Understanding Adolescent Fatigue: Causes and Solutions

Question
Do you know of anything that causes this transient problem?
Do you know of any way to hasten the process of getting rid of this problem?

Answer
Hey Jeff,

The list is short for organic causes of adolescent fatigue.  But I alawys look anyway.  Here are two citings, The 5 minute Peditric Clinical Consult, and Sanford's Pediatrics,  you are still considered a pediatric patient.

"Unexplained fatigue in adolescents is a common and frustrating complaint that can pose a challenge for even the most experienced physicians. Although the cause usually is benign and self-limited, occasionally there is a serious underlying disorder. This symptom cannot be dismissed without performing a thorough medical history, detailed psychosocial profile, and careful physical examination. Selective use of laboratory and radiologic studies should be considered when specifically indicated. If the cause remains unclear, sequential visits often provide clues for the practitioner and reassurance for the family. The purpose of this article is to offer guidelines to the clinician caring for adolescents who have prolonged, unexplained fatigue and to stress the value of a thorough history and physical examination."

"A common complaint among teens is fatigue. This may be a common complaint from parents who may be concerned that their teens seem to not be doing enough. It is less common to have teens complain of severe fatigue. The most common cause of fatigue in teens is nonorganic representing a reaction to stress, anxiety or depression. Causes include psychosocial causes (stress, anxiety, depression), inadequate sleep, dieting, pregnancy, medications, infections, allergies, systemic diseases (renal, anemia, malignancy, collagen vascular diseases, thyroid dysfunction, diabetes mellitus, IBD) and chronic fatigue syndrome."

What do think?  Please let me know.

Tim