Acute and Chronic Health Conditions List

Chronic diseases are long-term conditions that affect the body’s ability to function normally. They are a major cause of health care costs, and often have social and economic consequences that limit the ability to engage in regular activities.

Acute and chronic health conditions

When you have an acute illness such as a cold, you’ll feel better within a short time. personal alarms for elderly When you have a chronic illness, it may last for weeks, months or years.





Some diseases, such as heart disease and cancer, can be cured. Others, such as arthritis and diabetes, can be controlled with medication, physical therapy or lifestyle changes.

How can I tell if I have a chronic disease?

The word “chronic” means “long-term” and has been used to describe a range of illnesses from infectious diseases, such as hepatitis C, HIV or malaria, to non-infectious disorders such as arthritis or multiple sclerosis.

However, these terms don’t necessarily define the nature of a disease, nor do they predict how the disease will progress or what treatment will be required. For example, an acute hepatitis C infection might respond to a few doses of antiviral drugs while the chronic form, HIV, invariably progresses and requires lifelong antiretroviral medications.

Regardless of the specific definition, the term “chronic” is widely used and is important to understand when discussing your health condition with a medical professional. Knowing the difference between an acute and chronic health condition will help you make informed decisions about your treatment and improve your quality of life.