CHRONIC DISEASES
A Chronic Disease is a disease (sometime referred to as a condition) which lasts for
3 months or more. Chronic diseases generally cannot be prevented by vaccines
or cured by medication, nor do they just disappear.
As of 1998 eighty-eight percent of Americans over age 65 have at least one chronic
health condition. Health damaging behaviors - particularly tobacco use, lack of physical
activity, and poor eating habits - are major contributors to the leading chronic diseases.
Chronic diseases tend to become more common as we get older. The leading chronic
diseases in developed countries include arthritis, cardiovascular diseases such as heart
attacks and stroke, cancers such as breast and colon cancer, diabetes, epilepsy and
seizures, obesity, and oral health problems. Each of these conditions plague older
adults in the US (and other developed nations).
Most Common Chronic Illness's
Cardiovascular Disease Cancer
Heart Disease Stroke Colorectal Breast
Diabetes Stroke
Type 1 Type 2 Ischemic Lacunar Hemorrhagic
Transient Ischemic Attack
(Also known as TIA, or mini stroke)
Asthma Arthritis
Birth Defects Sexually Transmitted Disease Autism
Chlamydia Gonorrhea
Genital Herpes (Herpes Simplex Virus)
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Revised Aug 11, 2011