There are two classifications for medical conditions—acute and chronic. The former pertains to a sickness perceived as severe, while the latter points to recurring infections. Often interchanged by people, there is a lot to learn about the types of medical conditions and their differences. But if they’re both identifiers for medical conditions, how do they differ from each other?
1. Causes
A medical condition is classified as chronic if it has symptoms lasting longer than three months. The underlying cause for a chronic condition is usually an illness and not just a one-time event. Chronic medical conditions are generally asymptomatic but become noticeable over time. Often, they may be treatable with medication, therapy, or surgery.
Acute medical conditions, on the other hand, are the opposite. They’re the sudden onset of new symptoms that are often not treatable and require immediate attention. Acute medical conditions are commonly due to accidents and can get treatment in the hospital or doctor’s offices. Seizures, heart attacks, and broken bones are the most common acute medical conditions.
2. Symptoms
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, acute medical conditions usually present specific symptoms. A person with a sudden onset of symptoms usually has a fever, headache, muscle pain, or other symptoms. For instance, a person who has experienced a heart attack might experience it suddenly with severe chest pain, nausea, and palpitations.
Meanwhile, chronic medical conditions are often long-term illnesses with no specific symptoms easily recognized. It may be difficult to identify signs of a chronic medical condition because they are often vague and non-specific. Examples of chronic medical conditions include heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and obesity.
3. Treatment
In both cases, chronic and acute medical conditions, it is vital that the patient sees an expert who can determine the existence of the medical condition. Doctors can also conduct tests to identify the cause of the symptoms. The treatment of chronic medical conditions is different from acute ones. For example, cancer treatment is not the same as treatment for a heart attack. While cancer treatment involves chemotherapy and radiation, heart attack treatment requires the use of nitroglycerine and stenting.
4. Prevention
The prevention of acute medical conditions is quick and easy. For instance, one can prevent a heart attack by reducing blood pressure and cholesterol. Meanwhile, the prevention of chronic medical conditions is more complicated because they are often due to the patient’s habit. For instance, a person suffering from obesity can avoid additional weight gain by increasing their level of physical activity daily.
In some cases, the treatment of chronic medical conditions may be easier than preventing them. For example, the treatment of diabetes may be easier than the prevention of it. If a person has diabetes, preventing additional health problems is necessary.
5. Duration
The duration of an acute medical condition is different from a chronic medical condition. Acute medical conditions are temporary, and they often require emergency intervention. These conditions should get treated as soon as possible to risk further complications. Meanwhile, chronic medical conditions are long-term illnesses and are often associated with the person’s job.
Getting the proper treatment for chronic and acute medical conditions is essential to avoid further complications. If you or a loved one is feeling unwell, it’s best to schedule an appointment with a healthcare professional.
Conclusion
The difference between chronic and acute medical conditions is that the former has prolonged and recurring symptoms while the latter is a one-time event. Chronic medical conditions are often associated with long-term habits, while accidents usually cause acute medical conditions.
Moreover, acute medical conditions usually present sudden symptoms, while chronic medical conditions don’t. For this reason, it’s essential to seek treatment for chronic medical conditions as soon as possible to avoid further complications. If a medical condition does not get the proper treatment, it might lead to more severe health problems.
Family Medicine and Wellness offer acute medical care in Troy, helping families recover from various medical conditions. We can detect early signs of diseases and disorders through our annual health exams and potentially get ahead of them. If you’re looking for a family medicine doctor near you, book an appointment through our website today.
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