Teens and caffiene pills?

Question

My son is 15. He is very tired most of the time. I was like this in my teen years too. He is taking vitamins and gets to sleep early at night, yet he still is very tired. Sometimes he even falls asleep in school. Would it be ok to give him caffiene pills? Would this harm him in some way? Any other suggestions to help him? Thank you.

Answer 1

Your son needs to see a Doctor to have a sleep study done. He could have sleep apnea or a variety of other sleep disorders that will effect him for the rest of his life. Caffeine is not the answer and only mask the symptoms. His quality of life will greatly approve (i.e. better grades, better sleep, etc.) if he gets the help he needs.

NOTE: This is just what can happen if you leave sleep apnea untreated:

If sleep apnea (OSA) is not treated, over time it can lead to complications, which may include:
• Low blood oxygen levels during sleep. Low blood oxygen levels can lead to high blood pressure in the lungs (pulmonary hypertension) and in the rest of the body (hypertension). Nearly 50% of people who have OSA have high blood pressure.1
• Heart failure affecting the right side of the heart. About 10% to 15% of people who have OSA develop pulmonary hypertension, which leads to right-sided heart failure.1
• Irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias) or heart failure, which may cause sudden death.
• Coronary artery disease (CAD).
• A greater-than-normal number of red blood cells, which may cause thickening of the blood.
• Death caused by blood vessel disease affecting the brain and heart (stroke and heart attack).
• Failure to resume breathing (respiratory failure) and sudden death, especially in the early morning (very rare).

Good luck!

Answer 2

I would take him to the doctor if I were you. You should make sure there isn't something else wrong with him.