General feeling of illness

A general feeling of illness is certainly known to everyone. Severe fatigue, complete exhaustion and the resulting difficulty in concentrating are among the most common symptoms. However, the general feeling of illness is not an independent illness, but only a symptom of an illness. A common cause is an infection with viruses or bacteria that caused the flu or cold, less often more serious illnesses are responsible.

What is a general feeling of illness?

A general feeling of illness often occurs very unexpectedly. If the person concerned has just felt completely healthy, the condition changes very quickly into the opposite.

The general feeling of illness is characterized above all by an enormous tiredness. Affected people feel tired and drained, the limbs feel heavy and weak. Difficulties in concentration are also common, and dizziness can occur. The general feeling of illness is not an independent illness.

In most cases it is a sign of an incipient or existing illness. These are often harmless infections, but in rarer cases a more serious illness can be the cause of the general feeling of illness.

causes

A general feeling of illness can have many different causes. In the best case scenario, it is simply the result of enormous stress on the body. Unusual stressful situations in everyday life can be so demanding that our body wants to force us to take a break. This should be seen as a warning sign and more compensation should be provided.

In most cases, however, the general feeling of illness is due to an infection. The harmless infectious diseases include the flu or cold, triggered by viruses, which can be followed by bacterial infections. The general feeling of illness is usually the first sign of such an infection.

In other cases, however, a more serious illness can also be responsible for the general malaise. A differentiation takes place here by further symptoms.

Diseases with this symptom

• mumps
• abdominal influenza
• cold
• measles
• Sore throat

• Frontal sinusitis
• Rhinosinusitis
• Tonsillitis
• rubella
• poliomyelitis

• Ear infection
• Inner ear infection
• typhus
• malaria
• chickenpox

Diagnosis & course

There is no special diagnostic procedure for the general feeling of illness, since it is only a symptom. The patient must therefore describe his condition to the doctor in detail so that he can get an idea of ​​the entire situation. However, there may also be a few visible signs. Some of those affected can clearly see the tiredness and exhaustion. Pale complexions are also very common in patients.

As a rule, the general feeling of illness begins very slowly and worsens very quickly. In the case of a flu-like infection in particular, the patient can notice a deterioration every hour and further symptoms such as runny nose, cough or fever set in.

The course of other diseases can be very different. If the flu or cold can be ruled out, it is imperative to find the causative disease.

Complications

A general feeling of illness is a non-specific symptom. It therefore harbors the risk of being misunderstood and misinterpreted, as it alone does not provide any information about what the person concerned is missing. The general feeling of illness only becomes more meaningful through further accompanying symptoms - in this way the doctor can begin to get to the bottom of the cause.

Alone it can stand for a harmless approaching cold, for example, but it can also be a symptom of a serious illness. The person affected should therefore try to observe carefully which other signs of illness he can observe and determine in himself. Also important are the duration of the general feeling of illness and the question of whether it persists all the time or keeps coming and going, perhaps even in connection with a certain event. Complications in connection with the general feeling of illness also arise if the person concerned does not take this symptom seriously.

The challenges of everyday life are perceived as more important or those affected think that the feeling of illness is not a sufficient reason to take it easy - this can worsen their condition or they miss the opportunity to see a doctor with an illness that requires treatment. The general feeling of illness can also be the body's language that it is time to take it easy - and that further stress only delays recovery.

When should you go to the doctor?

A general feeling of illness can express itself physically as well as mentally and in different ways. Either way, it's usually a good reason to see a doctor. Only here can it be determined which clinical pictures are possible.

Sufferers cannot pinpoint exactly what they have. There are few clear indications. The patient prefers to feel “somehow” sick. A slight pressure on the head, a strange gut feeling, a strange sluggishness: Many minor complaints are enough for some people to make them feel sick. When in doubt, it is always better to see your doctor, even if you have unclear symptoms.

He can do a blood count, monitor the heart and lungs, perform an EKG and other things. He makes the decision as to whether and which specialists should be called in. Internists who carry out a more extensive stress test or psychologists who can protect the person concerned from the threat of burnout, for example, come into question.

Various early-stage illnesses can also trigger a general feeling of illness. Doctors help identify the problem and treat the cause of the problem. It is therefore important not to drag the latent feeling around with you for a long time and instead go to the doctor in good time; especially when things are obviously not getting any better.

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Treatment & Therapy

Home remedies ↵ for colds Unfortunately, there is no specific treatment against the general feeling of illness. Regardless of the cause of the exhaustion, the patient should in any case take it easy and strain his body as little as possible. Because that is what the body wants to achieve through the signs - that the body is given rest so that it can put all the available energy into fighting the disease. The general feeling of illness can therefore occur with almost every illness.

A direct treatment is therefore not possible, as it is a side effect of illnesses and not an independent illness. That is why it is important to find the actual disease. Once the cause of the general feeling of illness has been determined by a doctor, targeted treatment of this illness is carried out. This improves the general condition of the patient and also reduces the general feeling of illness.

The treatment is of course absolutely dependent on the disease. While the flu or cold usually clears up on its own within about a week and there are almost exclusively symptomatic treatment methods, other illnesses require very specific drug therapy. It is therefore important that the cause of the general feeling of illness is found. This is the only way to ensure successful treatment, so that the patient quickly feels better. Since a serious illness can also be responsible for the general feeling of illness, it should not be taken lightly.

Outlook & forecast

If there is a general feeling of illness, no particular prognosis for the illness is usually possible. Here, the further course of the disease depends heavily on the patient's history and the current circumstances.

The general feeling of illness usually turns into a cold or the flu. This feeling then evolves into one of the two viral infections over time, giving the body a sign that it needs rest and relaxation to fight the symptom on its own.

In most cases, a visit to the doctor is not necessary. The person concerned can do something about the general feeling of illness himself. This definitely includes a lot of sleep, a lot of relaxation and an increase in fluids, which help the body to regenerate.

Anti-flu medications and medication may also be taken to prevent flu or cold outbreaks. These prevent the infection from progressing. Without treatment, the general feeling of illness can quickly turn into a cold.

If the person concerned is plagued by the feeling of illness over a longer period of time, a doctor should be consulted. In this case, the feeling of illness may be linked to another illness. However, in most cases this disease has a positive outcome.

prevention

There are also no direct measures to prevent the general feeling of illness. Since it is a side effect of diseases, the main thing is to prevent diseases in general. A strong immune system is essential for this. A healthy and balanced diet, sufficient exercise in the fresh air and sufficient recovery phases strengthen the immune system and can fight off infections better.

You can do that yourself

A general feeling of illness can occur with many different diseases and have very different causes. If the general feeling of illness is caused by an infection such as a cold or the flu, it is very important to take care of yourself. If possible, those affected should rest in bed or on the sofa, drink a lot and sleep. In this way, the immune system can fight the infection better and the self-healing powers are activated.

If there is a general feeling of illness due to chronic illnesses, moderate exercise can still be helpful in addition to avoiding physical exertion. With a short walk around the block or through the garden, the circulation gets going, and fresh air also promotes regeneration. A healthy diet and adequate fluid intake are further helpful measures for self-help in the event of a general feeling of illness. N After serious illnesses such as cancer or even after serious surgical interventions, a general feeling of illness can persist for a long time. In such a case it is important not to overwhelm yourself and to be patient with your own body. Moderate exercise, a healthy diet, and relaxation exercises are the means of choice here to slowly begin to feel better. These are also effective for a general feeling of illness caused by stress or psychological stress.