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Malaise

Definition

Malaise is a generalized feeling of discomfort, illness, or lack of well-being. It can be associated with a disease. Malaise can be accompanied by a feeling of exhaustion, or of not having enough energy to accomplish usual activities.

Alternative Names

General ill feeling

Considerations

Malaise is a nonspecific symptom that can occur with almost any significant infectious, metabolic (endocrine), or systemic (throughout the body) disorder. The onset may be slow or rapid depending on the nature of the disease.

Fatigue accompanies malaise in many common diseases.

Causes

The following lists give examples of the diseases and conditions that can cause malaise.

ACUTE INFECTIOUS DISEASE

• Acute bronchitis or pneumonia
• Acute viral syndrome
• Infectious mononucleosis (EBV)
• Influenza
• Lyme disease

CHRONIC INFECTIOUS DISEASE

• AIDS
• Chronic active hepatitis
• Parasitic disease
• Tuberculosis

CARDIOPULMONARY DISEASE

• Congestive heart failure
• COPD

ORGAN FAILURE

• Acute or chronic kidney disease
• Acute or chronic liver disease

CONNECTIVE TISSUE DISEASE

• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Sarcoidosis
• Systemic lupus erythematosus

ENDOCRINE or METABOLIC

• Adrenal gland dysfunction
• Diabetes
• Pituitary gland dysfunction (rare)
• Thyroid disease

NEOPLASTIC

• Leukemia
• Lymphoma (cancer that starts in the lymph system)
• Solid tumor malignancies, such as colon cancer

BLOOD DISORDERS

• Severe anemia

PSYCHIATRIC

• Depression
• Dysthymia (a long-lasting depressed mood, less severe than depression)

MEDICATIONS

• Anticonvulsant (antiseizure) medications
• Antihistamines
• Beta blockers (medications used to treat heart disease or high blood pressure)
• Psychiatric medications
• Treatments involving several medications

Home Care

Significant symptoms require immediate attention from your health care provider.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

• Malaise is accompanied by other symptoms indicating a significant illness.
• Malaise persists longer than one week, with or without other symptoms.

Your health care provider will perform a physical examination and ask questions such as:

• How long has this feeling lasted (weeks or months)?
• What other symptoms do you have?
• Is the malaise constant or episodic (comes and goes)?
• Can you complete your daily activities? If not, what limits you?
• Have you recently traveled?
• What medications are you on?
• What are your other medical problems?
• Do you use alcohol or other drugs?

If signs or symptoms of a significant illness are present, tests may be required to confirm the diagnosis. These may include various blood tests, x-rays, or other diagnostic tests.

Review Date: 1/18/2007
Reviewed By: Benjamin W. Van Voorhees, MD, MPH, Assistant Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.