What Are Growing Pains & Why Do They Happen?
How serious are growing pains?
Growing pains can be described as an ache or throb on both legs. They usually occur during late afternoon or at bedtime, & usually the pain is gone by morning. Growing pains can come & go over months or even years. They can start at age 3-4 then recur by age 8-12. It is different for everyone. Some kids may experience a lot of pain, while others may not. Also, most kids do not have pain every day. Here are some more signs of growing pains.
- Pain is in muscles, not in the joints
- Pain occurs more frequently with girls than boys
- May be accompanied by headaches and/or abdominal pains
Growing pains are not a sign of anything serious. Although there is no concrete evidence, it is most likely that a full day of physical activity is the most common cause why growing pains happen. Activities such as running, jumping, climbing tend to overuse the muscles & lead to growing pains. Here are some ways to relieve your child's pain.
- Gently massage the painful area
- Apply a hot compress on the affected area
- Give a warm bath before bed
- Do regular stretching exercises
In cases where the pain is prolonged or is too much for the child, you may ask your GP if you can give medicine such as ibuprofen to your child. Here are some factors to watch out for to know when to bring your child to your GP.
- Pain is only on one leg
- Pain is consistent until the morning
- Pain is felt on joints, accompanied by redness, swelling or tenderness of the area
- Limping or difficulty in walking
- Fever
- Weight loss / loss of appetite / weakness
Children need the correct vitamins and minerals for healthy development. ActiKid Multi-Vitamin Drops for children aged below 3 years and Magic Beans for kids age 4 years and above provide the nutrients needed for their growth including Vitamins A, B6, B12, C, D, E and K.
ActiKid – Nourishing the next generation.
This article contains general information regarding health and well-being. This information is not intended as advice and should not be treated as such. You must not rely on the information on this website as an alternative to advice from medical or educational professionals.
