It should not be confused withfatigue, which is extreme tiredness and a lack of energy or motivation.

The uneasiness often is an early sign of an undiagnosed condition.

Types of Malaise

Malaise is more than feeling “blah.”

An older man sleeping on the couch

Jose Luis Pelaez Inc. / Getty Images

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.

Underlying causes range fromsubclinical hypothyroidismandobstructive sleep apneatopolymyalgia rheumaticaand bipolar depression.

Causes

There are many theories for why malaise occurs.

It may also be the consequence of increased cytokine activity in people with a chronic illness.

During your appointment, they will review your symptoms and medical history to help pinpoint the underlying cause.

Additional tests may be ordered based on these preliminary findings.

However, there are no clear recommendations that apply to all patients.

Hughes C.ICD-10 coding for the undiagnosed problem.Fam Pract.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Post-exertional malaise.

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.