Weakness in men is one of the most common reasons for patients to present to primary care clinicians. Because weakness is a loss of muscle strength. Although many men also use this term when they usually feel tired or have functional limitations. For example, pain or reduced joint motion, even when muscle strength is normal.
Weakness in men may affect a few or several muscles and may develop suddenly or gradually. So other signs can be present depending on the cause. For instance, weaknesses in specific muscle groups can cause dissociative eye symptoms, dysarthria, dysphagia, or respiratory weakness.
What Is The Weakness In Men?
Weakness in men is a feeling of being tired or exhausted or losing strength. Hence, not always clear or visible signs and symptoms may accompany weakness. Short-term weakness can occur due to overwork, stress, or lack of sleep. You can also feel weakness when you overcome sickness, such as a cold or flu. So, there may be some weakness after intense physical exercise.
Weakness can occur in the body or a specific region, such as your arms or legs. It can happen to a particular muscle, such as the calf muscle of the leg.
Although weakness associated with an acute condition may require emergency treatment. Hence get emergency medical treatment if you experience:
- Abdominal pain
- Extreme chest pain
- Weakness with lack of consciousness
- Back pain
- Sudden onset of weakness on one side of your body or face
- Weakness with shortness of breath or palpitations
Get urgent medical care if you have malaise or other symptoms. So, these symptoms include abdominal pain or cramping, fever, chills, foul-smelling urine, or overall ill-feeling.
What Symptoms Might Occur with Weakness In Men?
Weakness can be accompanied by other symptoms that vary depending on the underlying illness, disorder, or condition. Also, the weakness associated with a physical disease may vary from the weakness related to an emotional or psychological condition.
Physical Symptoms That May Occur with Weakness In Men:
- Difficult or painful urination or urination burning (dysuria)
- Diarrhea
- General ill feeling
- Cloudy urine
- Body aches
- Foul-smelling urine
- Thirst
- Loss of appetite
- Flu-like signs; (fatigue, fever, sore throat, headache, cough, aches, and pains)
- Bloody or pink-colored urine
- Abdominal pain or cramping
- Fatigue
- Fatigue and chills
Other Signs That May Be Linked with Weakness In Men:
Weakness in men may accompany symptoms linked to emotional or psychological disturbances, including:
- Sleep disturbances
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Lack of energy
- Malaise or lethargy
- Severe fatigue
- Irritability or mood changes
- Difficulty with memory, thinking, talking, comprehension, writing or reading
- Changes in mood, personality, or behaviour
Serious Symptoms That Might Indicate A Life-threatening Condition
In certain cases, weakness may also be a sign of a life-threatening condition. Hence, it should be evaluated urgently in an emergency. Hence, look for immediate medical attention if you or someone you’re with has any of these life-threatening symptoms, like:
- Sudden balancing issues, difficulty walking, and falls
- Difficulty talking or swallowing
- Urine or feces incontinence
- Abdomen, pelvic, or lower back pain that may be severe
- Inability to stand
- The worst headache of your life
- High fever; (higher than 101 degrees Fahrenheit)
- Vomiting, including multiple episodes
- Fainting, changing the level of consciousness, or lethargy
- Sudden vision loss or vision changes
- Seizure
- Sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body
What Causes Weakness In Men?
Emotional Or Psychological Causes Of Weakness
Emotional or psychological disturbances, including:
- Depression
- Fatigue
- Lack of sleep
- Overwork
- Stress
Physical Causes Of Weakness
Chronic physical disorders, including:
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease: a debilitating neuromuscular disease that causes muscle weakness and disability)
- Anemia: (low red blood cell count)
- Cancer and anti-cancer treatment
- Diabetes
- Exposure to toxic substances or poisons
- Fibromyalgia: (a chronic condition that causes pain, stiffness, and tenderness)
- Thyroiditis of Hashimoto (an autoimmune disease is resulting in hypothyroidism and low production of thyroid hormone)
- Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)
- Infections (Lime, hepatitis, HIV/AIDS)
- Malnutrition:
- Multiple sclerosis; (a disease that affects the brain and spinal cord, causing weakness, coordination, balance difficulties, and other problems)
Severe Or Life-threatening Causes For Weakness In Men:
- Arrhythmia (irregular heartbeats)
- Congestive heart failure
- Dehydration (loss of body fluids and electrolytes that can be life-threatening when extreme and untreated;
- Kidney failure
- Myasthenia gravis crisis
- Myocardial infarction (heart attack)
- Coma of myxedema (life-threatening complications of hypothyroidism)
- Embolism of the liver (blockage of an artery in the lung due to blood clot)
- Aortic aneurysm ruptured
- Sepsis: (life-threatening bacterial blood infection)
- Stroke
- Toxic intake, such as consuming poisonous plants, mushrooms, or chemicals;
What Are The Treatment Options For Weakness In Men?
Once the doctor has diagnosed the cause of your weakness, they will discuss treatment options with you. However, it will depend on their diagnosis.
Here Are Some Very Common Causes and Their Respective Treatments:
1. Dehydration
If you are dehydrated, then increase the intake of fluid because it may help. However, if you have serious signs of dehydration, you may need hospital treatment. Because in the hospital, you can receive fluids from an intravenous (IV) line. You will also need drugs to raise blood pressure. At this point, weakness may begin to decline.
2. Anemia
If your weakness is due to anemia, you may require iron supplements if you appear to be iron deficient.
Also, you may need a blood transfusion if the anemia is serious. So if you require a blood transfusion, you will get one at the hospital. Furthermore, the treatment consists of collecting blood from the donor through the IV line.
3. Cancer
Your doctor will discuss the medical options if cancer is the cause of your weakness. For example, stage, location, and body structure have all helped to determine the best course of treatment.
So Cancer Treatment Options Include:
- Chemotherapy
- Treatment with radiation
- Surgery
Chemotherapy and other cancer therapies can also cause weakness.
4. Heart Attack
Additionally, if a heart attack has caused your weakness, your doctor will discuss treatment options with you. Because not all cases of weakness will need treatment. Treatment will not be necessary if the weakness is due to cold or flu.
The Bottom Line
Some sources of weakness are part of daily life. For, e.g., if you have a cold weakness, time and rest should gradually clear up your weakness.
If your weakness is due to a more serious condition then visit your doctor early. Because it will help you recover faster.
So taking care of your health is a good preventive measure. Also drinking lots of water, getting enough rest, and exercising regularly will help you recover from weakness and prevent weakness.
