Acute vs Chronic illness Flashcards
(15 cards)
What is acute illness?
A curable illness that comes on suddenly with an identifiable cause
- Bacteria, viruses, fungi
What is chronic illness?
An illness that is long-lasting or constantly recurring, it is rare for chronic illnesses to be completely cured
-Heart disease, cancer, asthma
What are the differences between acute and chronic illnesses?
Acute: sudden arrival, not sick for long, identifiable, treatable
Chronic: slow symptoms, stays for long term, usually unable to be fully cured,
What are the factors that can cause chronic illness to develop?
-Genetics/epigenetics -lifestyle (stress, diet, smoking, etc), infections, toxins and environmental factors
What are examples of acute illness?
-Fever -chicken pox -strep throat -pneumonia -malaria -ear infections -influenza -rhinovirus
What are examples of chronic illness?
-Cancers -diabetes 1 & 2 -asthma -heart disease -tourette’s -HPV -HIV/AIDS -Herpes
What can you do to adjust to your illness?
-Moderate pace -Regular schedule -Enough sleep -Exercise
What can you change for your illness?
-Diet -managing stress -medications, vitamins, or supplements
What therapies can you take?
Physical: massage, acupuncture, physiotherapy, chiropractic care
Mental: therapy, tapping, meditation, gratitude journaling
What increased risk does chronic illness pose?
Depression, which may be caused by a disruption in the neurochemistry. Can be helped with medical treatment
What are the things that can help you as a caregiver?
- accept that the chronic illness wont go away
- Focus on activities and other person’s feelings
- Be available and listen, focus on positive change
- do productive, fun activities to distract
- encourage independence and “normal” family life
- Take care of urself, get help when needed look for organizations that offer support for caregivers
What is rheumatoid arthritis?
Inflammation around the body with pain in the joints
symp: -tender, warm, swollen joints -joint stiffness -damaged or deformed joints -viral infections
effects: hands, wrists, feet, ankles, shoulders and elbows (+the other joints)
treatments: conventional DMARDS, drugs used to slow
What is multiple sclerosis?
when the immune system attacks the brain and spinal cord
symp: -vision loss in 1 eye -loss of power in arm, legs, or numbness in legs -walking difficulties -depression
effects: brain and spinal cord (central nervous system)
treatments: injectable, oral, and infusion medicines (interfering the attack)
What is asthma?
inflammation and muscle tightening around the airways, causing breathing problems
symp: -coughing -chest tightness -shortness of breath -wheezing
effects: lungs
treatment: Inhalers or tablets and etc
What is type 1 diabetes?
when pancreatic cells are destroyed by the body’s immune system
symp: -sudden thirst -urinating a lot -hunger -losing weight without trying
effects: insulin-making cells of the pancreas
treatments: glucose monitor (blood levels), insulin pump, and eating healthy
