

Malaise is a general feeling of discomfort or unease that can be difficult to pinpoint. It is often described as a vague sense of not feeling well and may be accompanied by fatigue, weakness, or a general sense of being run-down. Malaise can be caused by a variety of factors, including illness, stress, anxiety, or sleep deprivation. It is frequently a symptom of a more serious underlying condition rather than a separate condition in and of itself. If you are experiencing persistent or severe malaise, it is important to speak with a healthcare professional to determine the underlying cause and receive appropriate treatment. Here in this article we will have a look at different symptoms, causes, treatments, and medical conditions of malaise.
Malaise can have many different causes, and it can be difficult to pinpoint the exact underlying issue without a medical evaluation. Some potential causes of malaise include:
These are just a few examples of potential causes of malaise. It is important to speak with a healthcare professional if you are experiencing persistent or severe malaise, as they can help determine the underlying cause and recommend appropriate treatment.
Malaise can be a symptoms of multiple infectious and non-infectious diseases and conditions:
Many people recovering from COVID-19 and those with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) may also experience post-exertional malaise. This occurs when minor mental or physical activity has a drastic impact on the body’s metabolism. As a result, it leads to malaise, fatigue, and a worsening of other symptoms.
Malaise is an unwanted, but common, side effect of different types of medications:
There isn’t a lot of peer-reviewed research focused solely on malaise. However, there are still clear symptoms that allow healthcare providers to make a diagnosis:
The treatments for malaise depend on the underlying cause. Sometimes the cause isn’t apparent and requires further diagnostic tests.
A healthcare professional might ask for your family history as well as any new medications you might be taking. If they believe your malaise is linked to a drug reaction, they may suggest switching to another medication. If the underlying cause is still unknown, they may request different tests to diagnose the source of the symptoms.
These tests include:
The causes of malaise aren’t always clear-cut and can be difficult to diagnose. For the majority of cases, these tests can clear up the source of malaise. For example, if the blood test shows low iron levels suggesting anemia, this might be the source of your malaise. Your healthcare practitioner would then recommend iron supplements to treat the anemia.
Fatigue often occurs along with malaise. When experiencing malaise, you 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 due to lifestyle factors, illnesses, and certain medications.
Your doctor will perform a physical examination. They’ll look for an obvious physical condition that could be the cause of your malaise or could give clues about its cause.
They will also ask questions about your malaise. Be prepared to provide details such as approximately when the malaise started and whether the malaise seems to come and go, or is constantly present.
Your doctor will also likely ask you questions about recent travel, additional symptoms you’re experiencing, any challenges you have in completing daily activities, and why you think you’re having these challenges.
They’ll ask you what medications you’re taking, if you use drugs or alcohol, and whether you have any known health issues or conditions.
If they aren’t sure what’s causing you to feel malaise, they may order tests to confirm or rule out one or more diagnoses. These tests may include blood tests, X-rays, and other diagnostic tools. You can read more details about malaise at healthline.