Chronic illnesses are those that do not quickly go away, and they can have quite a profound effect on those who they impacted. However, that term is also one that many may not fully understand until they or someone they are close to suffers from one. Then, the sacrifices made and the negative impact on their quality of life become clear. Regardless, in many cases, there is hope for a brighter future.
What is a Chronic Illness Anyway?
For something to be chronic, that means that it either is ongoing or is repeating over and over for an extensive period. As for a chronic illness definition specifically, it is an illness that has occurred, at least intermittently, for a minimum of three months. In many cases, it will continue for years and, potentially, the rest of that person's life, necessitating ongoing care to minimize its effects.
In some circumstances, the intensity of the chronic illness can vary somewhat over time. It can even remiss entirely before flaring back up, sometimes doing that roller coaster ride repeatedly. In others, remission never happens, but the intensity of the symptoms fluctuates from time to time.
The opposite of a chronic illness is an acute one that is temporary in nature, such as the flu and most broken bones.
The Most Common Types of Chronic Illnesses
Some chronic illnesses can be prevented through better nutrition, abstaining from smoking and drinking alcohol, and exercising regularly. Others can happen to everyone, regardless of how healthy or not they are.
Keep in mind that many chronic illnesses are referred to as "invisible," meaning that they still very much affect those who suffer from them, but it may not be apparent to most that this is the case.
Here is some more information about those chronic illness examples.
Depression
Depression is a common example of an invisible chronic illness. Although the situation can be complicated, it usually consists of, at its core, persistent sadness, loss of interest, and hopelessness in life.
Asthma
Asthma results when an individual's airways swell, narrow, and are filled with mucus regularly. Whenever that happens, it may become difficult to breathe, and coughing and wheezing can occur.
IBS
Irritable bowel syndrome results in uncomfortable, oftentimes painful, feelings in the abdomen, while constipation and diarrhea are possible. IBS is sometimes an acute illness instead of a chronic one.
Arthritis
When someone has arthritis, their joints swell, which often results in pain. Related to that is osteoarthritis, which occurs when cartilage at the ends of bones wears down significantly.
PCOS
Polycystic ovarian syndrome is one of the chronic illnesses for which there is no known cure. Sufferers often experience infertility and irregular menstrual periods as their ovaries create excess hormones.
Strategies for Improving Chronic Illness Conditions
The strategies that a functional medicine doctor can help you with depend on the type of chronic illness that you are suffering from. In some cases, a cure is very much possible, and this will be the goal. In others, managing the ongoing pain will be the focus instead.
In any case, steps that you can take yourself that will often result in an improvement or even, potentially, a cessation in symptoms include engaging in physical activity, consuming a healthy diet, getting as much rest as possible, and following any treatment plans that your doctor has recommended for you.
Final Words
Although it can feel overwhelming to suffer from a chronic illness, it is essential to note that just because an illness is chronic, that does not necessarily mean that it will be lifelong. And even if it is lifelong, you can get help to make it easier to handle and to diminish its severity. If you are interested in receiving that assistance and improving your life and are located in or near the Windy City, reach out to a functional medicine doctor in Chicago.
