Glossary A

Glossary A

Acute diseases refer to conditions that develop over a short period of time and cause a rapid change in health.

Acute disorders refer to illnesses or other medical problems that occur over a short period of time, that are usually the result of an infectious process, and that are reversible.

Acute illness refers to a Condition that is usually short-term and that often comes on quickly.

Acute medical conditions are Illnesses that last a short time.

Acute pain refers to the normal, predicted physiological response to a noxious chemical, thermal or mechanical stimulus and typically is associated with invasive procedures, trauma and disease.

Acute pain refers to short-term pain that usually results from a specific injury.

Acute phase refers to the first stage of the rape trauma syndrome, in which a victim often feels shock, fear, anger, or other related feelings.

Acute stress disorder (ASD) refers to a new category of mental disorder in DSM-IV that is defined as a reaction occurring within 4 weeks following a traumatic experience and is characterized by dissociative symptoms, reexperiencing, avoidance, and marked anxiety or arousal.