Acute and chronic diseases, how to differentiate them?

You may often hear the terms acute illness and chronic illness. Even though they are often familiar with this title, many people don't know what the difference is, even thinking they are the same thing. Even though acute and chronic diseases are far different, you know. So, how do you tell the difference? Check out the complete information below.

The difference between acute and chronic diseases

Basically, almost all diseases can be classified as acute and chronic diseases. For example, acute and chronic gastritis, acute asthma and chronic asthma, to acute fractures and chronic fractures.

It's just that, there are several differences between acute and chronic diseases that you must pay attention to so you don't get mishandled. Here's how to tell the difference.

1. Duration of illness

The main difference between acute and chronic disease can be seen in the duration of the disease. A disease can be classified as a chronic disease if it occurs for more than 6 months. Meanwhile, acute illnesses usually heal quickly in less than 6 months.

2. The severity

Although both indicate a severe condition, acute illness usually occurs in a relatively short period of time or takes the form of a rapid onset of disease.

Meanwhile, a disease is said to be chronic if it has been suffered for a long time or develops slowly. For this reason, chronic diseases are usually difficult to diagnose and treat.

For example, osteoporosis is a chronic disease because this disease develops slowly. If not treated immediately, severe osteoporosis can cause fractures at any time. Well, this fracture is what we call an acute disease, because it happens so fast and suddenly.

Likewise with asthma attacks. Acute asthma attacks can occur in the midst of chronic asthma. On the other hand, an asthma attack that occurs suddenly can develop into chronic asthma if not treated immediately.

3. How to handle

Acute and chronic diseases also have differences in terms of treatment. Reporting from Very Well Health, a disease is said to be chronic if the chance of recovery tends to be small or even hopeless. As a result, the treatment given was only limited to reducing the pain.

Diabetes, for example, is a chronic disease because it cannot be completely cured. The causes also vary, ranging from heredity, unhealthy diet, lack of exercise, and so on.

The number of diabetes triggers is what makes this disease difficult to cure completely. But don't worry, chronic diseases like diabetes can still be treated regularly to reduce pain and prevent it from getting worse.

Acute disease can develop into chronic disease, and vice versa

In fact, acute illness may develop into chronic, and vice versa. As pointed out earlier, an acute asthma attack that occurs suddenly can turn into chronic asthma if not treated immediately. As a result, you can have asthma for life.

Vice versa, for those of you who have chronic asthma, you can also experience acute asthma attacks at any time. This shows that acute and chronic conditions in the disease can occur mutually, aka interrelated.

Even so, this does not mean you have no hope of recovery if you have chronic disease. Take the case of type 2 diabetes, you can reduce the severity of diabetes symptoms by adopting a healthy lifestyle.

For example, by controlling weight, adjusting diet, and diligent exercise. Although they do not really cure diabetes, at least all of these methods can make chronic diabetes conditions milder.