Information about chronic diseases, their causes and symptoms. Chronic diseases are diseases with a long-term course, which usually develop slowly and last for a long time, often throughout life.
The most common chronic diseases include diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, cancers, respiratory diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), as well as rheumatic and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease. Their causes are complex and may include genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors. The causes of chronic diseases may include lack of physical activity, unhealthy diet, smoking or excessive alcohol consumption. Chronic diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide and are associated with a large burden on healthcare systems. Regular prevention, lifestyle changes and appropriate treatment can alleviate their course and improve the quality of life of patients.