Fatigue can be described as feeling tired and weary with a loss of energy. Chronic fatigue is persistent, worsens with physical and mental activity and is not relieved with getting enough sleep. When a young person experiences chronic fatigue, the possible causes can be physical or psychological.
Mononucleosis
Infectious mononucleosis is a viral infection that commonly occurs in adolescents and young adults. The virus is transmitted through the saliva of an infected person. Sometimes called the kissing disease, mononucleosis spreads by kissing an infected person, exposure to a cough or sneeze from someone with the infection and by sharing eating and drinking utensils. According to the Mayo Clinic, adolescents and young adults are the most likely of all age groups to present with all of the symptoms. The signs of mono include fatigue, weakness, loss of appetite, a sore throat that does not improve with antibiotics, a fever and a headache. Additional distinctive symptoms are swollen lymph nodes in the neck and armpits, swollen tonsils, skin rash, swollen spleen and night sweats. Within a few weeks, most of the symptoms lessen. However, fatigue, swollen spleen and enlarged lymph nodes can persist for many more weeks. Chronic fatigue can last for two to three months. The general treatment is bed rest and adequate fluid intake to relieve the symptoms of fever and sore throat and to prevent dehydration. Analgesics help reduce the fever and relieve discomfort.
Depression
If a young person wakes up with a low level of energy and experiences fatigue throughout the day, it is very possible that he suffers from depression. Adolescent depression can occur in response to the normal body and emotional changes plus the stress associated with puberty or an emotional crisis such as breaking up with a boyfriend or girlfriend. MedlinePlus lists fatigue as a symptom of depression. Other signs include a general negative outlook, episodes of memory loss, change in appetite, difficulty sleeping and thoughts of suicide. Treatment is absolutely necessary if the symptoms of depression last more than two weeks, impair functioning and cause significant distress.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Chronic fatigue syndrome is an illness that commonly affects young people between the ages of 15 and 20 years. The main symptom is severe and disabling fatigue that is not relieved with rest, is triggered by minimal physical or mental activity and interferes with the individual's ability to function normally. The exact cause is not yet known as of 2010. Diagnosis is based upon the complaint of fatigue that lasts six months or longer and is accompanied by tender lymph nodes, muscle aches, sore throat, headache and difficulty with concentration and memory.
