Most chronic illnesses do not fix themselves and are generally not cured completely. Some can be immediately life-threatening, such as heart disease and stroke. Others linger over time and need intensive management, such as diabetes.

Can chronic disease cured?

Chronic diseases are long-lasting conditions that usually can be controlled but not cured. People living with chronic illnesses often must manage daily symptoms that affect their quality of life, and experience acute health problems and complications that can shorten their life expectancy.

Do chronic illnesses ever go away?

Why can coping with a chronic illness be so difficult? When you have an acute illness such as bronchitis or the flu, you know you'll feel better and be back to normal within a short period of time. This isn't true with a chronic illness. It may never go away and can disrupt your life in a number of ways.