Living with a Chronic Health Condition Learning you have a
chronic disease is frightening. Depending on what it is and the
treatment options available, you may feel panicked or sad. But
learning about your condition and doing your best to manage it
can help you live a less fearful and more expansive life.
Understanding chronic conditions Unlike acute illnesses such as
sore throats, a cold, or the flu, which are largely treatable
and short in duration, chronic conditions can last for months,
years, or a lifetime. Diseases such as arthritis, asthma,
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, heart disease,
high blood pressure, hepatitis C, AIDS, and certain cancers are
some familiar chronic illnesses. Some lesser known ones include
chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and Parkinson's disease.
How a person is affected by a chronic illness depends on the
illness, how severe or advanced it is, and how he or she
responds to treatment. The course of a chronic illness also can
be affected by heredity, age, s