Growing pains which typically occur at night in children 3-8 years of age.
Growing pains are muscle aches that some preschoolers and preteens feel in both legs and the pain usually occurs in the late afternoon or evenings. But it may also cause your child to wake up in the middle of the night and can affect both legs.
One-third of children are said to suffer from growing pains. Doctors don’t know exactly what causes growing pains and it is not well understood, but they may be linked to a lowered pain threshold or, in some cases, to psychological issues. Most experts would agree that growth itself, which occurs at such a slow rate is unlikely to cause pain. Other factors that have been implicated include overexertion, fatigue and chemical imbalance.
There’s no cure for growing pains. You can make your child more comfortable by putting a warm heating pad on the sore muscles and massaging them. Pain relievers are usually unnecessary since the symptoms usually subside before the medication takes effect, but a massage or a heating pad may help the child endure the 10-20 minutes of discomfort. Stretching the leg muscles may also help to relieve pain.
For most children, growing pains stop once they reach their teens. While growing pains are harmless, some types of leg pain in children may be caused by underlying conditions that can be treated.
if the condition becomes severe and is accompanied by other symptoms, it is recommended that you consult a medical doctor for further advice.
