctors. But before giving any of the following to your child always consult with your doctor.
- CALC. PHOS
- BARYTA CARB
- MAG PHOS
- CUPRUM MET
Growing pains are usually harmless pains that children outgrow. Massaging, stretching, and heat compress usually ease your child’s pain. But some underlying conditions with similar symptoms may pose a serious problem. You should consult with doctor if the pain interferes with your child’s daily life or if they have any of other associated symptoms.
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