Difference Between Acute and Chronic

Acute vs Chronic
 

As both acute and chronic are used in the field of medicine very often, it is very useful to identify and understand the difference between acute and chronic. In medical terms, ‘acute’ refers to sudden onset disease which lasts for short duration and severe in nature, whereas Chronic illness lasts for months, usually, more than three months. Chronic illness can be a continuation of an acute illness, when an acute illness was not resolved. As words purely in a languages perspective, acute is used as an adjective as well as a noun. Chronic, on the other hand, is used as an adjective only.

What does Acute mean?

If we first of all consider acute just as a noun, the Oxford dictionary says that is the short for acute accent. That definition is relevant to linguistics and has no medical value. However, acute as an adjective can mean “(Of an unpleasant or unwelcome situation or phenomenon) present or experienced to a severe or intense degree.” Examples for such a meaning according to the Oxford dictionary are,

An acute housing shortage.

The problem is acute and getting worse.

Nevertheless, in Medicine, acute is the word used to refer to the sudden onset of a disease that lasts for a short duration. The duration may vary from hours to days. Most of the time acute illnesses are severe in nature. Acute illness may subside or can continue as a chronic illness. The word sub-acute is also used in medicine (Subacute bacterial endocarditis). Some diseases have only acute conditions (Myocardial infarction i.e. Heart attack). Some have acute and chronic conditions (Ex Bronchial Asthma).

There are acute conditions that are life threatening. Example ruptured ectopic pregnancy, acute myocardial infarction, acute respiratory distress, Diabetic ketoacidosis, acute severe asthma, perforated peptic ulcer disease. These conditions need immediate attention to save the life!

In general, patient with acute illness seeks medical advice as the symptoms, usually, are severe in nature.

What does Chronic mean?

Definition for chronic according to the Oxford dictionary is, “(Of an illness) persisting for a long time or constantly recurring.” It is a word that is often contrasted with acute. Apart from this medical meaning of chronic, the word is also used to indicate a person, who has a bad habit. For example,

She is a chronic liar.

Chronic illness means the illness lasts for months, usually, more than three months. Chronic illness can be a continuation of an acute illness, when an acute illness is not resolved. Chronic illness can be a gradual onset and a slow progressive disease. (Ex: Chronic osteoarthritis).

Diabetes mellitus, Hypertension are the common diseases that need lifelong treatment. In other words, they are chronic diseases with chronic treatment. Bronchial asthma may be a chronic disease but needs treatment continuously or when the symptoms get worse (acute exacerbation).

In chronic diseases, there is a tendency of neglecting symptoms as they are mild or asymptomatic.

What is the difference between Acute and Chronic?

• Acute is used as an adjective as well as a noun. Chronic is used only as an adjective.

• Both have several other meanings other than the medical usage.

• In Medicine, acute is the word used to refer to the sudden onset of a disease that lasts for a short duration. Chronic illness means the illness lasts for months, usually, more than three months.

• Chronic illness can be a continuation of an acute illness, when an acute illness is not resolved.

• In general, patient with acute illness seeks medical advice as the symptoms, usually, are severe in nature. In chronic diseases, there is a tendency of neglecting symptoms as they are mild or asymptomatic.

Finally, the words acute and chronic are based on the time frame.

Further Reading:

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