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Acute

 

Acute means sudden or severe. Acute symptoms appear, change, or worsen rapidly. It is the opposite of chronic .

 

References

Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Acute. www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/acute . Accessed January 22, 2017.

 
  • Acute vs. chronic conditions - illustration

    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.

    Acute vs. chronic conditions

    illustration

  • Ruptured intracranial aneurysm - illustration

    A ruptured intracranial aneurysm causes intracranial bleeding and is considered very dangerous.

    Ruptured intracranial aneurysm

    illustration

    • Acute vs. chronic conditions - illustration

      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.

      Acute vs. chronic conditions

      illustration

    • Ruptured intracranial aneurysm - illustration

      A ruptured intracranial aneurysm causes intracranial bleeding and is considered very dangerous.

      Ruptured intracranial aneurysm

      illustration

    A Closer Look

     

    Talking to your MD

     

      Self Care

       

        Tests for Acute

         

           

          Review Date: 12/10/2016

          Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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