Growing Pains: The Struggle Is Real

No. It's not that 80's TV show where Alan Thicke and his TV wife, Joanna Kerns tried to parent Kirk Cameron, Tracey Gold and Jeremy Miller.

According to nhs.uk, growing pains are aches or pains, usually in the lower legs, experienced by children aged between three and 12.

The pains nomally occur in the evening or night and sometimes while they are sleeping.

Some doctors refer to it as recurrent nocturnal limb pain in children".

Sypmtoms

1. Intense, cramp-like pain in both legs. 

2. Most often affect the calves, shins or ankles, but can also affect the thighs.

3. The pains develop in the evening or at night (often after more active days), but should not  be present in the morning.

4.It should not affect the child's ability to walk.

Causes

The cause of growing pains is unknown, although they seem to be more common in active children and children with loose, flexible joints (joint hypermobility). They also tend to run in families.

There's no clear evidence to suggest they are the result of growth spurts or any underlying conditions.

Treatment

1. Give your child paracetamol or ibuprofen to manage the pain. Sometimes, giving them painkillers before bedtime after an active day can prevent them waking in the night.  However, children under 16 should not be given aspirin unless your doctor specifically advises this.

2.Firmly massage your child's leg muscles and joints or apply warmth to their legs, for example with heat packs.

3. Wear supportive footwear such as trainers that might help prevent growing pains. 

However, you are advised to seek immediate medical treatment if your child shows severe symptoms such as pain in just one leg, pain that affects  the arms or back, pain that occurs every night or continues during the day, swollen joints, a high temperature, loss of appetite, weight loss, reluctance to walk, or a limp with no obvious cause.

Source: nhs.uk