When a child wakes up in the middle of the night complaining of leg aches and pains, determining the source might be difficult. The term “growing pains” is frequently used to describe this poorly understood phenomenon. Even if the cause of their discomfort in the middle of the night is unknown, there are things parents may do to help.
- Growth pains often occur in the evening or at night and produce aches and pains in the legs.
- Growing pains are not connected to growth or growth spurts, despite their name.
- Growing pains are normally outgrown by the age of 12 years.
- Massage, stretching, warmth, and pain medications can all help to alleviate developing pains.
Children between the ages of three and twelve are prone to grow pains. The pain usually manifests as a late-night dull ache or cramp that affects the child’s limbs, although the legs are the most commonly affected.
What exactly are developing pains?
So, just what are growing pains? A question that is simpler to ask than to answer. The fact is that there is no one, definitive definition. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), they analyzed over a hundred research studies. Nonetheless, the researchers frequently employed ambiguous explanations of developing pains and occasionally differed.
When all of these factors come together, the AAP believes that the most consistent method among professionals is to diagnose growing pains:
- Leg, ankle, and foot discomfort
- Pain that often occurs in the evening or at night and disappears by the morning
- recurring discomfort
- A medical examination by a doctor reveals no additional causes.
- Are growing pains truly painful?
Scientists believe that the agony associated with developing pains is real. The pain in the calves, shins, and thighs feels like cramping or a deep ache. Pain might be minimal, but for some youngsters, it is severe. Aches and pains might linger for minutes or hours. Some children get it on a regular basis, but it can also be intermittent, lasting days, weeks, or months.
What is the source of increasing pains?
Growing pains, however, do not frequently occur during periods of fast growth. Hence, while there appears to be minimal discussion about altering the term, experts concur that growing pains are not caused by growth.
So, what really causes growing pains? Another unresolved question, however there are several hypotheses:
- Physical exercise. According to several studies, youngsters have greater bouts of growing pains after engaging in physical exercise.
- Vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D is necessary for bone formation, and some scientists believe that weaker bones may induce growing pains.
- Problems with the joints and bones. According to some study, growing pains are associated with particularly flexible and movable joints or flat feet.
- Stress can be either mental or emotional. According to several studies, youngsters with high stress levels are more prone to have growing pains.
- Most developing aches subside around the age of 11 or 12. Teenagers occasionally complain about growing pains, but this is unusual.
How to Handle Growing Pains in Children
Parents understandably want to make their children feel better when they are experiencing growing pains. Here are some suggestions on how parents might assist:
Encourage your youngster to undertake stretching exercises, especially before going to bed. Inquire with your child’s doctor about the greatest stretches for him or her.
- Massage your child’s legs before bedtime and if he or she is in pain.
- Before night, give your youngster a warm bath to relax and soothe muscles.
- Let your youngster to use a heating pad (with supervision).
- See your child’s doctor to see if pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen are recommended.
- If your child’s healthcare practitioner has advised shoe inserts for flat feet, follow the recommendations.
- Assure your youngster that growing aches are just temporary and will pass.
- Growing pains can be a source of concern and sleep disruption for children and their parents, despite the fact that they are little understood. Use the techniques above to help ease these aches and pains, and if your kid is experiencing growing pains, consult your doctor or healthcare provider.
Erin Balsa is a highly skilled and knowledgeable health journalist with a passion for educating the public on important health and wellness topics. With extensive experience in both traditional and digital media, Erin has established herself as a trusted voice in the field.