Why am I so tired?

Question

I am 14 years old and everyday when I get home from school, I go take a nap and I go to bed before 8 every night. When I wake up at 7 to go to school, I am still tired and I can't concentrate or play very hard at basketball practice. I've been like this for ten days. Also, sometimes my hands and feet tingle a lot for a few hours. I take a vitimin every day and eat healthy.

Answer 1

Tough to say...as it could be a hundred different things.

Good answer, huh? ;)

Id' talk to your parents about getting in to see a doctor to get some basic blood lab work, though...just to make sure it is not anemia or hypothyroidism - both easily diagnosed and treated.

These simple labs (a general health panel) would also screen you for diabetes, strange electrolyte abnormalities, and other blood disorders.

But, if it has only been for 10 days - may just be a virus and will pass. Unless it is mono...which can last longer (and you would need to stop kissing boys!). But if it were mono, you'd also likely have a fever, sore throat, possibly headache, and other symptoms (or did in the recent past). Your doctor (at least most), can do a simple Monospot test to test for mono.

Interestingly enough, people your age need more sleep than older people...

Lastly, sleep problems (too much or too little), feeling tired, and having difficulty concentrating (as you mentioned) are also key features of depression. But if you are not down/sad...and still enjoy the things you use to (sports, etc.), then you are not depressed. But I mention it, nonetheless...because it is SO common and there are great treatments out there. So if you are feeling down, talk to your parents and a doctor...

So...there's a wide-ranging answer - from anemia to hypothyroidism to depression to mononucleosis...!

...but I hope it helps some.