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Malaise
Definition:
A generalized feeling of discomfort, illness, uneasiness, or lack of well-being that is often associated with a disease state.

Alternative Names:
General ill feeling

Considerations:
Malaise is a nonspecific symptom that can occur with almost any significant infection, or with metabolic, endocrine, or neurologic disorders. It may develop slowly or may appear rapidly depending on the nature of the disease.

Fatigue accompanies malaise in many common diseases.
Common Causes:
Home Care:
Consult your health care provider.
Call your health care provider if:
  • 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:
The medical history will be obtained and a physical examination performed.

Medical history questions documenting malaise in detail may include:
  • How long has it lasted?
  • Has it lasted for weeks or months?
  • Has it been one persistent attack or are there multiple separate occurrences (episodic)?
  • How long does each separate occurrence last (for how many hours)?
  • Did malaise develop within 4 to 6 hours after exposure to something that the person is allergic to (an antigen)?
  • What other symptoms are also present?
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.

After seeing your health care provider:
If a diagnosis was made by your health care provider related to malaise, you may want to note that diagnosis in your personal medical record.
Review Date: 11/30/2001
Reviewed By: Steven Angelo, M.D. Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, Hospital of Saint Raphael, New Haven, CT. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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