At some point, you’ll probably need to see a doctor about something. You may have a sore throat, a broken arm or a kid with a high fever. No matter why you need a doctor, it’s important to understand common medical terms.

Ideally, you’ll only need a doctor for preventive care to stay healthy. These regular health checks help find medical issues early when they're easiest to treat. With the Affordable Care Act, most preventive care services are provided at no out-of-pocket costs. Even screenings to check for chronic conditions such as diabetes and asthma are covered.

If you are diagnosed with a chronic disease, a doctor will help you manage it.

What Is a Chronic Disease?
A chronic disease or a chronic illness is a long-lasting health problem. It can be controlled, but not cured. You may know someone who has a chronic disease. Chronic diseases tend to become more common with age, but younger people can also be diagnosed with a chronic disease. 

Examples of chronic disease include:

• Allergies
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Asthma
• Cancer
• Diabetes
• Epilepsy
• Glaucoma
• Heart disease

Talk with your doctor if you think you may have a chronic condition or any ongoing health issue.

Chronic diseases are often found and confirmed with diagnostic testing. These tests can also be used to make sure a person doesn’t have a disease.

Your doctor can help you find out if you need testing. They can also give you a referral, if needed.

Source: About Chronic Diseases,  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2022

Originally published  10/5/2015; Revised 2019, 2022, 2024