January 29, 2025
Acute v’s Chronic – What is the difference?
by Sinéad Hurley
It is very important to know the difference between acute and chronic prescribing. So here I will explain both and then it should be obvious how they differ.
Definition: Short-lived illnesses that come on suddenly and usually resolve within a relatively short period.
In acute prescribing we are usually treating an ailment that if untreated would go away of its own accord. Acute conditions often appear suddenly and last for a short time. Acute conditions will produce easily identified symptoms.
Examples: Colds, flu, fevers, injuries, food poisoning, sore throats, ear infections, etc.
Homeopathic Approach:
Remedies are chosen based on the presenting symptoms.
Often, a higher potency (e.g., 30C, 200C) is used, and doses are given more frequently until improvement is seen.
Once the illness passes, no further treatment is needed.
The body’s natural defenses, supported by the remedy, overcome the issue.
So if we take an example an earache– looking for an acute remedy for an earache – we are looking at things like,
– Which ear is affect,
– Was the earache trigger by something e.g going swimming, being out in the cold.
– What makes the earache better or what makes it worse (heat, cold etc)
– Is the ear red, discharging, hot etc.
– Are there any other symptoms with this earache eg face pain, fever, sore throat etc.
Here you will see we are focused on the ear condition.
Chronic Conditions
Definition: Long-standing health issues that develop gradually or keep recurring over time. These often have deeper-rooted causes.
Examples: Allergies, eczema, asthma, migraines, autoimmune conditions, anxiety, ADHD, and other long-term imbalances.
Homeopathic Approach:
Treatment is constitutional, meaning the whole person is considered—not just the symptoms.
A deeper-acting remedy is chosen based on the individual’s physical, emotional, and mental state.
Lower potencies (e.g., 6C, 12C, 30C) may be given regularly, or higher potencies (e.g., 200C, 1M) may be used with longer gaps between doses.
Chronic treatment aims to address the root cause and restore long-term balance.
It usually requires guidance from a homeopath for the best results.
Again let’s take an example of an earache, but now a chronic situation – where the patient has had repeated ear infections over the last few months, when we are looking at a remedy for a chronic condition – we look at things like…
– How often these earaches happen?
– Is it always the same ear?
– What are the indications that an earache is brewing, eg, external red ear, cranky, irritable.
– Are there fears/worries/anxieties?
– How is sleep, any recurring dreams, nightmares?
– What triggers upset/tears/emotional outbursts?
– Personality – extroverted, introverted bossy etc?
– What foods are desired/avoided?
– Is the patient thirsty and if so for what?
To conclude
When we look at the difference between details required for acute and chronic conditions there is a vast difference. Chronic is looking at the whole picture, how the patient feels and things, what the pain and discomfort is like. Acute looks at the one area that is out of balance.
I sometimes use this analogy to describe the difference between chronic and acute. Imagine you are throwing a pebble into a pond – your pebble reaches the edge of the pond and the ripples stay in that location – this is acute prescribing.
Now imagine you throw the pebble into the middle of the pond – the ripples effect the whole pond – this is chronic prescribing.
Final Thoughts
Treating acute ailments at home is of great benefit, the best way to learn how to do this is by taking a Short Beginners Course, here you will learn how to identify the symptoms and learn how to pin point the remedy needed. Once you start having success – there will be no stopping you.
If you would like to discuss a health challenge, I offer FREE 15 min telephone consultations – to book click here
