Acute vs Chronic Illnesses

Pre Trajectory = the onset of symptoms related to chronic conditions Trajectory = the risk for chronic conditions due to genetic factors or lifestyle behaviors Stable Phase = characterized by remission and exacerbation of symptoms Unstable Phase = the control of illness symptoms

Management is more than treating medical problems = Illness control requires treatment compliance Affects the whole family = Management is the responsibility of people with chronic disorders and their family Management is a collaborative process = Is living with uncertainty May raise difficult ethical issues = Management is expensive

Acute illness = Is a long disease course and may be incurable Chronic Illness = Is curable and has a short disease course Common colds = Examples: Diabetes Cancer Asthma Influenza or “flu” = Examples: Influenza or “flu”

Acute Phase = the control of illness symptoms Crisis Phase = are severe or unrelieved symptoms needing hospitalization and bed rest Comeback Phase = are critical or life-threatening situation that require emergency treatment Unstable Phase = the gradual recovery and return to an acceptable way of life

Management is a process of discovery = Is living with uncertainty Illness control requires treatment compliance = Management is more than treating medical problems Affects the whole family = Management is the responsibility of people with chronic disorders and their family May raise difficult ethical issues = Management is expensive

Trajectory = the onset of symptoms related to chronic conditions Pre Trajectory = the risk for chronic conditions due to genetic factors or lifestyle behaviors Stable Phase = characterized by remission and exacerbation of symptoms Unstable Phase = the control of illness symptoms

Acute illness = May or may not require treatment by health care provider Chronic Illness = Symptoms appear rapidly but lessen quickly Common colds = Symptoms require long term management Influenza or “flu” = Is a long disease course and may be incurable

Crisis Phase = are critical or life-threatening situation that require emergency treatment Comeback Phase = the gradual recovery and return to an acceptable way of life Acute Phase = are severe or unrelieved symptoms needing hospitalization and bed rest Unstable Phase = characterized by remission and exacerbation of symptoms

Management is expensive = May raise difficult ethical issues Affects the whole family = Management is the responsibility of people with chronic disorders and their family Management is a collaborative process = Illness control requires treatment compliance Is living with uncertainty = Management is more than treating medical problems

Stable Phase = the control of illness symptoms Trajectory = the onset of symptoms related to chronic conditions Unstable Phase = characterized by remission and exacerbation of symptoms Pre Trajectory = the risk for chronic conditions due to genetic factors or lifestyle behaviors