CHRONIC DISEASES
A chronic disease is something that persists for a long time. A chronic disease is one
lasting 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 65 years of age 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 disease such as heart
attacks and stroke, cancer 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
Obesity mini stroke)
Epilepsy Asthma Arthritis
Birth Defects Sexually Transmitted Disease Autism
Chlamydia Gonorrhea
Genital Herpes (Herpes Simplex Virus)
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