Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in Teenagers

Your Teenager's Health Series : Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in Teenagers

The cause of chronic fatigue syndrome has not yet been determined. Research has been looking into it for a longtime. Some think that an infection can cause it, but there is no definite medical proof. The two main groups of people at risk for having chronic fatigue syndrome is those between 15 and 20 years old, and between 33 and 45.

Two thirds of the sufferers of chronic fatigue syndrome are women. Those are typical years for CFS but it can occur within any group and in any society. Some people have CFS and are not diagnosed.

This illness causes disabling tiredness that is severe and happens after any physical or mental activity. Sometimes rest will ease feeling tiredness, but even if they get a full night of sound sleep, they may still feel tired and exhausted. A teenager who suffers from CFS will have muscle aches, pains, and difficulties with memory and concentration. Some will have pains in their stomach as well.

Chronic fatigue syndrome can last anywhere from three to five years, but some experience a much longer lasting illness.

Teenagers with chronic fatigue syndrome can have the feeling of tiredness after even low levels of physical or mental activity. They may also experience sore throat, tender lymph glands, headaches, and just a general feeling of being unwell. They may become dizzy when they stand and experience some sensitivity to some foods that never bothered them before. They may also become more sensitive to smells, bright lights, alcohol, and cigarette smoke.

There isn’t one specific sign that will a doctor the teenager they are examining are suffering from CFS. Many have been misdiagnosed or thought to have other problems such as thyroid problems, eating disorders, drug or alcohol use, cancer, depression and kidney disease.

These other ailments will need to be ruled out before a diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome is handed down. Blood tests, and other concentration tests should also be done. MRI’s are rarely needed for the diagnosis. These are expensive and probably won’t tell the doctor anything new.

What is the difference between depression and CFS? Teens who have CFS still want to take part in activities with their friends and still can enjoy them. Depressed teens don’t get pleasure from activities they use to enjoy and stay away from people. They have to push themselves to do things. Teens suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome want to do their normal activities but are usually exhausted afterwards.

It’s difficult for teens with CFS to attend school and many schools are trying to be as helpful as possible with these teens as well as other teens with disabilities. They may have fewer classes each day, work more at home, or are given extra time to get their assignments in. Some also are tutored to help them keep up with their classmates.

Counseling and support groups can help teenagers who are going through this difficult period of their life. A counselor can provide both information and support not only for the teen but also for the entire family.

Here are some ideas that you and your teenager can do to ease symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome.

Try to get them involved in some activity every day. Spending time in bed will not help!

Keeping a regular sleep routine can also help. Avoid staying up excessively late and sleeping in the next morning.

Keeping a normal daytime routine is also important. It’s important teenagers paces themselves and avoids extra physical or emotional stress.

Help them keep in contact with their friends. It’s important for them to feel involved and not become loners and withdraw from the world around them.

Teens with CFS should avoid being around smokers and second hand smoke.

As a parent you can make sure, your teenager is getting a nourishing and balanced diet.

Some of your family and friends will not understand a sufferer of chronic fatigue syndrome. It would be helpful to find some literature so they can learn about the disease and help them to give the support the sufferer needs. They won’t look sick, so sometimes it’s hard for others to know how bad they feel.