The demands of school and the body stresses of going through puberty are enough to make any teen feel fatigued. However, if you're dealing with extreme fatigue and you don't know what's causing it, you might have a more serious underlying health condition. Don't just try to sleep it off; talk to your doctor to pinpoint and treat the source of the problem.
Common Causes of Fatigue
Teens who try to squeeze too many activities in their day are at high risk for exhaustion, but not all exhausted teens have such extreme schedules. Other common causes of extreme fatigue in teens are anemia (low blood count); mononucleosis, illegal drugs and alcohol, stress or depression, and certain medications, according to TeenGrowth.com. In some cases, teens with extreme fatigue have illnesses such as hepatitis, thyroid disease and tuberculosis.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Chronic fatigue syndrome is a condition commonly affects people 20 to 40, but it can also occur in teens, according to KidsHealth. You may have chronic fatigue syndrome if you experience chronic fatigue with unknown origins for at least 6 months and it can't be relieved by rest, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. To be diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome, you must also have at least four of the following symptoms: muscle pain, tender lymph nodes under the arms or in the neck, multi-joint pain with no redness or swelling, abnormal headaches, short-term memory or concentration problems that reduce your quality life, a sore throat and at least 24 hours of malaise after physical or mental activity.
Risk Factors for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
In most cases, the cause of chronic fatigue syndrome remains unknown, according to the Mayo Clinic. However, people who have had infections such as mononucleosis, immune system problems such as allergies, emotional stress and those who have family members with chronic fatigue syndrome are at greater risk for the condition, according to Kids Health.
Diagnosis
Your doctor will likely take a medical history, give you a full physical exam and order blood tests. As long as you're completely detailed about your medical history, the doctor will be able to rule out factors such as medications or drugs, sleep problems, eating disorders or depression. Physical examination and blood tests will help him rule out medical conditions such as low thyroid hormone levels and anemia. After the doctor rules out other conditions, he will likely request that you meet with a therapist to determine how your symptoms affect your mental health, memory and concentration levels, according to Kids Health.
Treatment
Your doctor will help you find a way to treat the problem or condition that underlies your extreme exhaustion. If your allergy medication is the culprit, for example, she will recommend changing medications. If your depression is causing exhaustion, she may recommend a combination of medication and therapy. And although chronic fatigue syndrome has no direct cure, your doctor will also help you find a way to reduce symptoms if she diagnoses you with the condition. According to Kids Health, some people with chronic fatigue syndrome notice fewer problems when they exercise daily, follow stress-reduction techniques, avoid certain foods and drinks and look to alternative methods such as massage and acupuncture.
