Acute

Acute means sudden. Acute symptoms appear, change, or worsen rapidly. It is the opposite of chronic.

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References

Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Acute. www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/acute. Accessed January 17, 2023.

Acute vs. chronic conditions - illustration
Acute conditions are severe and sudden in onset. This could describe anything from a broken bone to an asthma attack. A chronic condition, by contrast is a long-developing syndrome, such as osteoporosis or asthma. Note that osteoporosis, a chronic condition, may cause a broken bone, an acute condition. An acute asthma attack occurs in the midst of the chronic disease of asthma. Acute conditions, such as a first asthma attack, may lead to a chronic syndrome if untreated.
Acute vs. chronic conditions
illustration
Ruptured intracranial aneurysm - illustration
A ruptured intracranial aneurysm causes intracranial bleeding and is considered very dangerous.
Ruptured intracranial aneurysm
illustration

Acute vs. chronic conditions - illustration
Acute conditions are severe and sudden in onset. This could describe anything from a broken bone to an asthma attack. A chronic condition, by contrast is a long-developing syndrome, such as osteoporosis or asthma. Note that osteoporosis, a chronic condition, may cause a broken bone, an acute condition. An acute asthma attack occurs in the midst of the chronic disease of asthma. Acute conditions, such as a first asthma attack, may lead to a chronic syndrome if untreated.
Acute vs. chronic conditions
illustration
Ruptured intracranial aneurysm - illustration
A ruptured intracranial aneurysm causes intracranial bleeding and is considered very dangerous.
Ruptured intracranial aneurysm
illustration

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Tests for Acute

Review Date: 10/20/2022

Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Clinical Professor, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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Health Library

Acute

Chronic

References

Acute vs. chronic conditions - illustration

Acute vs. chronic conditions

Ruptured intracranial aneurysm - illustration

Ruptured intracranial aneurysm

Acute vs. chronic conditions - illustration

Acute vs. chronic conditions

Ruptured intracranial aneurysm - illustration

Ruptured intracranial aneurysm

A Closer Look

Talking to your MD

Self Care

Tests for Acute

Health Library

Acute

Chronic

References

Acute vs. chronic conditions - illustration

Acute vs. chronic conditions

Ruptured intracranial aneurysm - illustration

Ruptured intracranial aneurysm

Acute vs. chronic conditions - illustration

Acute vs. chronic conditions

Ruptured intracranial aneurysm - illustration

Ruptured intracranial aneurysm

A Closer Look

Talking to your MD

Self Care

Tests for Acute

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