Growing Pains Not a Myth

If your child has awakened during the middle of the night, complaining that his or her legs are hurting, then the culprit could well be attributed to growing pains. While many parents today may have thought that such pains were merely one of many old wives tales, doctors today are confirming that growing pains really do exist and they can result in severe pain for your growing son or daughter.

Generally, growing pains affect children in two different age groups. Most commonly, children are affected in the 3-5 year old range and later in childhood, between ages 8 and 12. While not all children are affected by growing pains, research indicates that they are quite common; affecting approximately 40% of all kids.

Unfortunately, research has not been able to tell us exactly why growing pains occur. While most parents tend to believe that the pains are a result of the actual growing of bones, it is now believed that this isn’t actually the case. Doctors believe the most common reason for growing pains could actually be related more to the tremendous activity children tend to engage in on a daily basis.

Of course, one of the most common symptoms of growing pains are the actual pains children experience in the legs, usually at night. Pains can appear in the calves, frontal thigh area as well as behind the knees.

The pain experienced by most children tends to vary from one child to the next as well as one occasion to the next. Most kids do not experience growing pains every day. In some cases, the pains may be more severe on one day than another. If your child appears to be particularly bothered by pains in his or her legs, it’s a good idea to take them to see their pediatrician in order to be sure that something more serious isn’t going on. Serious symptoms which would indicate the need to contact a doctor include fever, limping, unusual rashes, swelling and/or redness. His or her doctor will conduct a number of tests to rule out other potential conditions.

You can help your child through this difficult time by massing the area where pain is experienced as well as by placing a heated pad on the affected area. Ibuprofen or acetaminophen may also help to ease the discomfort. Remember to never give aspirin to children under the age of 12 due to the possibility of Reye syndrome, which can be potentially fatal.

 
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