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Oct 4, 2023 · Don'ts for Hospital Visitors. Don't enter the hospital if you have any symptoms that could be contagious. Neither the patient nor other hospital workers can afford to catch whatever you have. If you have symptoms like a cough, runny nose, rash or even diarrhea, don't visit. Make a phone call or send a card instead.
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- Overview
- Definition and symptoms
- Causes
- Complications
- Diagnosis
- When to see a doctor
- Treatment
- Summary
Malaise is a term for a general feeling of discomfort, illness, or fatigue that has no clearly identifiable cause.
A person may feel this way for various reasons. Some causes are transient and relatively benign, while others are more chronic and severe.
While health issues can cause malaise, people’s experiences and descriptions of this feeling tend to differ, which can create challenges for a doctor during diagnosis.
In this article, we review the definition of malaise and describe some causes of this symptom. We also provide information about how malaise can influence a diagnosis and what treatments are available.
Malaise is a general feeling of being unwell. It is a symptom, not a condition.
People tend to experience and describe malaise in different ways, but their descriptions tend to involve one or more of the following elements:
•discomfort
•pain
•illness
•depression
Many issues can cause malaise. Some general causes include:
•overexertion
•decreased physical activity
•jet lag
•viral infections
•medications, with malaise being a side effect
Some causes of malaise are temporary and tend not to cause any lasting harm. Examples include:
•jet lag
•overexertion
•the common cold
When malaise results from an underlying medical condition, a person’s health may deteriorate if they do not receive treatment. Diabetes, HIV, or cancer, for example, can lead to very serious complications, and even death, without proper treatment.
People may have difficulty identifying the cause of their malaise, and if this happens, it is important to see a doctor, who will work to diagnose the issue and provide appropriate treatment.
Doctors may find it challenging to identify and treat the cause of malaise. This is because there are many potential causes, and people tend to experience and describe malaise in different ways.
When making a diagnosis, a doctor will take a full medical history. This may include questions about:
•diet and exercise habits
•sleep habits
•drug or alcohol use
•prescription or over-the-counter medications
A person may be able to identify the cause of their malaise. In some cases, the cause is temporary and does not require medical treatment. Examples of such causes include:
•jet lag
•overexertion
•the common cold
Other causes of malaise are more serious and have the potential to cause further harm.
See a doctor if:
Treatment for malaise depends on its cause. When malaise results from a medical issue, treating this issue should help resolve the malaise.
People who experience unexplained fatigue may be tempted to use stimulants, such as caffeine or modafinil (Alertec).
These drugs may alleviate fatigue in the short term, but they are not a permanent solution. Instead, people with fatigue may benefit from regular physical activity, such as stretching and aerobic exercise.
When malaise is characterized by feelings of depression, a person may benefit from antidepressant medication, which may alleviate symptoms and increase energy levels. Some people also benefit from talking therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy.
Malaise is an unspecific symptom, and it can result from a diverse range of issues. Some causes come and go and are relatively harmless, while others can be lasting and severe.
A person should see a doctor if they experience severe, chronic, or unexplained malaise, or if other symptoms are present.
Diagnosing the cause of malaise can be difficult, especially because experiences and descriptions of malaise can differ. When making a diagnosis, a doctor will take a full medical history, and they may need to perform diagnostic tests.
A person with malaise may need to make frequent visits to their doctor. An ongoing conversation will provide the doctor with a more full and accurate understanding of the person’s experience and the underlying issue. Once the doctor has identified the cause of malaise, appropriate treatment can begin.
May 24, 2023 · Choose Healthy Comfort Foods. Choose nutritious foods that are easy to digest when you're sick (and while you're recovering, too). Try eating broth soups, plain pasta, lean meats, and mashed potatoes to help ease a stomach flu recovery. The foods known as the BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast) may help while you're sick.
chills. fatigue or weakness. muscle or body aches. new loss of smell or taste. headache. abdominal pain, diarrhea and vomiting. feeling very unwell. If you don’t feel well or if you have any symptoms, even if mild, assume you may have COVID-19. Immediately isolate at home and away from others.
- Some of the more commonly reported symptoms include: new or worsening cough shortness of breath or difficulty breathing temperature equal to or mor...
- You may be infected but not have symptoms. However, you can still spread the virus to others. You may: develop symptoms later (be pre-symptomatic)...
- Call 911 or your local emergency number if you develop severe symptoms, such as: significant difficulty breathing chest pain or pressure new onset...
- If you’re infected with COVID-19, even if not ill, follow the advice of your local public health authority for isolating at home. Most people with...
- The only way to confirm you have COVID-19 is through a laboratory test. Follow the testing directions provided by your local public health authorit...
- If you've tested positive for COVID-19, you must isolate at home and away from others, even if you don’t have any symptoms. If you develop symptoms...
- Consider downloading and using the COVID Alert app. It can let people know of possible exposures before any symptoms appear.
- If you’re concerned about your symptoms, consult your health care provider. They may recommend steps or medications you can take to relieve some of...
- Some people who become infected with COVID-19 may experience long-term symptoms, even after they recover from their initial infection. This is some...
Visiting hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. Visitors are permitted between the hours of 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. Please note that only TWO visitors may visit at a time. The time and frequency of the visits are to be determined by the patient and or in collaboration with their visitors. Patients will connect with their care visitors to help establish ...
LHSC continues to advise all visitors who feel unwell and do not require care to avoid coming to the hospital.Feeling unwell includes, but is not limited to:Respiratory issues (cough, runny nose, fever, shortness of breath)Gastrointestinal issues (vomit, diarrhea, nausea)If you are patient with an appointment or surgery, your care team will reach out directly if they need to make changes to ...
People also ask
Should you visit a patient in the hospital?
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What if I feel unwell at LHSC?
Visitors with a respiratory infection should not visit the hospital. Only patients who experience severe symptoms, such as shortness of breath and/or difficulty breathing, should come to hospital to receive care. Most respiratory infections can be managed at home and will not require hospitalization. If you or a loved one is experiencing severe ...
