Malaise

Also known as: General ill feeling

Definition

Malaise is a generalized feeling of discomfort, illness, or lack of well-being.

Considerations

Malaise is a symptom that can occur with almost any significant health condition. It may start slowly or quickly, depending on the type of disease.

Fatigue occurs with malaise in many common diseases. Mailaise can be accompanied by a feeling of not having enough energy to accomplish usual activities.

Common Causes

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

SHORT-TERM (ACUTE) INFECTIOUS DISEASE

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

LONG-TERM (CHRONIC) INFECTIOUS DISEASE

AIDS
Chronic active hepatitis
Disease caused by parasites
Tuberculosis

HEART AND LUNG (CARDIOPULMONARY) DISEASE

ORGAN FAILURE

Acute or chronic kidney disease
Acute or chronic liver disease

CONNECTIVE TISSUE DISEASE

ENDOCRINE or METABOLIC DISEASE

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

CANCER

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

BLOOD DISORDERS

Severe anemia

PSYCHIATRIC

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

If you have significant malaise, contact your health care provider immediately.

Call your health care provider if

Contact your health care provider if:

You have other symptoms with the malaise.
Malaise lasts longer than one week, with or without other symptoms.

What to expect at your health care provider's office

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.

References

Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007.

Review date:: January 31, 2011
Reviewed by:: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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