What Are Considered Chronic Conditions?
Diseases that last for more than a year and require ongoing medical care or limit activities of daily living can be considered chronic. Among the leading causes of death and disability in the United States are chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. With chronic diseases, patients are afflicted with illnesses that persist for a long time and do not go away. There is no permanent cure for many of these conditions, so patients must learn to live with them rather than find a permanent solution. Conditions such as cardiovascular disease (heart attack and stroke), cancer, diabetes, arthritis, back pain, asthma, and chronic depression fall into this category.
