Exacerbation
Exacerbation
Exacerbation (/ɛksˌæsərˈbeɪʃən/) is a term used in medicine to describe an increase in the severity of a disease or its signs and symptoms. The term is often used in the context of chronic diseases, where an exacerbation is a sudden worsening of the condition.
Etymology
The term "exacerbation" comes from the Latin exacerbare, which means "to make worse". It is composed of ex-, meaning "out of" and acerbare, meaning "to make harsh or bitter".
Related Terms
- Chronic disease: A long-term health condition that may not have a cure. Exacerbations are common in many chronic diseases.
- Remission: A period of time when the symptoms of a disease are reduced or disappear completely. The opposite of an exacerbation.
- Relapse: A return of symptoms after a period of improvement or remission. Similar to an exacerbation, but often used in the context of mental health or addiction.
- Flare-up: Another term for an exacerbation, often used in the context of autoimmune diseases or skin conditions.
- Acute: A term used to describe symptoms or conditions that are severe and sudden in onset. This could describe an exacerbation.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Exacerbation
- Wikipedia's article - Exacerbation
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