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What Are the Causes of Fatigue & Lack of Energy in Men?

Demanding careers and responsibilities do not always allow for excessive tiredness, but some men do fall victim to fatigue. This can affect their performance at work or at school, and it can also have an impact on relationships. Luckily, scientific research has made strides in understanding fatigue, and managing fatigue is becoming a more fine tuned process every day. Correctly pinpointing the cause of fatigue is one of the key necessities for successful treatment.

  1. Fatigue Defined

    • Fatigue isn’t your normal tired spell. It is a specific condition that causes energy and motivational levels to decrease. While occasional fatigue is normal, excessive episodes of fatigue may indicate a bigger, more serious issue. When patients understand and note patterns of fatigue, doctors can better determine the underlying cause of the condition. Only a doctor can diagnose fatigue.

    Lifestyle

    • Unhealthy lifestyle choices can often lead to fatigue. According to MedlinePlus, alcohol, nicotine and drugs can all lead to fatigue by causing disturbances in sleep. Furthermore, some lifestyles, such as a demanding job or schedule, may cause some men to get less than the recommended amount of sleep, which is approximately 8 hours every night, or they may have inconsistent sleep patterns (such as staying up late one night and going to bed early the next) which may also contribute to fatigue.

    Depression and Anxiety

    • According to a study reported by Ask Men, one of depression’s most difficult and pervasive symptoms is fatigue. In the study, 96 percent of the participants cited fatigue as a symptom, and 72 percent of those with fatigue reported that it greatly interfered with their day-to-day lives. Furthermore, The Environmental Illness Resource reports that depression and anxiety can cause insomnia. An episode of insomnia, which is poor or inadequate sleep, can cause a marked lack of energy the next day.

    Hormones

    • When levels of testosterone and DHEA are not stable, men can exhibit symptoms similar to chronic fatigue syndrome, which is a condition that causes severe and pervasive fatigue. A decrease in testosterone and DHEA can lead to a decrease in muscle and bone mass, and weight gain. Both of these factors can also contribute to fatigue symptoms.

    Diet

    • An unbalanced diet has also been found to lead to a lack of energy. Psychology Today reports that eating the right foods at the right time of the day can fight fatigue, and that dehydration may cause a lack of energy. Nutritional deficiencies (primarily iron, protein and B vitamins) can also slow down brain function, leading to fatigue.

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