What Are Growing Pains? 5 Causes To Be Vigilant Of

Growing pains are typically described as a throbbing or dull discomfort in the legs, usually in the calves, behind the knees, or at the front of the thighs.

There is no evidence that growth is painful, despite the term “growing pains.” Growing pains may be associated with a decreased pain threshold or, in some cases, psychological issues.

Growing pains are not explicitly treated. You can make your youngster more comfortable by massaging the aching muscles and applying a warm heating pad.

Growing pains can be a painful topic for parents, both literally and figuratively speaking.

Fortunately, the illness is not dangerous, even though it can be very uncomfortable. Continue reading what are growing pains.

1. What are Growing Pains?

Growing pains are a dull ache or throbbing discomfort that typically affects a child’s legs or, less frequently, arms. They are the most prevalent kind of discomfort in kids.

They are diagnostic of exclusion, meaning other illnesses must have been ruled out before they can be diagnosed.

Growing discomfort typically begins in the late afternoon or early evening and ends in the morning.

The pain might awaken your child if it is severe enough. While they may happen every day, they usually only do so rarely.

Every child experience growing pains differently. Growing pains can endure for a short while or several hours.

There could be light, medium, or severe discomfort. The pain may be constant if your child has them, but it usually occurs only occasionally. Children with severe cases might experience agony daily.

1.1. Causes of Growing Pains in Kids

Growing pains have an unknown origin, and bone development is not painful. Growing pains are most likely the result of overused muscles from the day.

Everyday childhood activities like running around and playing games, which can tax muscles, can contribute to this overuse.

Growing pains are usually the result of overused muscles from the day.

Typical children’s activities like running about and playing games, which can tax muscles, might contribute to this overuse.

Parents frequently claim that they can anticipate when their kids will be uncomfortable, frequently on days when they engage in more physical activity or when they are weary and cranky.

2. Symptoms of Growing Pains

Legs will typically feel achy or throbbing from growing aches. This discomfort frequently develops in the calves, behind the knees, or the front of the thighs. Both legs typically have pain.

During growing pains, some kids may also endure headaches or stomach pain. It doesn’t hurt all the time. In and out it goes.

Growing pains often start in the late afternoon or early evening and end in the morning. Sometimes a young child will awaken in the middle of the night in pain.

2.1. When To Seek Medical Attention

If your kid has leg pain, especially if the pain is severe, speak with their daycare provider.

• Persistent
• Even in the morning, they were still there.
• severe enough to prevent your youngster from engaging in their everyday activities
• within the joints
• connected to an injury
• accompanied by additional symptoms or indicators, such as weakness or weariness, loss of appetite, redness, soreness, swelling, fever, limping, or rash

3. How Are Growing Pains Treated?

Growing aches are not explicitly treated. One of the finest ways to relieve pain in your child’s legs is to massage and stretch them.

Heat and painkillers like ibuprofen may also be beneficial.

Remember that administering aspirin to children can result in Reye’s syndrome, an uncommon but dangerous illness, especially if the child is young or has a severe viral infection.

Give your child a longer-lasting pain reliever, such as naproxen, if their growing pains frequently cause them to wake up.

4. How To Diagnose Growing Pains?

Growing pains cannot be explicitly treated; the diagnosis requires excluding other disorders.

Gentle stretching, massages, and warm baths can help lessen stiffness while promoting flexibility. Arch supports and heel lifts are temporary painkillers that might be effective.

Ibuprofen and other medications might also be helpful; be careful not to give aspirin to kids. Try naproxen if your child’s growing pains frequently cause them to wake up.

It’s possible that a child’s limb ache is not necessarily a sign of developing pain.

Parents should pay attention to any signs suggesting their children may not feel well. For instance, it is important to see a doctor if your joints start to swell.

The same holds for uncomfortable temperatures, discomfort in just one leg, redness, excruciating back or arm pain, appetite loss, weight loss, or fever. A child who experiences severe and ongoing growing pains will also require medical attention.

Even though there is no known way to prevent or avoid them, the good news is that growing pains are often not hazardous and serve as a normal part of growth for many youngsters.

But in the interim, being able to ease your child’s suffering can help the time pass more quickly.

4.1. Risk Factors

Every child experience growing pains differently, and not every child will. Growing pains could last for a short while or several hours.

There could be light, medium, or severe discomfort. The pain could be chronic if your child has them, but it usually only occurs occasionally. Children who have severe cases could experience agony daily.

Children in preschool and school-age frequently experience growing pains. They affect girls slightly more frequently than they do guys. Leg pain at night may be more likely if you exercise during the day by running, climbing, or jumping.

5. Other Causes Similar To Growing Pains

Growing pains by themselves are not harmful, but the pain could also be an indication of something else. The following ailments can also produce similar pain:

5.1. Idiopathic Juvenile Arthritis

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis comes in six varieties. Idiopathic conditions, for which there is no recognized cause, are the ones that are most likely to produce discomfort resembling growing pains.

Idiopathic juvenile arthritis also manifests as:

• Aching and swollen joints
• warmth to the touch in the joints
• fever
• rash fatigue stiffness

5.2. Fragile X Syndrome

A long-lasting or chronic disorder, fibromyalgia. It is linked to generalized weariness, soreness, and extensive muscle and bone discomfort. Other fibromyalgia signs and symptoms include:

• depression
• Having trouble concentrating (or feeling “foggy”)
• headaches

5.3. Osteosarcoma (Bone Cancer)

Osteosarcoma is a bone cancer that primarily affects children and adolescents.

It typically begins close to the ends of the arm or leg bones, frequently involving the end of one of the long bones close to the knee, and it can grow slowly or quickly.

The most prevalent symptom is pain or swelling in the arm or limb.

Often, this pain gets worse at night or after exercise. The child may begin to limp if the tumor is in the leg. Because a broken bone weakens the bone, in some cases, it will be the first indication of cancer.

5.4. Restless Leg Syndrome

The constant urge to move your legs is one of the symptoms of restless leg syndrome.

It produces an uncomfortable feeling that might be momentarily alleviated by movement.

Restless leg syndrome symptoms typically strike while sitting or lying down at night. Sleeping may be disturbed.

5.5. Hypermobility

Your joints become hypermobile when they move beyond their typical range of motion. Additionally, it is referred to as “double-jointed.” Joint hypermobility syndrome is a condition that also includes muscular stiffness and joint pain.

Soft tissue injuries, including sprains and dislocations, are more common in those with hypermobility.

Symptoms of hypermobility frequently deteriorate at night and following exercise. With relaxation, they frequently improve.

Suggested Reading – When To Worry About Leg Cramps? 5 Ways to Treat Them.

6. Final Words

Growing pains are characterized by an excruciating, throbbing sensation that typically affects both sides of the body, primarily the legs.

Usually commencing in the late afternoon or evening and disappearing by dawn, the pain comes and goes. Some kids have growth pains in addition to headaches or stomach problems.

Growing pains are mostly mild discomforts that pass in youngsters. The best ways to reduce your child’s pain include massage, stretching, and over-the-counter painkillers.

There are, however, some underlying illnesses that have alarmingly similar symptoms. If the pain interferes with your child’s daily activities or if they exhibit any of these other symptoms, they should see a doctor.

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