The doctor warned about the danger of chronic fatigue in schoolchildren

High school workload can lead to the development of chronic fatigue and serious disorders in the immune system in children. Ekaterina Morozova, senior pediatrician of JSC "Medicine" (Academician Roitberg Clinic), Candidate of Medical Sciences, told Izvestia about this on September 27.

According to the expert, physiological fatigue is a natural reaction of the body and disappears after rest. However, chronic fatigue that persists for more than three months is already dangerous. It is accompanied by decreased concentration, irritability, headaches, and frequent infections.

"The modern school curriculum places high demands on children: a long school day, homework, additional classes, study groups, preparation for the Unified State Exam, OGE, USE. Students in grades 5-9 spend up to six to seven hours a day at their desks, and taking into account homework, the total workload reaches 10-12 hours," the doctor noted.

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Sleep disorders and psychoemotional stress are key risk factors. Only 15% of schoolchildren sleep long enough for their age: 9-11 hours. Chronic stress activates the production of cortisol, which suppresses the activity of T-lymphocytes, reduces the production of interferons and immunoglobulin A, which increases the risk of respiratory infections.

Every fourth teenager with a high academic workload shows signs of immune exhaustion. This is manifested by frequent acute respiratory viral infections, prolonged forms of infections and recurrent herpesvirus diseases. Children with a hereditary predisposition to autoimmune diseases, chronic pathologies and sleep disorders are especially vulnerable.

For prevention, the doctor recommends that students get at least nine hours of sleep, a balanced diet with enough protein and vitamins, limit screen time in the evening and create an emotionally safe environment. If you remain tired for more than a month or have frequent infections, you should consult a pediatrician for a comprehensive examination, including blood tests and an assessment of your immune status.

As Morozova emphasizes, fatigue is not a weakness, but an important signal to the body about overload. Modern pediatrics is increasingly confronted with "diseases of civilization" in children, and the key to prevention lies in a balance between study, rest and care for mental and emotional health.

On September 18, BBC Science Daily magazine called afternoon fatigue a natural part of the body's biological rhythms. According to the publication, the human body is programmed to feel low energy levels at certain times of the day.

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