About 11 percent of men ages 18 to 44 reported feeling very tired or exhausted most days or every day for the past three months. That percentage tends to improve as men age and decreased to under 10 percent in men older than 45.
Read on to discover seven of the most common causes of fatigue in men.
1. Low Testosterone
“Testosterone has a significant role impacting energy levels,” says Yoshua Quinones, MD, a board-certified internist with Medical Offices of Manhattan, based in New York City. “Low testosterone levels may affect your mood, muscle mass, and energy levels.”
Testosterone helps the cells produce energy and delivers oxygen around the body. Levels of testosterone are much higher in men than women, so low testosterone is primarily a male problem.
2. Nutrient Deficiency
Vitamin D deficiency mainly leads to fatigue by weakening bone and muscle function.
Your doctor can order a blood test to see if your nutrient levels are within normal range.
3. Sleep Deprivation
Men (and women, too) may be more likely to be sleep deprived if they have poor sleep hygiene habits, such as consuming caffeine into the evening and night, using technology close to bedtime, and feeling pressured by cultural norms to always be “on.”
If you’ve been feeling tired, do your best to practice proper sleep hygiene and get the recommended seven to nine hours of sleep each night.
4. A Sleep Disorder
Obstructive sleep apnea, which causes breathing to stop or pause throughout the night, is also more common in men than women — with men being 2 to 3 times more likely to have sleep apnea than women. This is most likely because of hormonal differences between the sexes and increased testosterone levels in men, which may affect breathing stability. Sleep apnea decreases oxygen and the quality of sleep, leading to tiredness the next day, Quinones says.
Delayed sleep disorder can be treated by adjusting lifestyle habits, like taking in bright light in the morning hours and avoiding it later in the day. Mild cases of obstructive sleep apnea may be resolved with weight loss or sleeping on one’s side, while severe sleep apnea may call for positive airway pressure (PAP), or wearing a mask that keeps the airway open during sleep.
5. Depression
This could be due to the different makeups in brain chemistry, hormones, and life experiences, as well social norms, such as the belief that a man should avoid expressing emotions and instead pursue success.
Men with depression may also sleep too little or too much.
If your symptoms of depression have lasted nearly every day for two weeks, it’s time to seek help from a mental health professional to explore diagnosis and treatment options.
6. Underlying Chronic Health Condition
Quinones explains that epilepsy can lead to fatigue because seizures can be exhausting for the brain and body; asthma can reduce oxygen supply and energy levels; heart disease may result in reduced oxygen delivery to muscles and organs; and inflammation from arthritis will trigger the release of immune chemicals that promote tiredness.
7. Medication
The most common medications that may lead to fatigue as a side effect include:
Speak with your doctor about possible alternatives if you suspect medications are causing your fatigue.
When to See Your Doctor About Fatigue
If you’ve been feeling fatigued for more than two weeks, it’s time to see a doctor to check for possible underlying conditions.
Seek emergency care if your fatigue is accompanied by other symptoms that may indicate a serious underlying health issue, such as chest pain or tightness or difficulty breathing, Quinones says.
Oftentimes, fatigue is simply caused by lifestyle or well-being issues rather than a medical condition. Lifestyle modifications may resolve your energy issues, such as getting plenty of rest, reducing stress, eating a healthy diet, and getting adequate amounts of fluids.
But if fatigue persists, it’s always best to speak to your healthcare provider for proper diagnosis and treatment.
The Takeaway
- Fatigue and feeling tired more often than not affects roughly 10 percent of men.
- There are certain sleep disorders and reasons for sleep disruption that are more likely to occur in men. Other issues such as nutrient deficiencies, medication use, and underlying health conditions may also cause fatigue in men.
- If you’ve been feeling fatigued for more than two weeks, speak to your healthcare provider for proper diagnosis and treatment.
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