MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Malaise

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Malaise

Contents of this page:
Alternative names Definition Considerations Common Causes	Home Care Call your health care provider if What to expect at your health care provider's office

Alternative names

General ill feeling

Definition Return to top

Malaise is a generalized feeling of discomfort, illness, or lack of well-being that can be associated with a disease state. It can be accompanied by a sensation of exhaustion or inadequate energy to accomplish usual activities.

Considerations Return to top

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

Fatigue accompanies malaise in many common diseases.

Common Causes Return to top

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

ACUTE INFECTIOUS DISEASE

CHRONIC INFECTIOUS DISEASE

AIDS
Tuberculosis
Infectious mononucleosis (EBV)
Parasitic disease
Chronic active hepatitis

CARDIOPULMONARY

ORGAN FAILURE

Acute or chronic kidney disease
Acute or chronic liver disease

CONNECTIVE TISSUE DISEASE

ENDOCRINE or METABOLIC

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

NEOPLASTIC

Lymphoma
Leukemia
Solid tumor malignancies, such as colon cancer

BLOOD DISORDERS

Severe anemia

Home Care Return to top

Significant symptoms require prompt attention from your medical provider

Call your health care provider if Return to top

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

What to expect at your health care provider's office Return to top

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

How long has it lasted (weeks or months)?
What other symptoms do you have?
Is the malaise constant or episodic?
Can you complete your daily activities? If not what limits you?
Have you recently travelled?
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, testing may be required to confirm the diagnosis. This may include various blood tests, x-rays, or other diagnostic tests.

Update Date: 5/26/2003

Updated by: Bridget Martell, M.D., Department of Internal Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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