Malaise is a medical term to describe feelings of tiredness, discomfort, and unwell for which there is no known cause. This condition is not a disease, but a symptom of a certain disease and can last for several weeks to years.
When you are sick, almost everyone will feel malaise. Malaise can appear quickly or develop slowly. This complaint can also occur for a long time, depending on the type of disease suffered.
Malaise is often characterized by the following conditions:
- The body feels weak or has no energy
- Feeling uncomfortable or unwell
- Feeling tired is still felt even after resting all night
In contrast to feeling tired or unwell due to fatigue, malaise usually has no apparent cause and often makes it difficult for the person who feels it to be active.
Various Possible Causes of Malaise
There are many diseases or conditions that can cause malaise, including:
1. Infection
Malaise can be a sign of an infectious disease, whether it is a bacterial, viral, or parasitic infection. The following are some infectious diseases that often make a person experience malaise:
- Pneumonia
- Acute bronchitis
- Flu
- COVID-19
- Tuberculosis (TB)
- Malaria
- Leptospirosis
- HIV/AIDS
- Mononucleosis
2. Certain diseases
In addition to infectious diseases, malaise can also be caused by the following diseases:
- Anemia or lack of blood
- Kidney illness
- Diabetes
- Thyroid disorders
- Congestive heart failure
- Arthritis, for example due to osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis
- Fibromyalgia
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- Liver disease, such as hepatitis and cirrhosis
- Chronic fatigue syndrome
- HIV/AIDS
- Cancer
3. Mental disorders
When under stress, the body will become less energetic and tired quickly. Usually, the body will return to energy after the stress is resolved. However, in certain cases, malaise or fatigue can occur for a long time and is generally caused by certain mental disorders, such as depression and anxiety disorders.
4. Malnutrition
People who are malnourished or malnourished will also often experience malaise. When experiencing malnutrition, a person's body will lack the nutrients and energy needed for daily activities.
Malnutrition conditions can be caused by many things, ranging from extreme diets, eating disorders, such as bulimia and anorexia, to impaired absorption of nutrients in the gastrointestinal tract.
5. Drug side effects
Malaise can also be caused by a side effect of medications. There are many types of drugs that can cause malaise as a side effect, including:
- anticonvulsant
- Allergy medications or antihistamines
- Medications for heart disease and high blood pressure, such as beta blockers (beta blockers)
- Sedatives and antidepressants
- Chemotherapy drugs
Apart from the conditions or diseases above, malaise can also sometimes occur due to an unhealthy lifestyle, such as lack of sleep, frequent consumption of alcoholic beverages and caffeine, and rarely exercise.
How to Deal with Malaise
There are many factors that can cause a person to experience malaise. Therefore, this condition should not be underestimated. If you experience malaise, you should immediately consult a doctor for the condition.
After being diagnosed with malaise and knowing the cause, you will get the right treatment.
For example, if the malaise is caused by anemia, the doctor will prescribe blood-boosting drugs and iron supplements. Meanwhile, if your malaise is caused by an infection, your doctor will give you antiviral or antibiotic medication according to the cause of the infection.
In order to increase your energy and deal with malaise during your recovery from illness, it is recommended that you follow these tips:
- Do exercise regularly according to the ability of the body.
- Get enough rest time, namely by sleeping for 7-9 hours every night.
- Stop smoking and stay away from secondhand smoke.
- Eat nutritious food and avoid fast food or junk food.
- Reduce stress, for example with meditation or yoga.
If you feel lethargic, tired, and unwell for more than 7 days or it has been months, do not hesitate to see a doctor and undergo an examination to get the right treatment for malaise, according to the cause.