Yes, there is a way to stimulate growth in children with short stature. Treatment varies according to the causes of low growth and may include:
- Correction of wrong eating habits;
- Guidance for an adequate diet for the age;
- Stimulating physical activity;
- Adequate sleep;
- Use of medications, food supplements and growth hormone (GH).
The medicines and the supplements are indicated in cases of diseases or nutritional deficiencies that affect growth.
Already the growing hormone is used in cases of hormone deficiency or to correct cases of developmental delay.
Does sleeping stimulate growth?
Sleep is key to growth, because it is during sleep that most of the growth hormone is manufactured and released. Especially in the REM phase.
As soon as nightfall, the gland hypophysis, located in the brain, increases the production of growth hormone, which spreads throughout the body and stimulates the production of another hormone by the liver.
The latter hormone acts on the cartilage that surrounds the bones, stimulating the production of cells that expand the bones.
Growth hormone also acts in the breakdown of fat cells and in the production of muscles.
It is during sleep that people grow. Therefore, it is recommended that children with 2 years of age should sleep 12 hours per night, even if it is not continuously.
From the age of 2 years until adolescence, 8 hours of sleep per night to ensure good growth.
Can physical activity stimulate growth?
Physical exercises, in addition to stimulating the release of growing hormone, helps prevent obesity, which disrupts development.
Fat kids grow faster and earlier, but stop growing early, getting lower at the end.
How is the treatment with growth hormone?
The use of growth hormone is indicated in cases where there is a deficiency of this hormone. The treatment is done with injections in the subcutaneous tissue, just below the skin, through applicator pens and practically does not cause pain.
Growth hormone can also be used in children who do not have hormone deficiency but who have very low growth rates.
In such cases, if after 6 months of hormone treatment the child has improved growth hormone treatment should be strongly considered.
Is it possible to stimulate growth in adults?
No, it is not possible to stimulate growth in adults because bone cartilage has already closed. Once the cartilages close, it is no longer possible to grow.
This is on average around 18 years, but varies according to an earlier or later onset of puberty. Girls reach puberty sooner than boys, so they stop growing before, around 14 or 15 years.
Even if an adult takes growth hormone, it will not grow and may even stimulate the onset of tumors and acromegaly, a disease that causes an exaggerated growth of nose, chin and ears.
Learn more at: What is acromegaly?
What foods can stimulate growth?
The foods that help grow are those that are rich in calcium and protein. Calcium is an essential mineral for healthy growth and for bone strength.
Proteins are the raw material used by the body for the production and growth of muscles.
Some foods rich in calcium:
- Milk, cheese;
- Seeds of sesame;
- Parsley, spinach, cabbage;
- Sardine;
- Almonds;
- Crabmeat.
Some foods high in protein:
- Meat, poultry, fish;
- Eggs (clear);
- Parmesan cheese;
- Soy;
- Legumes (beans, peas, lentils, chickpeas, peanuts);
- Almonds, nuts, walnuts.
The main goal of a growth-stimulating treatment is to identify and treat the factors that are hampering growth and to create conditions for the child to take advantage of its full genetic potential.
Treatment to stimulate growth is the responsibility of the endocrinologist.
It may also interest you: Dwarfism: what is it and what are the causes?
