Tiredness---also referred to as fatigue or exhaustion---is a symptom involving low energy and increased need for sleep. In children, excessive tiredness can lead to academic, social and mood-related problems that affect overall quality of life. Discovering the causes of excessive tiredness in children helps you find effective solutions.
Causes
Like adults, all children and adolescents feel tired from time to time. Most commonly, a combination of factors like overexertion, stress, poor diet and inadequate sleep are to blame. According to the National Allergy website, people with allergies often suffer from fragmented sleep, leading to daytime drowsiness and fatigue. Rarely, excessive tiredness in children can signal a chronic health condition. Anemia, thyroid dysfunction and infections like strep throat or mononucleosis all can cause fatigue in kids and adults.
Signs and Symptoms
Tiredness can be difficult to identify in some children. Possible signs include frequent yawning, falling asleep during daytime activities, oversleeping and slowed movements and speech. Mood-related symptoms like irritability, unprovoked crying and frequent temper tantrums also might signal excessive tiredness in some kids.
Effects
Excessive tiredness can take a heavy toll on a child's quality of life. Declining grades and trouble at school are possible results of fatigue and drowsiness. Missed opportunities to connect with peers and engage in social activities can result from an inability to keep up with other children. Other potential complications include increased risk of injury, exacerbation of behavioral problems and mood-related issues like depression and poor self-esteem.
Prevention/Solution
The only way to effectively treat excessive tiredness in kids is to discover the underlying cause. A medical examination including in-depth discussion of the child's medical history in conjunction with blood work, urinalysis and other tests can help pinpoint the true cause of the problem. When sleep deficiencies are to blame, improved sleeping habits can help. Sleep requirements vary slightly from person to person. According to Kids Health, toddlers and preschoolers need between 10 and 13 hours of sleep a night, and school-age kids and preteens require about 9 or 10 hours each night. In many cases, setting a regular sleep-wake schedule can help improve quality of sleep.
Considerations
In rare instances, prolonged or excessive tiredness can signal a life-threatening condition. If your child has chronic tiredness that is not relieved by adequate sleep, he should have a complete medical examination to rule out conditions like diabetes, kidney disease or leukemia.
