What is Chronic Disease

Are you tired all the time?  Do you feel overwhelmed?  Feeling sick?  What is chronic disease and what can we do about it?

What is chronic disease?

Chronic as opposed to acute disease is something that is constant or at least has been occurring for a while.  For example, chronic sinusitis.  Let’s say that you are prone to sinus infections – that is a chronic disease.  If you get sinus infections several times a year, that’s chronic.  But, if you get a sinus infection once in a blue moon, that’s acute.  There are many different types of chronic diseases out there and they can affect us in different ways.  In fact, chronic illness is traumatizing.  

Why all the illness?

In this day and age, with all the healthy food campaigns, consumption of more organic foods – including growing your own food, and decreasing consumption of processed foods, why all the illness?   A big reason for it is stress.  Too much stress on our bodies and minds can lead to chronic issues.  Burnout is a big problem.  As yourself the following:

• Are you overworked?
• Do you have too many responsibilities?
• Are you overwhelmed with the priorities that you have?

If you answered yes to any of these, you could be on your way to some disease.  I don’t mean to scare you but we have a lot on our plates.  It’s hard to manage our time sometimes, especially if we have other people depending on us.

It’s OK

Everyone goes through the stress of life and it’s OK.  It’s hard to balance our lives and place limits on our time.  We all know that we need to do it but it doesn’t always work.  Further, if you feel that other people are better able at handling their lives than you are, I can assure you that you are most likely wrong.

Generally, what I think is happening is that other people may be better at masking how they are managing their lives.  In the world of social media, it has been said that people will only show you the best of themselves.  Of course you don’t want to admit (or show) that you’re struggling and you don’t have to.  Your life is your life and you don’t have to share everything with the world but I do want you to know you’re OK.

Solution

The solution to knowing ‘what is chronic disease’ so that you can stay happy and healthy is hard but easy.  The first step is recognizing you need a break.  When you know you need to slow down, it’s in your mind to do it and you can start taking steps towards that goal.  I’m not saying it’s easy and you’ll be perfect at it but you know when you can’t take anymore.  You know you need to get more rest.  There may even be signs of stress in your skin.

Meditating can be helpful here as can lymph drainage massage.  Find what relaxes YOU – don’t worry about how other people are doing it.  You know what you need.  Work on a hobby to keep depression away.  Stay away from the processed foods and drink plenty of water.  You’ll be well on your way to feeling better.

Stay tuned for more since this month is Mental Health Awareness month.  If you’re constantly asking ‘what is chronic disease’, the tips I’ll be sharing with you can help you feel better.  Learn more about Mental Health Awareness and why mental health should be taught in schools.  It’s very important to be aware of because something acute can turn into something chronic.  We want to catch it before that happens so that you can live a long, happy and healthy life.

Photo credits:  Mohamad Faizal and Golubovy photo credit