Acute conditions are severe and sudden in onset. This could describe anything from a
broken bone to an asthma attack. A chronic condition, by contrast is a long-developing
syndrome, such as osteoporosis or asthma. Note that osteoporosis, a chronic
condition, may cause a broken bone, an acute condition. An acute asthma attack
occurs in the midst of the chronic disease of asthma. Acute conditions, such as a first
asthma attack, may lead to a chronic syndrome if untreated. (1)
(1) NIH Medline Plus: Acute vs. Chronic Conditions