Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypes of MalaiseAssociated ConditionsCausesWhen to Call a Healthcare ProviderFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Types of Malaise
Associated Conditions
Causes
When to Call a Healthcare Provider
Frequently Asked Questions
Malaise is a term used to describe a general feeling of discomfort, lack of well-being, or illness that can come on quickly or develop slowly and accompany almost any health condition. It should not be confused withfatigue, which is extreme tiredness and a lack of energy or motivation. Although fatigue commonly accompanies malaise, malaise is a non-specific symptom in which you simply feel that “something is not right.” The uneasiness often is an early sign of an undiagnosed condition.
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When malaise occurs as part of a diagnosed illness or condition, a healthcare provider typically will record it “general malaise.” Aside from that, there are two other types of malaise:
Isolated general malaise (IGM):An episode of malaise, either short-lived or persistent, with no known etiology (cause). IGM is not meant to suggest a symptom is “all in your head” and is rarely used.
Post-exertional malaise (PEM):An imprecise term used to describe a feeling of unwellness after physical activity.
PEM is a characteristic ofmyalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS)but can occur on its own without any clear etiology. Underlying causes range fromsubclinical hypothyroidismandobstructive sleep apneatopolymyalgia rheumaticaand bipolar depression.
Malaise is a non-specific symptom associated with nearly all infectious, metabolic, and systemic diseases and may also be a side effect of certain medications:
Evenjet lagor ahangovercan cause short-term malaise.
There are many theories for why malaise occurs. One is that it is the body’s subtle response to proteins known ascytokinesthat regulate how the body reacts to disease. Although the body produces a multitude of cytokines, their function remains the same: to coordinate cells to repair tissues, maintain tissues, and fight infection or disease.
When cytokines are produced in response to disease, it is believed they affect a structure deep in the brain called the basal ganglia, making it less receptive to the “feel-good” hormonedopamine. The deprivation of dopamine in the brain can result in anhedonia (the inability to feel pleasure) and psychomotor slowing (sluggish thoughts and movements).
Malaise often serves as an early warning sign of an acute illness that is subclinical (with few notable symptoms). It may also be the consequence of increased cytokine activity in people with a chronic illness.
You should see your healthcare provider if malaise persists for more than a week with or without accompanying symptoms. During your appointment, they will review your symptoms and medical history to help pinpoint the underlying cause. It can be helpful to have ready answers to some of the questions you may be asked, such as:
You also will likely have a physical exam to check for signs of infection (such asswollen glands) orevidence of anemia(pale skin, brittle nails, or cold hands or feet). Additional tests may be ordered based on these preliminary findings.
Although it may take time to pinpoint the cause, try to be patient and honest with your healthcare provider. The more information you can give, the sooner they can pin down what’s causing your malaise and how to treat it.
Frequently Asked QuestionsThere is no known treatment for post-exertional malaise.Doctors recommend that people with CFS work on pacing themselves to try and manage malaise. However, there are no clear recommendations that apply to all patients. It may take trial and error to figure out how or when you need to limit your physical activities to avoid malaise.Learn MoreUnderstanding Chronic Fatigue SyndromeResearch shows that withdrawal from marijuana can cause malaise.The connection between cannabis and malaise may be more complicated, though. It’s unclear whether some people begin smoking marijuana because they are trying to ease existing malaise or if a cannabis habit can cause the sense of illness to start with.Learn MoreWhat Is Cannabis Withdrawal?COVID-19 can cause post-COVID-19 fatigue syndrome (PCFS) in which people who have recovered from the initial coronavirus infection feel lingering symptoms for months. Post-exertional malaise, where a person feels unwell after physical activity, is one of the common signs of PCFS.Learn MoreGuide to COVID-19
There is no known treatment for post-exertional malaise.Doctors recommend that people with CFS work on pacing themselves to try and manage malaise. However, there are no clear recommendations that apply to all patients. It may take trial and error to figure out how or when you need to limit your physical activities to avoid malaise.Learn MoreUnderstanding Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
There is no known treatment for post-exertional malaise.Doctors recommend that people with CFS work on pacing themselves to try and manage malaise. However, there are no clear recommendations that apply to all patients. It may take trial and error to figure out how or when you need to limit your physical activities to avoid malaise.
Learn MoreUnderstanding Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Research shows that withdrawal from marijuana can cause malaise.The connection between cannabis and malaise may be more complicated, though. It’s unclear whether some people begin smoking marijuana because they are trying to ease existing malaise or if a cannabis habit can cause the sense of illness to start with.Learn MoreWhat Is Cannabis Withdrawal?
Research shows that withdrawal from marijuana can cause malaise.The connection between cannabis and malaise may be more complicated, though. It’s unclear whether some people begin smoking marijuana because they are trying to ease existing malaise or if a cannabis habit can cause the sense of illness to start with.
Learn MoreWhat Is Cannabis Withdrawal?
COVID-19 can cause post-COVID-19 fatigue syndrome (PCFS) in which people who have recovered from the initial coronavirus infection feel lingering symptoms for months. Post-exertional malaise, where a person feels unwell after physical activity, is one of the common signs of PCFS.Learn MoreGuide to COVID-19
COVID-19 can cause post-COVID-19 fatigue syndrome (PCFS) in which people who have recovered from the initial coronavirus infection feel lingering symptoms for months. Post-exertional malaise, where a person feels unwell after physical activity, is one of the common signs of PCFS.
Learn MoreGuide to COVID-19
8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Hughes C.ICD-10 coding for the undiagnosed problem.Fam Pract.De Portugal Alvarez J, Rivera Berrio L, González San Martín F, Sánchez Rodríguez A, De portugal E, Del Rivero F.Etiology of isolated general malaise.An Med Interna.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Post-exertional malaise.Felger JC, Miller AH.Cytokine effects on the basal ganglia and dopamine function: the subcortical source of inflammatory malaise.Front Neuroendocrinol. 2012;33(3):315-27. doi:10.1016/j.yfrne.2012.09.003Argyropoulos SV, Nutt DJ.Anhedonia revisited: is there a role for dopamine-targeting drugs for depression?.J Psychopharmacol (Oxford).2013;27(10):869-77. doi:10.1177/0269881113494104Stussman B, Williams A, Snow J, et al.Characterization of post–exertional malaise in patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.Front Neurol. 2020;11:1025. doi:10.3389/fneur.2020.01025Zehra A, Burns J, Liu CK, et al.Cannabis addiction and the brain: a review.FOC. 2019;17(2):169-182. doi:10.1176/appi.focus.17204Mackay A.A paradigm for post-COVID-19 fatigue syndrome analogous to ME/CFS.Front Neurol. 2021;12:701419. doi:10.3389/fneur.2021.701419
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Hughes C.ICD-10 coding for the undiagnosed problem.Fam Pract.De Portugal Alvarez J, Rivera Berrio L, González San Martín F, Sánchez Rodríguez A, De portugal E, Del Rivero F.Etiology of isolated general malaise.An Med Interna.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Post-exertional malaise.Felger JC, Miller AH.Cytokine effects on the basal ganglia and dopamine function: the subcortical source of inflammatory malaise.Front Neuroendocrinol. 2012;33(3):315-27. doi:10.1016/j.yfrne.2012.09.003Argyropoulos SV, Nutt DJ.Anhedonia revisited: is there a role for dopamine-targeting drugs for depression?.J Psychopharmacol (Oxford).2013;27(10):869-77. doi:10.1177/0269881113494104Stussman B, Williams A, Snow J, et al.Characterization of post–exertional malaise in patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.Front Neurol. 2020;11:1025. doi:10.3389/fneur.2020.01025Zehra A, Burns J, Liu CK, et al.Cannabis addiction and the brain: a review.FOC. 2019;17(2):169-182. doi:10.1176/appi.focus.17204Mackay A.A paradigm for post-COVID-19 fatigue syndrome analogous to ME/CFS.Front Neurol. 2021;12:701419. doi:10.3389/fneur.2021.701419
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Hughes C.ICD-10 coding for the undiagnosed problem.Fam Pract.De Portugal Alvarez J, Rivera Berrio L, González San Martín F, Sánchez Rodríguez A, De portugal E, Del Rivero F.Etiology of isolated general malaise.An Med Interna.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Post-exertional malaise.Felger JC, Miller AH.Cytokine effects on the basal ganglia and dopamine function: the subcortical source of inflammatory malaise.Front Neuroendocrinol. 2012;33(3):315-27. doi:10.1016/j.yfrne.2012.09.003Argyropoulos SV, Nutt DJ.Anhedonia revisited: is there a role for dopamine-targeting drugs for depression?.J Psychopharmacol (Oxford).2013;27(10):869-77. doi:10.1177/0269881113494104Stussman B, Williams A, Snow J, et al.Characterization of post–exertional malaise in patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.Front Neurol. 2020;11:1025. doi:10.3389/fneur.2020.01025Zehra A, Burns J, Liu CK, et al.Cannabis addiction and the brain: a review.FOC. 2019;17(2):169-182. doi:10.1176/appi.focus.17204Mackay A.A paradigm for post-COVID-19 fatigue syndrome analogous to ME/CFS.Front Neurol. 2021;12:701419. doi:10.3389/fneur.2021.701419
Hughes C.ICD-10 coding for the undiagnosed problem.Fam Pract.
De Portugal Alvarez J, Rivera Berrio L, González San Martín F, Sánchez Rodríguez A, De portugal E, Del Rivero F.Etiology of isolated general malaise.An Med Interna.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Post-exertional malaise.
Felger JC, Miller AH.Cytokine effects on the basal ganglia and dopamine function: the subcortical source of inflammatory malaise.Front Neuroendocrinol. 2012;33(3):315-27. doi:10.1016/j.yfrne.2012.09.003
Argyropoulos SV, Nutt DJ.Anhedonia revisited: is there a role for dopamine-targeting drugs for depression?.J Psychopharmacol (Oxford).2013;27(10):869-77. doi:10.1177/0269881113494104
Stussman B, Williams A, Snow J, et al.Characterization of post–exertional malaise in patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.Front Neurol. 2020;11:1025. doi:10.3389/fneur.2020.01025
Zehra A, Burns J, Liu CK, et al.Cannabis addiction and the brain: a review.FOC. 2019;17(2):169-182. doi:10.1176/appi.focus.17204
Mackay A.A paradigm for post-COVID-19 fatigue syndrome analogous to ME/CFS.Front Neurol. 2021;12:701419. doi:10.3389/fneur.2021.701419
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