|  | Conditions Treatments | Diseases

Signs & Symptoms of Chronic Disease

Chronic disease is a catch-all phrase for a wide range on illnesses and conditions. Essentially, "chronic" means the disease is ongoing or recurring. Chronic diseases run a wide gamut from arthritis to diabetes to intestinal problems to mental illness. Though the kind of chronic disease defines the exact signs and symptoms, there are several symptoms that are common to chronic illnesses.

  1. Pain

    • Pain is a common symptom in many chronic diseases. People experiencing illnesses such as arthritis, lupus and chronic fatigue syndrome experience joint pain. People with irritable bowel syndrome experience abdominal cramping and pain. Diabetes can cause nerve pain, a condition called diabetic neuropathy. Headaches are a hallmark of some chronic illnesses, including depression and chronic fatigue syndrome.

    Fatigue

    • Fatigue is another symptom common to many chronic illnesses. Those with chronic heart and lung conditions often experience fatigue. Fatigue, of course, is the hallmark symptom of chronic fatigue syndrome, appearing in more than 90 percent of people experiencing the condition, according to The Institute for Molecular Medicine. Fatigue is also a common symptom in people with lupus, diabetes or depression.

    Weight Changes

    • Many chronic illnesses can cause either weight gain or weight loss. This is often due to hormone imbalances or problems with certain glands or organs in the body. People with chronic gastrointestinal diseases such as Crohn's disease or inflammatory bowel disease often lose weight due to a loss of appetite and chronic diarrhea. Weight loss is also one of the main symptoms of diabetes. Hypothyroidism, which results from an underactive thyroid gland, often causes weight gain. Depression, according to the Mayo Clinic, can cause either weight gain or weight loss.

    Depression

    • Though depression itself is classified as a chronic illness, it is also a symptom of many chronic illnesses. The Mayo Clinic reports that depression is a symptom of hypothyroidism and lupus. The Institute for Molecular Medicine shows that depression is the second most common symptom of chronic fatigue syndrome, reported by around 90 percent of people with the condition.

Diseases - Related Articles