What Is a Chronic Illness?

What Is a Chronic Illness?

A chronic illness is a long-term health condition that doesn’t simply go away with time or short-term treatment. It requires ongoing care and thoughtful management to keep symptoms under control. These symptoms can return or flare up over the course of a year or more, which makes regular support from your primary care physician an important part of your care. And while the physical challenges of chronic illness are significant, the emotional toll can be just as real — often bringing feelings of stress, anxiety or even depression that deserve just as much attention and care.

We’re here to explain what to know about chronic illnesses, including what they are, how they’re diagnosed and how our care team at AdventHealth Primary Care+ can support you with compassionate, ongoing support, so you can feel your best physically, mentally and spiritually.

What "Chronic" Means in Medicine

When a health condition is referred to as "chronic," that means it:

• Develops gradually
• Lasts for more than six months
• Is most likely incurable and will require lifelong management

Understanding Chronic Illnesses and Conditions

A chronic disease is a health condition that lasts six months or longer. Managing it often means ongoing care, where your primary care physician can partner with you to find the right mix of medications and lifestyle changes to help you feel your best.

In most cases, chronic conditions cannot be "cured" and can have a major impact on a person's life, both physically and emotionally. But if you’ve been diagnosed with a chronic illness, take heart that you’re in good company, as millions of Americans manage chronic conditions every day. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported in 2023 that more than 76% of people in the U.S. are living with at least one chronic condition.

Common Examples of Chronic Illnesses

Chronic illnesses can show up in many ways, affecting different systems throughout the body. Some of the most common conditions include:

Cardiovascular System:

• Arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat)
• Cardiovascular disease
• Congenital heart disease
• Coronary artery disease
• Heart failure
• High blood pressure (hypertension)

Endocrine System:

• Diabetes (both Type 1 and Type 2)
• Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

Excretory System:

• Chronic kidney disease
• Enlarged prostate
• Kidney stones
• Urinary incontinence

Gastrointestinal System:

• Celiac disease
• Crohn's disease
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Pancreatitis
• Ulcerative colitis

Hematological System:

• Anemia
• Blood clotting disorders
• Leukemia
• Lymphoma
• Sickle cell disease

Immune System:

• Eczema
• Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
• Lupus
• Rheumatoid arthritis

Mental Health:

• Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
• Persistent depressive disorder (PDD)
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Social anxiety disorder

Musculoskeletal System:

• Arthritis
• Chronic back pain
• Fibromyalgia
• Osteoporosis

Nervous System:

• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Dementia
• Epilepsy
• Migraine
• Multiple sclerosis
• Parkinson's disease

Respiratory System:

• Asthma
• Chronic bronchitis
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Cystic fibrosis
• Sleep apnea

Symptoms and Impact of Chronic Illnesses

Because every chronic condition affects the body differently, symptoms can vary from person to person. Still, many people living with a chronic illness experience some of the following:

• Changes in memory, focus or concentration
• Ongoing tiredness or low energy (fatigue)
• Pain or discomfort in different parts of the body
• Swelling or inflammation
• Shifts in mood, including feelings of anxiety or depression
• Unexpected weight gain or loss

Chronic conditions can also be social determinants, meaning they influence how you interact with others. Being constantly tired or in pain can make it hard to want to engage with family and friends. And it can be difficult for people in your life to understand what you're going through and feeling, which can be frustrating and depressing.

That’s why our support goes beyond just treating your physical symptoms. Your health care providers can help you manage your condition with medication management, lifestyle adjustments and mental health support. Whatever you need, your AdventHealth Primary Care+ team is here to help.

Chronic Illness Causes and Risk Factors

Chronic illnesses can develop for many reasons, and often it’s a mix of factors that play a role.

Family History and Genetics

Sometimes, chronic conditions run in the family. In fact, about 10% of all chronic diseases are linked to genetics.

Age and Gender

As we get older, the body naturally goes through wear and tear, which can make us more vulnerable to chronic illness. Gender can also influence risk. For example, women are more likely to develop osteoporosis, migraines and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), while men face higher risks for conditions like COPD and Type 2 diabetes.

Biological Risk Factors

Certain changes within the body can increase the chances of developing a chronic disease, such as:

• Chronic inflammation
• High blood glucose (hyperglycemia)
• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• High cholesterol
• Obesity

Lifestyle and Environmental Risk Factors

Daily habits and surroundings also play a big role in long-term health. Some factors that may raise the risk of chronic conditions include:

• Poor nutrition
• Lack of physical activity or a sedentary lifestyle
• Smoking
• Excessive alcohol use
• Unhealthy sleep patterns
• Exposure to chemicals, such as pesticides
• Air or water pollution

However, even if you already have risk factors, many of these risks can be lowered by making healthier lifestyle choices. Your primary care provider can help guide you with chronic disease prevention strategies to reduce your risk and support your overall well-being.

Diagnosing Chronic Conditions

Diagnosing a chronic condition usually begins with a visit to your primary care provider. This is your opportunity to share your symptoms, discuss your health concerns and answer questions that help your doctor get a full picture of what’s going on.

Because every chronic condition is unique, the diagnostic process can vary. Most diagnoses involve a combination of steps, such as:

• Reviewing your family medical history
• Conducting imaging tests like CT scans or MRIs
• Running lab tests and blood work
• Discussing your personal medical history

Your primary care provider will often be your main partner in managing your chronic condition, helping with regular checkups, symptom monitoring and medication management.

In some cases, your provider may recommend seeing a specialist for more specific care. For example:

• An endocrinologist for diabetes
• A pulmonologist for COPD
• A pain specialist for chronic back pain

Your primary care provider and any specialists you see will work together to coordinate your care, making sure you have the guidance and treatment you need to manage your condition and maintain your quality of life.

Can Chronic Illnesses Be Cured?

One of the first questions people often ask when learning about chronic illnesses is whether they can be cured.

In most cases, chronic conditions do not have a cure and may last a lifetime. There are also no vaccines for most of these diseases.

The good news is that chronic illnesses are treatable and manageable. With the right care, you can find relief from symptoms, and in some cases, your condition may go into remission, meaning the signs of the disease are greatly reduced.

It’s important to remember that remission is not the same as a cure. The main goal of managing a chronic illness is to maintain your health, improve your quality of life and prevent complications, so you can continue living life to the fullest.

Managing Chronic Diseases

Chronic disease management refers to the ongoing medical care you receive from your primary care provider and any specialists to help monitor your condition and improve its symptoms. Interventions used in chronic disease management include:

• Regular physical exams
• Lifestyle changes
• Medication management
• Monitoring symptoms for complications
• Patient and family education
• Treatment plans tailored to your unique needs

The goals of chronic disease management are to:

• Consistently monitor the disease
• Effectively manage your medications
• Empower you to take charge of your health
• Ensure continuity of care through your entire health care team
• Improve your wellness and quality of life
• Prevent complications or disease progression
• Promote a healthy lifestyle
• Reduce health care costs and health system burden

Benefits of Chronic Disease Management Programs

Unlike the flu or an ear infection, chronic diseases require a whole-team approach in managing the condition, and that’s the level of care and attention to detail that you can expect from our team. Through chronic disease management services, our patients can benefit from:

• Better control over symptoms
• Excellent communication between patients and everyone on their health care team
• Fewer hospital visits and emergencies
• Improved mental and emotional well-being
• Increased patient confidence and empowerment
• Independence through self-management skills
• Lower overall health care costs
• Nutrition and diet support and long-term planning

Getting the Care You Need for a Chronic Condition

Being diagnosed with a chronic condition can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t define who you are. You’re still the same person you’ve always been, just with a little extra support to help you manage your health and navigate daily living.

If you or a family member is wondering if you have a chronic condition, seeking care early can make a big difference. Building a trusted health care team ensures you have guidance, support and resources every step of the way.

To learn more about how we care for chronic illnesses and our other primary care services at AdventHealth Primary Care+, schedule an appointment today. We’re here to support you and your family with compassionate primary care for a lifetime.