Acute and Chronic illnesses: This term is bound to come up throughout one’s life as news reports, doctor’s appointments, and bouts of paranoia come up intermittently over time.
Whether you frequently hear about these two types of illnesses in medical statements, medicine reviews, or social media, there’s no doubt that you may have become curious over them at one point or another. Conversely, you’ve also most likely experienced both these types of illnesses, with some being far more grave and others being nothing more than negligible.
Amid all the talk about acute and chronic illnesses (especially in a time where COVID-19 is still prevalent), there’s one concern over this particular topic that remains: “What is the difference between these two types of illnesses?”
Why it pays to know the difference and how you can set the two apart
Although chronic and acute illnesses may sound like or pertain to the same concept, the reality is that the contrast between them is quite stark when you look further into the details.
Beyond being scientifically-literate to a certain degree, it’s crucial to know the variations between the types of illnesses because of the specific approaches employed when handling them. Whether it’s concerning diagnosing, nursing, consultations, or home cures, knowing their differences can facilitate significant experiences.
If you’ve grown curious over the main contrast between acute and chronic illnesses but don’t know enough to tell them apart, then there’s no need to worry because we’ve got you covered with this detailed guide:
Acute illnesses
When it comes to understanding what makes acute illnesses different from their chronic counterparts, it’s crucial to look at the original meaning of the term acute: “having a sudden onset, sharp rise, and short course.”
Once you take the original term into consideration, it’s safe to say that acute conditions are best defined by their sudden presence, leading to rapidly-developing symptoms that also go away as quickly as they come. This essentially means that this type of sickness is a short-term one that will typically resolve itself in no more than six months.
Specific examples of acute illnesses can include anything from the common cold and the flu to asthma attacks, broken bones, and heart attacks. It is vital to consider, however, that some acute illnesses can quickly progress into chronic ones!
Chronic illnesses
According to Merriam Webster’s Dictionary, the term “chronic” can be defined as an experience of something that is “continuing or occurring again and again for a long time.”
In layman’s terms, chronic illnesses are generally defined as an assortment of stable conditions that develop or potentially worsen over time, making them the condition that most patients fear of having. Contrary to acute illnesses, the type of sickness typically lasts for more than six months and can potentially be present until the end of one’s lifetime and ultimately cause their demise.
Some common types of chronic illnesses include arthritis, cancer, Crohn’s disease, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, and Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
Conclusion
When it comes to understanding the differences between acute and chronic illnesses, it’s crucial to realize that getting familiar with this seemingly-simple concept can help one seek proper care. As the world continues to struggle with a disease that scientists have yet to fully understand, knowing the variance between an acute and chronic illness will help you act accordingly in the long run!
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