What is a Chronic Illness?

What is a Chronic Illness?

A Chronic Illness is an illness that lasts three months or longer.

“Chronic Disease” and “Chronic Illness” are terms that are often used interchangeably. Colloquialism would say that that’s ok, however, there are times when it is important to differentiate between the two. For purposes of this post, we will use the term “Chronic Illness” as one that encapsulates all illnesses, including diseases that last three months or longer.

Note that if you are approaching a healthcare professional about suspected illness, incorrectly using the word “disease” may delegitimatize your research. Be specific about your symptoms and pay mind to the difference in verbiage when approaching potential diagnoses.

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Facts about Chronic Illnesses according to the National Health Council:

• 157 million people in the US are expected to be affected in 2020
• 81 of the 157 million people suffer from multiple conditions
• 40 of the 157 million people are limited in their usual activities
• 75% of all healthcare costs are due to chronic conditions

Let’s break that down. Almost half of Americans are living with a Chronic Illness. That means you definitely know someone who is going through adversity caused by an illness. Your colleagues, baristas, family members, etc. have a one in two chance of having been sick for at least the past three months.

If this surprises you, then you might not have previously known that many chronic conditions do not have visible attributes. They are invisible on a day-to-day basis, and sometimes they are even invisible to traditional labs. Invisible Illnesses can cause further feelings of isolation in a sick individual who might have to go out of their way to explain what they are going through. 

 Photo by Michał Parzuchowski on Unsplash

About a quarter of Americans are living with multiple Chronic Illnesses. Keep in mind that only 14% of Americans work in healthcare. The majority of patients have to do extensive research outside their profession to understand what their body is going through. (Not to mention working in healthcare doesn’t automatically give you a leg up on knowing your specific condition.) Having more than one illness requires extra energy to find answers. 

Multiple illnesses often mean multiple specialists, prescriptions, and supplements. And this is before having to address normal life occurrences such as accidents, seasonal flu, etc. People living with multiple Chronic Illnesses must be organized to manage all their conditions. 

More than 1 in 10 Americans are limited in their usual activities because of Chronic Illnesses. Sometimes this means not being able to work, sometimes it means not being capable of doing physical activity, and sometimes it simply means not being able to participate in things that used to bring them joy.

 

So why aren’t more people talking about this?

To some degree, being sick has been normalized by society. We push through, sometimes not even realizing how long we’ve had symptoms. We chalk it up to having a bad night's sleep, eating something funny, or being overworked. Women often think symptoms are caused by regular menstruation.

Furthermore, we compare. Some Chronic Illnesses can be fatal, while others might be bothersome but don’t imply immediate danger. The former may elicit immediate concern and sympathy, while the latter may bring about questions of validity. 

Lastly, the research hasn’t caught up. For all the incredible advances researchers have made in the medical field, there is still a long way to go. New illnesses are being recognized, which is meaningful and productive going forward, but it also means that current medical professionals may not have learned about a particular illness while in medical school. However well-intentioned they may be, they may not have the ability to diagnose and treat newly named illnesses. 

What does it all mean, and what can you do?

While many ongoing Chronic Illnesses are not life-threatening, that does not mean they don't take a toll on the body. Whether you are experiencing a Chronic Illness, or you are considering another person who may be, it is important to acknowledge that having any ailment, no matter its severity, prohibits a person from participating in life at optimal capacity. Of course, that does not mean people experiencing Chronic Illnesses cannot lead full and meaningful lives, but it does mean that it takes a little extra work sometimes.

Knowing this, we ask that you be kind and forgive those going through Chronic Illnesses, no matter where they fall on the spectrum. That means being kind to yourself and also being kind to others, now knowing there is a chance they carry the burden of a prolonged illness, even though you might not be able to see it.

Photo by inaRow

Below you'll find a running list of ongoing, Chronic Illnesses:

• Alzheimer Disease
• Anxiety
• Asthma
• Autoimmune Diseases (including Addison's Disease, Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, Lupus, Multiple Sclerosis, Rheumatoid Arthritis)
• Bipolar Disorder
• Cancer
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
• Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
• Crohn's Disease
• Cystic Fibrosis
• Dementia
• Depression
• Diabetes
• Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS)
• Endometriosis
• Epilepsy
• Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF)
• Fibromyalgia
• Heart Disease
• Human Immunodeficiency Virus/ Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS)
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) 
• Lyme Disease
• Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome (MALS)
• Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS)
• Migraines
• Parkinson's Disease
• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS)
• Schizophrenia