Growing Pains

Overview

Growing pains are cramping or aching pains in your child’s limbs. They usually affect your child’s legs. Growing pains are the most common cause of pain in your child’s musculoskeletal system. The pains generally affect both legs and happen at night. Growing pains usually occur in kids ages 3 to 12. These pains occur equally in boys and girls. By the time your child is a teenager, the growing pains should stop. Although these pains are called growing pains, there’s no evidence that growth causes the pain.

Are growing pains real?

Growing pains isn’t a good description for this condition because they’re not related to growing or a growth spurt. The name was given in the 1930s to 1940s when the pains were thought to be from faster growth of the bones than of the tendons. We know today that’s not true. The name has remained despite our new understanding of these pains.

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Symptoms

When to see a doctor

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Complications

Blood clots are a dangerous complication of atrial fibrillation (AFib). Blood clots can lead to stroke.

The risk of stroke from AFib increases as you grow older. Other health conditions also may increase the risk of a stroke due to AFib. These conditions include:

High blood pressure.
Diabetes.
Heart failure.
Some types of heart valve disease.

Blood thinners are commonly prescribed to prevent blood clots and strokes in people with atrial fibrillation.

Prevention

Healthy lifestyle choices can reduce the risk of heart disease and may prevent atrial fibrillation (AFib). Here are some basic heart-healthy tips:

Control high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
Don't smoke or use tobacco.
Eat a diet that's low in salt and saturated fat.
Exercise at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week unless your health care team says not to.
Get good sleep. Adults should aim for 7 to 9 hours daily.
Maintain a healthy weight.
Reduce and manage stress.

By Freedmans Health Clinic Staff

Living with atrial fibrillation?

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