Malaise

• Alternative Names

  General ill feeling

• 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

  • 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 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

  • Depression
  • Dysthymia

  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: 2/22/2009

Reviewed By: Linda Vorvick, MD, Family Physician, Seattle Site Coordinator, Lecturer, Pathophysiology, 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.