Can You Name These Chronic Illnesses From a List of the Symptoms?
By: Lauren Lubas
4 min
Image: PeopleImages/ E+ Getty Images
About This Quiz
If a disease lasts more than three months, it is considered a chronic condition. However, chronic illnesses are also conditions that have long-lasting effects that come with time. These diseases can vary in severity from making the patient feel minor discomfort for the rest of their life to degenerative conditions that slowly break down various organs and parts of the body. No matter how subtle or intense the chronic illness is, it always comes with symptoms. While many of these symptoms present themselves at various stages of the disease, they usually become quite apparent. However, that doesn't mean that they are easy to spot and diagnose.
Many chronic illnesses present as small issues or viruses in their beginning stages. This makes it difficult for doctors to catch them the first few times a patient seeks help. For the most part, the doctor will even treat the symptoms rather than look into further testing because most chronic illnesses are pretty rare. Do you think you have a better eye for illness than a doctor? We're going to give you a list of symptoms for chronic diseases to see if you can identify it. Take this quiz to see where you rank on the diagnosing scale.
If you are diagnosed with this chronic illness, you probably have shortness of breath, coughing and tightness in your chest. Do you know what the illness is?
Millner's disease
Filmore's disease
Asthma
While there are varying degrees of asthma, the majority of people who suffer from it can keep it at bay with medications like steroids and inhalers. However, there are some cases of asthma that are so severe that they can be life-threatening.
Which disease can be identified if a person has memory loss and difficulty completing familiar tasks?
Alzheimer's disease
While the majority of cases of Alzheimer's affects senior citizens over 80, some exhibit signs early on. This disease is progressive and deteriorates memories and mental function.
Do you know which chronic illness includes the symptoms of extreme hunger, frequent urination and blurred vision?
Cystic fibrosis
Obesity
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a chronic condition that generally appears in adolescence. Those afflicted with this disease have a pancreas that cannot produce insulin properly, if at all. There are treatments, but no cure.
Which disease causes a chronic cough, shortness of breath and (in some cases) blue lips?
AOPD
HPD
MISD
COPD
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (also known as COPD) is most commonly found in smokers or ex-smokers. However, there are cases in which nonsmokers are affected, but it is usually caused by environmental air quality.
Someone who suffers from this disorder usually has a loss of interest or pleasure in activities. Do you know what it is?
Bladder disorder
Depression
Depression can be inherited, or it can come from social situations that the patient is in. With so many ways to become affected by the disorder, depression has become incredibly common in the United States.
Dizziness, tremors and amnesia are all symptoms of which chronic illness?
Lateral disease
Parkinson's disease
Symptoms of Parkinson's disease also include slowed movement, changes in speech and jaw stiffness that can lead to reduced ability to create facial expressions. Though this disease mostly shows signs at older ages, 10% of cases are in patients under the age of 50.
Diarrhea, unexplained weight loss and abdominal pain are common symptoms of what chronic disease?
Crohn's disease
Some people have Crohn's disease but they can go their entire lives with minimal symptoms. However, others experience chronic abdominal pain, even if they change their diets.
Can you name the disease that includes the symptoms clumsiness, muscle cramps and slurred speech?
Motor sensory disease
Mock lambs disease
No chronic illness has these symptoms.
ALS
Also known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, ALS is a degenerative disease that affects the nervous system. Over time, it weakens the muscles and completely disables physical function.
When someone is diagnosed with this disease, they usually experience involuntary jerking and difficulty speaking and swallowing. What is it?
Obesity
Type 1 diabetes
Huntington's disease
Not only does Huntington's disease affect the nerve cells in a patient's brain, but it can also be fatal. The condition is rare, and it is inherited from the patient's parents. Abnormal eye movements and impaired posture are other symptoms that come along with Huntington's disease.
The most common symptoms for this chronic illness are tingling in hands or feet and slow healing. Can you name the disease?
Boar's disease
Dementia
Faller's disease
Type 2 diabetes
Unlike type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes is a disease that can be regulated and even overcome by a proper diet and exercise. It affects how the patient's body is able to process blood sugar.
Loss of height, back pain and broken bones are all symptoms of which chronic illness?
Billing's disease
Millner's disease
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is the weakening of bone density. Women are at higher risk of osteoporosis than men, but treatment with diet, exercise and medication has proven to help with the symptoms.
Can you name the chronic illness that is diagnosed when someone has temporary confusion, a tendency to stare and a loss of consciousness?
Morgan's syndrome
Epilepsy
Epilepsy can be inherited, or it can be a result of a brain injury or trauma. There are medications, dietary changes and surgical procedures that can help treat the disease, which is caused by abnormal brain activity.
Anyone diagnosed with this disorder has mood swings, feelings of hopelessness and racing thoughts. What is it?
Bipolar disorder
Millions of cases of bipolar disorder crop up around the United States every year. This common condition can be treated with medication, diet and exercise, but we don't know the cause, and there is no cure.
The main symptoms of this illness are pain and stiffness in the joints. Can you name it?
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is better known as degenerative arthritis. While there are over 100 types of arthritis around, all of them are commonly referred to as arthritis. If you are diagnosed with arthritis, you and your doctor will come up with a treatment plan.
Symptoms for this disease include vision problems, chest pain and blood in your urine. Do you know what it's called?
Cardiofilm
Hypertension
Hypertension is a fancy way of saying that someone has high blood pressure. This can cause complications in many forms and increase the patient's risk of stroke and heart disease. A healthy diet and exercise program can reduce these risks.
Which illness has these symptoms: abdominal pain, weight loss and diarrhea?
Birch's disorder
Ulcerative disease
Inflammatory bowel disease
Inflammatory bowel disease has more specific diseases within its definition. However, it is mostly considered a disorder that is caused by chronic inflammation, specifically in the patient's digestive tract.
If you have problems balancing or bladder dysfunction, you may have which chronic illness?
Type 2 diabetes
Chronic headaches
Anxiety disorder
Multiple sclerosis
Symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS) also include double vision and weakness. It is extremely painful and requires physical therapy and medications to slow the progression. However, these medications can suppress the immune system.
Loud snoring, restless sleep and waking up gasping for air are all symptoms of this illness. What is it?
Sleep apnea
There are varying degrees of sleep apnea. In the most severe cases, the patients stop breathing for over a minute at a time while they are sleeping. Special devices known as CPAP machines can be used to help subside the effects.
Do you know which illness includes the symptoms of chest pain, fatigue and dizziness?
Hyperplasia
Mitrovalve disease
Filmore's disease
Atrial fibrillation
Though atrial fibrillation may not have any symptoms at all, some who suffer from the condition get lightheaded and have bouts of shortness of breath. The condition causes palpitations and irregular heartbeat.
Women who have this disease experience spotting and painful intercourse. What is it?
Breast cancer
Brain tumor
Cervical cancer
Cervical cancer is a very serious matter as a woman's cervix helps to regulate the hormones throughout her body. This means it can spread quickly. However, early detection is vital, and it can be treated with surgery and chemotherapy.
Sore throat, fatigue and loss of memory are all symptoms of which illness?
Chronic sleep syndrome
Restless leg syndrome
Myopic syndrome
Chronic fatigue syndrome
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) has quite a few symptoms and can be difficult to diagnose. It can be caused by other medical conditions, and can only be diagnosed if the person has suffered from severe fatigue for over six months.
Do you know which illness includes these symptoms: fatigue, anemia and swelling hands or feet?
Scoliosis
Sickle cell anemia
Sickle cell anemia occurs when the red blood cells in a patient's body are misshapen and become sickle-shaped. This causes the blood cells to break down and die earlier. Treatments for this condition are as simple as medication and as extreme as bone-marrow transplants.
Which disease that affects women comes with the symptoms of infertility and pain with bowel movements?
Endometriosis
Occurring solely in women, endometriosis happens when endometrial cells grow outside of the uterus. This disease can cause the patient to have incredible amounts of pain and suffer from infertility.
This skin condition can cause areas of swelling and patches of scaly skin. What is it?
Flakes disease
Warts
Eczema
This skin condition can be painful and unsightly. However, those who suffer from it have options when it comes to medications and dietary changes. The redness, swelling and cracking can be mediated.
Do you know the name of the disease that causes aching and swollen joints, chest pain while breathing and ankle swelling?
Skin cancer
Hypertension
Kidney disease
Lupus
As far as autoimmune diseases go, lupus might be one of the most common. There are more than 200,000 new cases per year in the United States. Lupus is what happens when your immune system starts to attack the body's tissues, causing inflammation.
A child with this disease most likely experiences persistent coughing and a poor growth rate. What is the disease?
Cystic fibrosis
This hereditary disease affects children. There are newborn screenings available for early diagnosis. Cystic fibrosis is a rare condition in which the body produces too much mucus and digestive juices.
Clumsiness and trouble sitting or standing on your own are symptoms of which chronic illness?
Muscular dystrophy
There are several different types of muscular dystrophy. It occurs when the body is unable to create healthy muscle tissue on its own. This leads to a steady decrease in muscle mass, which leads to weakness all over the body.
Anxiety, shortness of breath and palpitations are all signs of which illness?
Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
Mitral valve prolapse
Although the majority of mitral valve prolapse cases don't necessarily need treatment, some do. The ailment can last for years and comes with irregular heartbeat and shortness of breath.
Loss of spinal flexibility, bone spurs and back pain are all symptoms of what chronic illness?
Spina bifida
Degenerative disc disease
Degenerative disc disease is more common than you would think. It is caused when the vertebrae in a person's back begin to lose their cushioning, causing them to fragment and herniate.
Muscle paralysis and uncontrollable daytime sleepiness are symptoms of which disorder?
Epilepsy
Eczema
Narcolepsy
Those who don't suffer from narcolepsy might consider the condition to be humorous. However, this sleep disorder results in drowsiness and the tendency to fall asleep whenever the body is relaxed.
If you're diagnosed with this, you probably have experienced dry skin, scaly skin and pitted nails. What is it?
Whipple's disease
Gomella
Migropia
Psoriasis
Common signs of psoriasis are a scaly and patchy rash accompanied by itchy, dry skin. This skin condition is very common and is thought to be an issue with the immune system. While most cases can be treated with a proper diet, others require medication.
Joint pain, muscle weakness and hardened smooth skin are all symptoms of which skin disorder?
Scleroderma
Though scleroderma is not a common disease, it is incredibly serious. Not only does this condition cause tightening in the skin around your joints, but it also comes with joint pain and heartburn. Treatment for scleroderma requires surgery, medication and physical therapy.
Which illness is someone suffering from if they experience rectal pain, weight loss and abdominal cramping?
Sepsis
Epilepsy
Ulcerative colitis
Ulcerative colitis is caused by inflammation in the bowels. More specifically, it can be found in the innermost lining of the large intestine or the rectum. This is very painful and may even require surgery.
Can you name the disease that is identified by a burning pain, swelling and sweating?
ADS
RSD
Reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) is an incredibly painful condition. Other symptoms include changes in how your hair and nails grow, muscle spasms and stiff joints. It isn't a very common disease.
Uneven shoulders, trouble walking and shortness of breath are all symptoms of which ailment?
Mitral valve prolapse
Anxiety disorder
Microvalvia
Scoliosis
Scoliosis is a curve in the spine that can be incredibly painful. It generally occurs during adolescence, when growth spurts are most common. If not treated early enough, this disease can become debilitating.