chronisches

Chronisches is a German adjective meaning chronic, used to describe conditions or processes that persist over a long period, typically months or years, and often with ongoing symptoms. It derives from the Greek chronos, meaning time, combined with the suffix -isch. The term is commonly used in medical and scientific language to indicate long-lasting characteristics rather than short-lived or acute events.

In medicine, chronisch contrasts with akut (acute) conditions. Chronische diseases may be lifelong and progressive, or stable with ongoing management. The term is paired with nouns to denote long-lasting forms, such as chronische Erkrankung, chronische Schmerzen, chronische Entzündung, and similar expressions. Common examples include diabetes mellitus, hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic kidney disease, and many rheumatic or autoimmune conditions. Management typically focuses on long-term care, lifestyle adjustments, regular monitoring, and symptom control, with cure possible only in a subset of cases or not at all.

Beyond clinical use, chronisch appears in research and public health to describe disease trajectories, outcomes, and quality of life measures. It highlights the need for sustained care, patient education, and health-system planning to address prolonged medical needs and associated costs. The term is widespread in German-language medical literature, psychology, and related social sciences, as well as in everyday speech when referring to conditions or problems that persist over time.