Malaise, bad feeling: What's it, causes, symptoms, diagnostics, treatment, prevention

Malaise; General ill feeling

Malaise: What's it?

Malaise – This State, when a person feels general weakness, fatigue and lack of energy. This symptom can occur for various reasons and is often the result of various factors affecting the body..

Causes of malaise

Feeling unwell can be caused by a wide range of reasons.. Some of these include:

1. physical fatigue: Overwork or lack of sleep can lead to feelings of general weakness and fatigue..
2. Psychological reasons: Stress, alarm, depression or other mental conditions can make you feel unwell.
3. Unhealthy lifestyle: Poor diet, lack of physical activity, alcohol or nicotine use may contribute to the onset of malaise.
4. Chronic diseases: Some chronic diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease or autoimmune disease, can cause permanent discomfort.
5. Lack of vitamins and minerals: Lack of certain vitamins and minerals in the body, such as iron or vitamin B12, can lead to discomfort.

The following are examples of diseases, conditions and drugs, which may cause discomfort.

SHORT TERM (ACUTE) INFECTION

• Acute bronchitis or pneumonia
• Acute viral syndrome
• Kissing disease (WEB)
• Flu
• Lyme Disease

LONG-TERM (CHRONIC) INFECTION

• AIDS
• Chronic active hepatitis
• Disease, caused by parasites
• Tuberculosis

HEART AND LUNG DISEASES (CARDIOLUNG)

• Congestive heart failure
• COPD

ORGAN FAILURE

• Acute or chronic kidney disease
• Acute or chronic liver disease

CONNECTIVE TISSUE DISEASE

• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Sarkoidoz
• Systemic lupus erythematosus

ENDOCRINE or METABOLIC DISEASES

• adrenal dysfunction
• Diabetes
• Pituitary dysfunction (rarely)
• Thyroid disease

CANCER

• Leukemia
• Lymphoma (cancer, which starts in the lymphatic system )
• Solid cancerous tumors, such as colon cancer

BLOOD DISEASES

• Severe anemia

PSYCHIATRIC DISEASES

• Depression
• Distimija

MEDICINES

• Anticonvulsants (anticonvulsants) preparations
• Antihistamines
• Beta Blockers (medicines, used to treat heart disease or high blood pressure)
• Psihiatricheskie drugs
• A course of treatment with multiple drugs

Symptoms of malaise

Symptoms of malaise may vary depending on its cause and individual characteristics of the patient.. But, the most common symptoms of malaise include:

• General weakness and fatigue;
• Loss of energy and desire to actively do something;
• Difficulty concentrating and decreased productivity;
• Bad mood or irritability;
• Pain in muscles or joints;
• Decreased appetite or weight change;
• Inability to sleep well and rest.

When to see a doctor if you feel unwell

Although the malaise may be due to fatigue or a simple unhealthy lifestyle, sometimes it can be a warning of a serious problem. Here are some cases, when to see a doctor:

• If the discomfort becomes prolonged and does not improve over time;
• If the discomfort is accompanied by other symptoms, like pain, fever or sleep disturbances;
• If you feel unwell after taking new medications;
• If the ailment seriously interferes with your normal life and daily activities.

Questions, which the doctor may ask

When you see a doctor if you feel unwell, your doctor may ask you a few questions to get a better picture of your condition. Some of the possible questions include:

1. How long do you feel unwell?
2. Do you have other symptoms, concomitant malaise?
3. Are you worried about being tired or lacking energy??
4. Is there something, what made the discomfort better or worse?
5. Are you taking any medication or suffering from any chronic illness?

Answering these questions will help your doctor better understand the causes of your discomfort and develop the most effective diagnosis and treatment plan..

Diagnosis of malaise

Diagnosing an illness begins with a physical examination and collection of medical data about you.. The doctor may do a physical examination, check your medical history and order laboratory tests to rule out underlying diseases. Some of the possible studies might include:

1. Blood test: Checking hemoglobin levels, gland, vitamins and other indicators, to rule out deficient conditions or other disorders.
2. Analysis of urine: Urinalysis may help identify infections or kidney problems.
3. Biochemical blood analysis: Checking blood sugar, liver function and other parameters, to rule out any violations.
4. Immunological tests: If an autoimmune disease is suspected, your doctor may do immunological tests to evaluate your immune system.

Treatment for malaise

Treatment for malaise depends on its cause and may include a variety of methods.. Here are some approaches, which can be applied:

1. Lifestyle changes: Your doctor may recommend some lifestyle changes, such as regular exercise, healthy eating, adequate rest and sleep.
2. Psychotherapy: If the malaise is due to psychological reasons, the doctor may recommend psychotherapeutic support or counseling.
3. Drug treatment: The doctor may prescribe medication, to relieve symptoms or treat an underlying condition, ailing.
4. Additional treatments may be applied depending on the specific case and the causes of the ailment..

Treating ailments at home

In addition to treatment, prescribed by a doctor, there are also some home methods, that can help relieve pain:

1. Rest and get enough sleep: Try to make time for rest and sleep, so that your body can recover.
2. Eat Healthy: Check, that your diet is rich in nutrients, including fruit, vegetables, complete grains and proteins.
3. Drink enough water: Try to drink enough water throughout the day, to avoid dehydration.
4. Avoid stress: Practice relaxation techniques regularly, such as meditation or yoga, to reduce stress levels.

Prevention of malaise

While some illnesses cannot be prevented, there are some measures, that can be taken to reduce the risk of its occurrence:

1. Follow a healthy lifestyle: Follow a healthy diet, engage in regular physical activity and avoid bad habits, such as smoking and drinking.
2. Manage stress: Learn Stress Management Strategies, that work for you, and try to incorporate them into your daily life.
3. Get enough rest and sleep: Get enough sleep and rest, so your body can recover and maintain good health.
4. Get regular medical check-ups: See your doctor periodically for check-ups and checks on your general health.

Remember, that in the event of continued malaise or any disturbing symptoms, it is important to see a qualified physician for diagnosis and treatment.

Used sources and literature

Leggett JE. Approach to fever or suspected infection in the normal host. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 264.

Nield LS, Kamat D. Fever. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Bloom NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 201.

Simel DL. Approach to the patient: history and physical examination. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 6.