Malaise

Malaise is a vague feeling of general discomfort, unease, or lack of wellbeing, and is one of the most common early symptoms of infection or disease, often appearing before any specific symptom can be identified. It is thought to arise from the body's immune response, particularly the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and its causes range from minor and transient, such as hunger or strong emotion, to serious, such as cancer, stroke, or heart attack, making it a genuinely nonspecific sign rather than a diagnosis in itself. Because it has no defining features of its own, malaise is diagnosed only by the history and context surrounding it, and must be distinguished from related states such as pain, anxiety, and depression.