'I just don't feel right'.
BACKGROUND
Much undifferentiated illness is seen in general practice. Patients with vague feelings of general unwellness may have multiple unrelated problems, serious underlying pathology, definite but indefinable pathology, no definable pathology, and/or illness of psychological origin.


OBJECTIVE
This article looks at an approach to a patient who complains of feeling 'not quite right'.


CONCLUSIONS
Assessment of undifferentiated illness is a complex process and may require more time than a 15 minute consultation. Considering the patient's age and gender helps guide history, examination and investigation. Red flags for serious disorders must be sought.
Ee
Carolyn
C
Department of General Practice, University of Melbourne, Victoria. ccee@unimelb.edu.au
D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005356:Fibromyalgia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008487:Medical History Taking; D055815:Young Adult