Fatigue in Children: Care Instructions

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Your Care Instructions

Fatigue is a feeling of tiredness, exhaustion, or lack of energy. Your child may feel this way because of too much or not enough activity. It can also come from stress, lack of sleep, boredom, and poor diet. Many medical problems, including viral infections, can cause fatigue. Emotional problems, especially depression, are often the cause.

Fatigue is usually a symptom of another problem. Treatment depends on the cause. For example, if your child has fatigue because of a health problem, treating the health problem also treats the fatigue. If depression or anxiety is the cause, treatment may help.

Follow-up care is a key part of your child's treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor or nurse call line if your child is having problems. It's also a good idea to know your child's test results and keep a list of the medicines your child takes.

How can you care for your child at home?

  • Make sure your child gets regular exercise. But don't let him or her overdo it. Go back and forth between rest and exercise.
  • Make sure your child gets plenty of rest.
  • Help your child eat a healthy diet. Do not let your child skip meals, especially breakfast.
  • Limit medicines that can cause fatigue. These include ones for colds or allergies.

When should you call for help?

Watch closely for changes in your child's health, and be sure to contact your doctor or nurse call line if your child is not getting better as expected.

Where can you learn more?

Go to https://www.healthwise.net/patientEd

Enter T214 in the search box to learn more about "Fatigue in Children: Care Instructions".

Current as of: March 20, 2017

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine & Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine & William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine