Acute vs. chronic conditions: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia Image (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between acute and chronic medical conditions? ›

Acute conditions are severe and sudden in onset. This could describe anything from a broken bone to an asthma attack. A chronic condition, by contrast is a long-developing syndrome, such as osteoporosis or asthma. Note that osteoporosis, a chronic condition, may cause a broken bone, an acute condition.

An acute disease is a short-lived disease, like the common cold. A chronic disease is one that lasts for a long time, usually at least six months.

What's the difference between acute and chronic conditions? Acute illnesses generally develop suddenly and last a short time, often only a few days or weeks. Chronic conditions develop slowly and may worsen over an extended period of time—months to years.

Acute medication is meant to be used for a short amount of time in order to treat an illness or condition that is short-term, usually less than a month. Whereas chronic medication is meant for several months to years.

A disease or condition that usually lasts for 3 months or longer and may get worse over time. Chronic diseases tend to occur in older adults and can usually be controlled but not cured. The most common types of chronic disease are cancer, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and arthritis.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by persistent hyperglycemia. It may be due to impaired insulin secretion, resistance to peripheral actions of insulin, or both.

Is a fever an acute or chronic condition? A fever can be acute or chronic, depending on how long it lasts. Healthcare professionals typically define a fever as chronic if it lasts for more than 14 days .

Pain is a sign that something has happened, that something is wrong. Acute pain happens quickly and goes away when there is no cause, but chronic pain lasts longer than six months and can continue when the injury or illness has been treated.

What's the difference between acute and chronic inflammation? There are two main types of inflammation: acute and chronic. Acute inflammation is sudden and temporary, while chronic inflammation can go on for months or years.

Hypertension is a chronic disease in which self-management plays a key role. In particular, home blood pressure monitoring is important in making a hypertension diagnosis and in monitoring therapy.

What is the primary difference between acute illness and chronic illness quizlet? ›

In chronic illness, symptoms begin suddenly, require ongoing management, and subside quickly. In acute illness, symptoms begin suddenly, progress quickly, and subside quickly.

Broadly speaking, acute conditions occur suddenly, have immediate or rapidly developing symptoms, and are limited in their duration (e.g., the flu). Chronic conditions, on the other hand, are long-lasting. They develop and potentially worsen over time (e.g., Crohn's disease).

Acute illnesses are usually quick and very treatable. Chronic illnesses are long-term and usually require treatment for the rest of your life.

Acute injuries happen suddenly, such as when a person falls, receives a blow, or twists a joint, while chronic injuries usually result from overuse of one area of the body and develop gradually over time.

Acute diseases, if it persists for a long time, can be fatal, otherwise can be treated with certain medications. Common cold, typhoid, jaundice, cholera, and burns, are some of the acute diseases. Chronic diseases include diabetes, cancer, tuberculosis, arthritis, etc.

Pain is a sign that something has happened, that something is wrong. Acute pain happens quickly and goes away when there is no cause, but chronic pain lasts longer than six months and can continue when the injury or illness has been treated.

An acute illness is a health condition that develops quickly and lasts only a short amount of time, such as a few days or weeks. While acute illnesses come on quickly, they often improve once short-term or urgent care is provided. Common causes of acute illnesses include viruses, infections, or injuries.