"Growing pains"
Aching bones are not just associated with the elderly
Bangkok Post - Dec 23, 2010
By Anjira Assavanonda
It sounds like a symptom of ageing that shouldn't happen to a child.
However, a number of parents are worried to find their children awake in the night with throbbing pains in their legs.
When that happens, some parents panic and get confused about how to help their kids.
"The symptoms can be what's medically known as growing pains, which usually occurs at any age between three and 12," said Dr Direk Israngkul, an orthopaedic specialist at Vichaiyut Hospital.
Growing pains are normally felt around the knees, the front of the thighs and the shinbones, as well as the ankles and feet. However, when you try to pinpoint the exact spot of pain, it just can't be located. This is because it's actually leg-pain symptoms, not the inflammation of muscles.
What are the causes and symptoms?
Dr Direk said there is no firm evidence on the causes of pain, but it seems to happen when children are experiencing the growth of bone.
The pain and discomfort normally occurs after jumping, running - generally everything that active children do during the day.
The severity of pain ranges from mild to medium, which can cause annoyance and frustration to children. The duration of the pain also varies, from 10-15 minutes to up to an hour.
Dr Direk Israngkul, an orthopaedic specialist at Vichaiyut Hospital.
When it comes to growing pains, there is no inflammation of the muscles, joints or tendons, and the child actually feels better when the painful area is massaged.
"An X-ray would find no abnormalities," said Dr Direk.
He added that some children could also experience chronic headaches, unstable emotions and depression. Some may even suffer from irritable bowel syndrome.
Observations on the connection of fluoride sensitivity and growing pains
Dr Direk believes growing pains are connected to fluoride sensitivity.
"Fluoride is actually useful as it helps prevent tooth decay by building enamel. At the same time, it also stimulates the build-up of periosteum in the bones, which some children are sensitive to," said Dr Direk.
In the past, after Dr Direk has ruled out all other causes of leg pains in a child, he has advised cutting out fluoride.
"In such cases, I would explain to the parents that their child does not have any serious disease, and that the symptoms can be relieved by massaging or temporarily stopping fluoride intake under supervision of a dentists," he said.
However, he noted there are few studies showing any relation between fluoride sensitivity and growing pains.
Other diseases that can be related to leg pains in children
1. Fibromyalgia
Patients will experience pain and inflammation of the muscles. The pains can be felt at particular places, especially when that part is pressed or squeezed. The causes could be from sports, exercise and physical impact. The symptoms can be treated with medication, a supportive device or physical therapy.
2. Rheumatism
Rheumatism refers to a variety of diseases that cause pain, stiffness or limitation of the motion of joints, bones, tendons, ligaments or muscles.
These disorders have particular symptoms that can be clearly diagnosed, including inflammation, degeneration or metabolic derangement of the connective tissue structures involved. Frequently, auto-immune disorders that cause pain and affect other organs are also classified as rheumatism.
3. Iron Deficiency Anaemia
Anaemia happens because the bones become too weak or do not function properly to generate blood cells.
So if a child has anaemia, it is likely that he or she could also experience leg pain as a result.
4. Nightmares
Some children could experience fatigue in the limbs, dizziness, worries and aches as a result of psychological problems. If these happen, consult a psychiatrist.
Treatments for growing pains
1. Medication such as painkillers and drugs to ease inflammation of the bone surface, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, can be given,.
2. Massage the area with balm or anti-inflammation gel.
3. Clarify with parents the causes and progress of the disease. Explain to them that the disease is actually not harmful, and could be cured.
The patients will be told to stop taking fluoride for about a month, and if the symptoms disappear, resume taking fluoride in a few months.
If the symptoms return, it shows your child has fluoride sensitivity. Consult a dentist about how to control the consumption of fluoride.
4. Exercise your leg muscles regularly. Avoid high-impact sports such as football, basketball, volleyball, etc.
5. Perform an X-ray and further examination for better diagnosis of the disease.
Certain facts about fluoride
Despite the overwhelming evidence that fluoride can prevent tooth decay and contribute to the strength of bones, there are some statistics on the internet that show fluoride can also cause harm, such as mottled teeth, bone disorders and degenerative changes in the vital organs.
The information below from the fluoridationfacts.com website listed many examples of fluoride sensitivity from the past.
In 1950, five years after the experimental introduction of fluoride into drinking water in Grand Rapids in the US, the number of deaths from heart disease nearly doubled. Death rates due to cancer, diabetes and arteriosclerosis were all markedly increased compared to death rates for the rest of the state.
Also, in the Chilean town of Curico, fluoridated since 1953, the annual statistics revealed that among malnourished children in comparable to non-fluoridated towns, the general mortality was higher in Curico by 113%, compared with the average for the rest of the country.
The website also cited research by Professor A K Susheela of the Fluoride and Fluorosis Research Foundation of India, a consultant to the Indian government, who published over 100 scientific papers on the hazards of fluoride.
She showed that when bombarded with fluoride, in the form of fluoridated water, toothpaste and mouth rinses, muscles and elements of connective tissue, particularly collagen fibre and bone tissue, undergo degenerative changes.
In Birmingham, where water had been fluoridated at 1 ppm since 1964, more than a third of children suffered from dental fluorosis.
In India, the water supply in many areas once contained high levels of natural fluoride. An estimated 62 million people, including 6 million children, are afflicted with endemic fluorosis.
SOURCE:
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/health/ ... wing-pains