Is it possible to have growing pains at 18

For example:. Massaging or placing a heat pack over the affected area might help. Muscle stretches and a warm bath before going to bed might also help.

Occasionally your GP might suggest you give your child some mild pain relief like paracetamol. Skip to content Skip to navigation. Despite the name, there is no evidence to suggest that growing pains are associated with growth in muscles, ligaments, or bones.

Adults may experience nocturnal limb pains, just as children do. However, just as growth is not a cause of nighttime limb pain in children, it is also not a cause of nighttime limb pain in adults. In adults, nighttime aches and pains may be due to muscle overexertion or an underlying medical condition.

Rheumatoid arthritis RA is a chronic autoimmune disorder in which the immune system attacks healthy cells. In RA, the immune system mainly attacks tissues that line and cushion the joints. This leads to joint inflammation and tenderness. The pain can occur at night, making it difficult for a person to sleep. Although there is no cure for RA, medical treatments can help to control the condition. According to the Arthritis Foundation AF , the goal of such treatment is to:.

In addition to medical treatment, the AF recommends the following self-care measures for people living with RA:. A person may experience muscle soreness several hours or days after a workout. The medical term for this is delayed onset muscle soreness DOMS. Instead, a person can try different methods to reduce discomfort while they heal. These methods include:. Restless leg syndrome RLS is a nervous system disorder that triggers uncomfortable sensations in the legs.

A person who has RLS will experience an uncontrollable urge to move the legs. According to the RLSF , there is no cure for the condition. Instead, treatment focuses on relieving the symptoms. They come on suddenly and are most common in middle-aged or older adults. Occasional leg cramps are common and usually harmless. However, if your cramps are frequent and severe, see a doctor. Deep vein thrombosis is a blood clot that forms in the major veins of your body, most commonly in the legs.

In some cases, you might not have any symptoms. If you do have symptoms, they may include:. Blood clots are usually caused by an underlying medical condition. They can also be caused by not moving for a long period of time, such as after surgery. If you think you have a blood clot in your leg, see a doctor as soon as possible.

The blood clot can break away and move to your lungs, which is a medical emergency. Shin splints are an inflammation of the muscles, tendons, and bone tissue around your tibia. The pain usually comes during or after exercise. Shin splints can also cause minor swelling. Shin splints can often be treated at home with rest, ice, and stretching. Fibromyalgia causes aches and pains all over your body. It can also cause:. If you have multiple symptoms of fibromyalgia, or the symptoms interfere with your daily life, see a doctor.

People with fibromyalgia sometimes have to see multiple doctors before receiving a diagnosis. Bone cancer osteosarcoma is a type of cancer that affects the bones themselves. Bone pain is the most common symptom.

Stress fractures are tiny cracks in the bone, usually caused by overuse. Nor do they always occur at growth locations. Weinberger explains. The intensity and frequency of growing pains varies. They can range from feeling like a minor ache to an intense muscle cramp.

But there are common factors you can expect to see:. Weinberger says. Another condition is likely at work if:. If you notice any of these signs, you should follow up with your pediatrician so your child can be evaluated.