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- DictionaryA·cute/əˈkyo͞ot/
adjective
- 1. (of a bad, difficult, or unwelcome situation or phenomenon) present or experienced to a severe or intense degree: "an acute housing shortage"
- 2. having or showing a perceptive understanding or insight; shrewd: "an acute awareness of changing fashions"
noun
- 1. short for acute accent
People also ask
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What does acute mean?
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Definition of acute adjective in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.
acute. From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English a‧cute /əˈkjuːt/ adjective 1 problem an acute problem is very serious The housing shortage is more acute than first thought. see thesaurus at serious 2 feeling an acute feeling is very strong acute pain acute embarrassment acute anxiety 3 illness technical an acute illness or disease ...
ACUTE definition: 1. If a bad situation is acute, it causes severe problems or damage: 2. An acute pain or illness…. Learn more.
Definition of acute – Learner’s Dictionary. acute. adjective. uk / əˈkjuːt / us. acute adjective (EXTREME) Add to word list. An acute problem or negative feeling is extreme: There's an acute shortage of medical staff. acute pain. acute anxiety. acute adjective (ANGLE) An acute angle is less than 90 degrees. acute adjective (QUICK TO NOTICE)
- Overview
- Acute and chronic conditions defined
- Acute vs. chronic conditions
- Examples of acute and chronic conditions
- Frequently asked questions
- Summary
Healthcare professionals use various criteria to describe acute and chronic conditions. The two types of conditions have several differences in the way people experience, develop, and receive treatment for them.
Healthcare professionals can classify medical conditions as acute or chronic. Acute conditions often start suddenly and last for a short time, and they can be severe. Chronic conditions last for a long time and come on gradually. The treatments and progression of the two types of conditions can also differ.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 60% of adults in the United States have a chronic disease, and about 40% of adults have two or more.
This article defines acute and chronic conditions, outlines how both types progress, and gives some examples of each type of condition.
Acute conditions develop suddenly and often last for a short time. After experiencing an acute condition, people are likely to return to the way they were beforehand. An acute condition often has a defined cure or treatment.
While there is no single, universal definition of acute conditions, many healthcare professionals define them as lasting anywhere from less than 3 months to 6 months.
Conversely, chronic conditions develop slowly and may affect a person over an extended period. They are usually long lasting. People with chronic conditions are unlikely to return entirely to the way they were before they developed one.
The CDC broadly defines a chronic disease as one that:
•lasts for a year or longer
•requires ongoing medical treatment
Acute and chronic conditions affect people differently.
Examples of acute conditions include:
•appendicitis
•asthma attacks
•broken bones or fractures
•burns
•COVID-19
Is a fever an acute or chronic condition?
A fever can be acute or chronic, depending on how long it lasts. Healthcare professionals typically define a fever as chronic if it lasts for more than 14 days.
Is cancer an acute or chronic condition?
According to the CDC, cancer is a chronic condition.
Which is more severe, acute or chronic?
Certain chronic conditions are the leading causes of fatality and disability in the United States. According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, chronic conditions account for 86% of U.S. healthcare costs.
Acute conditions often begin suddenly, last for a short time, and do not have long-term effects. Chronic conditions typically have a gradual onset, last longer, and have long-term effects.
Chronic health conditions are the most common cause of disability or fatality in the United States and account for the majority of national healthcare costs.
Acute conditions often have a known cause and a cure that a healthcare professional can administer directly, while chronic conditions may have ambiguous causes or symptoms. A person with chronic health conditions may need long-term treatment involving a team of healthcare professionals.
Preventive medications, vaccinations, and other measures may help prevent some acute conditions. People may be able to use lifestyle strategies to prevent or manage many chronic conditions.
1. a. Reacting readily to stimuli or impressions; sensitive: His hearing was unusually acute. b. Keenly perceptive or discerning: an acute critic of music; a critic with acute judgment. See Synonyms at sharp. 2. Extremely sharp or severe; intense: acute pain; acute pleasure. 3.
sharp or severe in effect; intense: acute pain. extremely great or serious; critical: an acute shortage of oil. (of disease) of sudden onset and severe (disting. from chronic ): acute bronchitis. very sharp in intellect, insight, or perception. extremely sensitive: acute hearing. Mathematics. (of an angle) less than 90°.
