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Acute
Acute means sudden or severe. Acute symptoms appear, change, or worsen rapidly. It is the opposite of chronic .
Chronic
Chronic refers to something that continues over an extended period of time. A chronic condition is usually long-lasting and does not easily or quick...
References
Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Acute. www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/acute . Accessed January 22, 2017.
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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
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Ruptured intracranial aneurysm - illustration
A ruptured intracranial aneurysm causes intracranial bleeding and is considered very dangerous.
Ruptured intracranial aneurysm
illustration
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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
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Ruptured intracranial aneurysm - illustration
A ruptured intracranial aneurysm causes intracranial bleeding and is considered very dangerous.
Ruptured intracranial aneurysm
illustration
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Acute lymphocytic leukemia
(In-Depth)
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Heart attack and acute coronary syndrome
(In-Depth)
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.
