Teenager who is tired all the time

Latest Blog Posts Our daughter's heart journey leads to advancements in subaortic stenosis research. What parents need to know about multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children MIS-C. Button batteries: The hidden dangers and what you can do to keep your kids safe. Has your teenager complained about being extremely tired lately?

Has your teen increased their sleep and you notice they are still tired? Your teen might be dealing with chronic fatigue. Chronic fatigue is a condition characterized by continued tiredness that is not relieved by rest, can be worsened by exertion and is not directly caused by any other medical conditions.

The exact cause of chronic fatigue is unknown. There are a variety of reasons for chronic fatigue, and medical conditions that need to be ruled out including but not confined to anemia, hypothyroidism, infections, malnutrition and depression. Most teens get partial or full recovery within 5 years after symptoms began. It's important to keep a positive approach to getting well and to not look for the reason why you have CFS.

People who take action and stay positive can have a good outcome. Larger text size Large text size Regular text size. What Is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome? The most common ones include: severe fatigue, which can make it hard to get out of bed and do normal daily activities sleep problems , such as trouble falling or staying asleep, or not having a refreshing sleep symptoms getting worse after physical or mental effort this is called post-exertional malaise symptoms or dizziness that get worse after standing up or sitting upright from a lying down position problems with concentration and memory headaches and stomachaches What Causes Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?

These things are believed to interact with each other in this way, putting some people at risk for CFS: infections. Experts have wondered if infections like measles or Epstein-Barr virus the virus that causes mono might increase the risk for CFS.

But experts say that these lifestyle changes can help: Include regular, carefully planned exercise in your daily routine. Exercise can increase energy and make a person feel better. People with CFS should pace themselves while doing any physical activity that requires exertion. Talk with a doctor what's right for you — you don't want to overdo it and get discouraged. Studies show that "graded exercise" which means starting with small activities and slowly working up to a higher level of exercise is very helpful in CFS recovery.

Follow stress-management and stress-reduction techniques. A doctor or therapist can teach these — they're great ways to take control of some aspects of the illness.

Ensure good sleep habits to overcome CFS-related sleep problems. Work on ways to keep track of important things, such as keeping lists and making notes, you have problems with concentration or memory. Doctors may suggest over-the-counter or prescription medicines for some of these symptoms. What Else Should I Know? Strong emotions can be a part of the illness, so it's important to recognize and express your feelings. Feelings like sadness, anger, and frustration are completely normal — and it's important to acknowledge how you feel and recognize that it's not your fault.

Recognizing emotions rather than suppressing them or pretending you're OK can help you figure out what's behind your feelings and help you manage problems. But few teens actually get that much sleep regularly, thanks to early classes, homework, extracurricular activities, part-time jobs, social demands and screen time.

Regularly not getting enough sleep can have health consequences. Tired teens can find it difficult to concentrate and learn. Too little sleep can contribute to behavioral problems, moodiness and irritability. A sleep deficit also increases the risk of accidents, injuries, high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes and depression. It's also linked with an increased risk of self-harm, suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts. If your teen isn't getting enough sleep, there are a few things you can try that might help.

For example:. Don't allow your teen to use sleeping pills or nonprescription sleep aids unless they are recommended by a doctor. Some sleep medications can be dangerous, and sleep problems often return when medication use stops. Sleep problems can also be caused by:.

If you're concerned about your teen's daytime sleepiness or sleep habits, talk to his or her doctor. There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Sign up for free, and stay up-to-date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID, plus expert advice on managing your health. Error Email field is required. Error Include a valid email address. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information and to understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your e-mail and website usage information with other information we have about you.

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