Acute or chronic? What's the difference?

Marcia Spear1

  • 1Department of Plastic Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA. marcia.spear@vanderbilt.edu

Summary

Understanding the distinct healing processes of acute versus chronic wounds is crucial for effective wound care management. This knowledge empowers practitioners to tailor treatment plans, optimize healing, and manage patient expectations.

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Acute Pancreatitis I: Introduction01:27

Acute Pancreatitis I: Introduction

Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas, an organ located behind the stomach. It can be either acute or chronic.
Acute pancreatitis is characterized by rapid inflammation of the pancreas, often caused by factors like gallstone blockage or excessive alcohol consumption. Chronic pancreatitis, on the other hand, is a slow, progressive inflammation that may result from long-term alcohol abuse, obstructions in the pancreatic duct, or genetic factors.
The causes of acute pancreatitis include:
Acute Pancreatitis I: Introduction01:25

Acute Pancreatitis I: Introduction

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Chronic inflammation is a prolonged, dysregulated immune response that persists for weeks to years when the inciting stimulus is difficult to eradicate or when self‑antigens drive ongoing reactivity. Morphologically, it is defined by mononuclear cell infiltration, progressive tissue destruction, and concurrent attempts at healing via angiogenesis and fibrosis. Compared with acute inflammation, edema is less prominent while cellular infiltration predominates; triggers include persistent...
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Chronic Pharyngitis01:23

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Etiology
It often arises from persistent viral or bacterial infections affecting sinuses and tonsils.
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