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Be honest: have you been feeling a constant surge of unexplainable tiredness hitting you lately? Does this feeling of exhaustion prevent you from performing to your desired levels?
While it’s normal to feel tired after a strenuous workout or an all-nighter, persistent tiredness can be a sign of a more sinister condition lying beneath.
While having one sweeping explanation can make it easy to target and treat low energy levels, the truth is chronic fatigue can stem from multiple sources.
From hormonal imbalances to health conditions, several things can lead to fatigue. And when left untreated, it can spiral into an even worse problem.
So, what causes this persistent wave of low energy?
Men, here are some potential factors that could be causing your fatigue.
6 Potential Causes of Low Energy in Men
If you’re experiencing low energy and want to determine the cause for it, here are some reasons why you may be facing a lack of energy.
1. Sleep Difficulties
Are you getting enough sleep? Researchers have shown that an adult male should have at least 7 hours of uninterrupted sleep every night for optimal health. Any less than that and you could face adverse health problems, with one major one being severe fatigue throughout the day.
Knowing the length of time to sleep is one thing, actual application of it is another. Unfortunately, there’s a large fraction of men who have underlying sleep disorders that cause them to constantly face a lack of sleep.
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is one such condition that can interfere with sleep quality and cause you to develop chronic fatigue. It happens when the airways get obstructed during sleep, leading to frequent arousal during the night.
Excessive daytime sleepiness is a telltale sign that you have sleep apnea. It’s often remedied by CPAP masks and weight loss treatment.
2. Poor Dietary Habits
Have you ever felt sluggish after eating certain foods? It should come as no surprise that food heavily influences your energy levels. Eating the right food can give you the boost to seize the day, whereas eating the wrong ones can do the exact opposite.
So what should you avoid? Energy-draining foods you should steer clear from include:
- Candy and refined sugars
- Chips
- Soda
- Processed meat
- Deep-fried food
Eating sugary foods can increase blood sugar levels, causing what we colloquially call a sugar crash. Eating high-fat foods, on the other hand, can lead to high cholesterol and high blood pressure. These can all contribute to a long-lasting sense of physical fatigue.
To combat this, you should strive to incorporate more balanced foods in your meals. Eat fruits, lean meats, fatty fish, and vegetables more often.
Also, ensure that you have enough nutrition in your system, particularly iron, Vitamin D and Vitamin B12—as these three nutrients are directly tied to your energy levels.
3. Low Testosterone Levels
When men grow older, their testosterone levels start to naturally wane slowly but steadily.
For reference, the normal healthy threshold of testosterone in men is 300 ng/dL to 1,000 ng/dL, A blood count that doesn’t reach the lower limit is grounds for hypogonadism, a condition marked by persistently low testosterone.
Having low testosterone levels can cause a reduced capacity for the body to perform certain functions, such as maintaining muscle mass and regulating mood disorders. You may also face weight gain issues that are difficult to control.
In turn, this can lead to chronic fatigue and other symptoms that can harm your health. Typically, testosterone replacement therapy is administered to combat this medical condition.
4. Thyroid Gland Problems
Another hormonal issue that can lead to low energy in men is hypothyroidism, a condition marked by abnormally low levels of thyroid hormones in the body.
When the thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough hormones, it can slow down the body’s natural metabolism. This, in turn, can make you feel sleepier and more prone to developing low energy.
It’s easy for people to misdiagnose or neglect this health condition, but it can become severe if left untreated. As such, be sure to get your thyroid and hormone levels checked regularly, especially if you’re feeling lethargic.
5. Depression
Do you feel apathetic towards life in general? Is this feeling of indifference causing you to avoid making any progress in your life?
If so, you may be suffering from a depression disorder. Depression is a psychological and mental disorder that’s characterized by a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest in the world.
This condition can cause people to feel less inclined to do things, which can be taken as low energy levels. In the US, there are over 17 million people who have been diagnosed with this condition—however, actual numbers could be significantly more than that.
If you’re depressed or have symptoms of depression, this can cause you to feel persistently tired and low-energy. You can switch your chronic, low-energy state to a renewed one with the right treatment plan.
6. Health Disorders
So your diet is balanced, your blood tests and hormone levels look good, and you’re sleeping well. But if you’re still afflicted by low energy. What gives?
Certain underlying health conditions might be the culprits behind the persistent fatigue you’re experiencing. These health disorders, some silent and some symptomatic, can significantly drain your energy without you even realizing it.
Here are a few of these health disorders that may contribute to low energy levels:
- Iron deficiency anemia
- Severe heart disease
- Diabetes
- Cancer
- Kidney failure
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)
If you’re experiencing fatigue and are diagnosed with these health issues, it’s important to seek treatment for them at once.
Revitalize Your Energy at St. Louis, Missouri’s Top Men’s Health Clinic
Low energy levels are often indicative of poor lifestyle factors or an underlying health problem. It’s important to address these issues with the help of a medical professional.
Need clinical assistance? The medical professionals at St. Louis’ leading male health clinic at Paramount Men’s Medical Center provides ED therapy, adrenal fatigue treatment, hormone treatment, Low T treatment, amongst additional treatment plans to help men regain their sexual health and vitality.
Schedule an appointment with us today, your initial consultation and first treatment are completely free—your future self will thank you for it.
