Side Effect: Malaise (feeling ill)

When a person has a general feeling of being ill it is commonly called malaise. Malaise is a feeling of general discomfort, uneasiness, or weakness often associated with a sense of illness or lack of well-being.

The experience of malaise can vary from person to person, but common symptoms include:

• fatigue
• weakness
• body aches
• a general sense of discomfort or unease

Malaise can be caused by a variety of factors, including physical and emotional stress, inflammation, and disease. Patients with cancer often experience malaise, particularly during chemotherapy or radiation therapy, as these treatments can cause a range of side effects that can contribute to feelings of weakness and fatigue.

To help prevent malaise it’s important to maintain adequate nutrition and hydration, regular physical activity, and good sleep hygiene.

• Treatment for malaise typically focuses on addressing the underlying cause
• In some cases, your physician may prescribe medications such as antidepressants to help manage malaise.
• Many patients find cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to be helpful in treating malaise
• Acupuncture has been shown in a few small trials to help as well.