Patient's question:
Before taking a nap, he always complains of foot pain. Walking and running are good during the day, with no symptoms. The pain mainly occurs before taking a nap at night. Upon a careful examination of the feet, there are no obvious external injuries. After reviewing the information, it is said to be growing pains. At 1 year and 8 months, he underwent a detailed trace element examination...Doctor's answer:
Growing pain. The cause of growing pain is currently unclear, and it is generally believed to be related to the following two factors. First, children are in a period of rapid growth and development, with their lower limb bones growing quickly, while the surrounding nerves, muscles, tendons, and joint capsules grow much slower, causing the bones to pull on the surrounding tissues, leading to stretching pain. Second, children are active and energetic, with high levels of physical activity and tirelessness. Over time, the large amount of acidic metabolic byproducts (such as lactic acid) produced during exercise accumulate in the tissues, which can also cause muscle pain.Caring for a child with growing pain is most important for managing the pain. It is essential to ensure the child gets timely and sufficient rest. Before going to sleep or taking a nap each day, you can bathe the child's feet in warm water and perform gentle local massages on the lower limb joints and muscles. Additionally, consuming an adequate amount of vitamin C can be beneficial.
In daily life, it is important to monitor the child to avoid excessive exercise and ensure they rest appropriately. Physical exercise should be gradually increased. During the growth and development period, children have high nutritional needs. Their daily diet should be enriched with nutrients and balanced, with a proper mix of meat and vegetables. It is particularly important to encourage children to consume a certain amount of dairy products daily. Milk provides high-quality protein and rich calcium, which can meet the nutritional needs of their rapid growth.