Acute vs. chronic 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 asthma attack occurs in the midst of the chronic disease of asthma. Acute conditions, such as a first asthma attack, may lead to a chronic syndrome if untreated.
Review Date: 04/24/2009
Reviewed By: Allen J. Blaivas, DO, Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine
UMDNJ-NJMS, Attending Physician in the Division of Pulmonary,
Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Department of Veterans Affairs,
VA New Jersey Health Care System, East Orange, NJ. Review provided
by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD,
MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
