Chronic Illness and the Brain

If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with a brain-related chronic illness like depression, Parkinson's disease, or Alzheimer's disease, you may find yourself searching for information and answers to your questions.

You're not alone. These diseases affect millions upon millions of people in the U.S. Their effects are far-reaching, extending beyond those with chronic illnesses to include their families, friends, and colleagues. This is why it's important to address the concerns of people suffering from brain-related diseases as well as those who care about—and for—them.

Chronic, by definition, means long lasting or recurring. Chronic illnesses affecting the body include diabetes, heart disease, and arthritis. Examples of common chronic brain-related health conditions include depression, epilepsy, and stroke.

Some brain disorders, like stroke or head injury, are most commonly the result of damage to brain tissues. Other brain-related disorders are caused by progressive failure and death of nerve cells—this is known as "neurodegeneration," and occurs in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. As we age, our brain becomes more vulnerable to many brain disorders, and may be affected by problems elsewhere in the body.

The physical signs of some chronic illnesses begin gradually, and may not be noticeable for years. Symptoms may be mild or severe, frequent or infrequent, or they may not be evident at all on a day-to-day basis. Because so many factors affect the course of a chronic illness, it may be difficult to predict how we will feel from one day to the next.

As you read on, you will find answers to many of your questions about chronic brain-related illnesses, up-to-date information on the latest research on these diseases, and advice to help people with chronic illnesses and their caregivers.

Learning more about these diseases is important if you—or a loved one—have been diagnosed with, or are concerned about, chronic brain-related illness. As the saying goes, knowledge is power. In other words, understanding how best to cope with illness when it occurs can help you maintain a better quality of life. So let's continue, and learn more about chronic illness and the brain.