Malaise
Unlike most other conditions, malaise doesnât have a precise set of symptoms. Instead, it is described as an overall sense of discomfort, illness, or simply not feeling well.
Sometimes, a person can have a sudden onset of malaise. Other times, it may develop gradually and persist for a long period. The reason behind an individualâs malaise can be extremely difficult to pinpoint because it can be caused by so many conditions.
However, once a diagnosis is made, treating the condition may ease the individualâs malaise.
Causes of Malaise
Health Conditions
The list below includes some of the possible explanations for malaise. However, this list is far from exhaustive. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), practically any serious health condition can result in a feeling of malaise (NIH, 2011).Therefore, it is important not to jump to conclusions about the cause until you have seen your doctor.
Some medical reasons for malaise include:
acute viral syndrome
acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)
adrenal gland dysfunction
anemia (severe)
bronchitis (acute)
colon cancer and other cancers involving solid malignant tumors
congestive heart failure
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
depression
diabetes
hepatitis
influenza
kidney and liver disease
leukemia
Lyme disease
lymphoma
mononucleosis
parasitic infections
pituitary gland dysfunction (rare condition)
pneumonia
rheumatoid arthritis
sarcoidosis
tuberculosis
Medications
Some medications can also put you at risk for malaise. These include:
anticonvulsants
some medications used to treat hypertension and heart disease (specifically beta blockers)
medications used to treat psychiatric disorders
antihistamines
combinations of different medications
Malaise and Fatigue
Fatigue often occurs along with malaise. An individual experiencing malaise will often also feel exhausted or lethargic in addition to a generalized feeling of being unwell.
Like malaise, fatigue has a large number of possible explanations. It can be attributed to lifestyle factors, illnesses, and certain medications.
When Should You See Your Doctor About Your Malaise?
The NIH recommends making an appointment with your doctor to have your malaise assessed if:
the feelings of malaise you are experiencing are significant
you have persistent malaise that has lasted longer than seven days
you are experiencing other symptoms in addition to the malaise (NIH, 2011)
How Is Malaise Diagnosed?
Your doctor will likely first perform a physical examination. He or she will be looking for an obvious physical condition that could be causing your malaise or clues to its root cause.
Your doctor will also probably ask questions about your malaise. Be prepared to provide details such as:
approximately when the malaise started
whether the malaise seems to come and go, or is constantly present
In addition, your doctor will likely ask you questions about factors such as:
recent travel
additional symptoms you are experiencing
challenges you are experiencing with respect to completing daily activities, and why you feel you are having these challenges
medications you are taking
your current medical status, including whether you have any known health issues and/or conditions
alcohol use
drug use
Your doctor may have a better idea of what is causing you to feel generally unwell after the exam. At that point, he or she may order medical testing to confirm or rule out one or more diagnoses. These tests may include blood tests, X-rays, and other diagnostic tools.
How Can Malaise Be Treated and Prevented?
Malaise is not a condition in and of itself. Therefore, treatment will be aimed at addressing the underlying cause. It is impossible to predict what this treatment will consist of because malaise can be caused by something as simple as the flu or something as serious as leukemia.
Treatment for the underlying cause of your malaise can help control the feeling and prevent it from becoming overwhelming. You can minimize your malaise by:
getting plenty of rest
exercising regularly
eating a balanced, healthy diet
controlling stress
Because it has so many possible causes, malaise is not easy to prevent.
Source: http://www.healthline.com