Debilitating Illness
What is a debilitating illness?
A debilitating illness refers to any disease that causes the body to become weak over time and incapable of performing regular activities. Some debilitating illnesses, despite being cured, may still cause the patient to remain in this weakened state for the rest of their lives.
Debilitating diseases can affect various parts of the body, such as the muscles, brain, or other areas. In addition, debilitating diseases can sometimes come on very quickly, completely changing someone’s life in just a few months.
Some debilitating illnesses include:
- Schizophrenia
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Poliomyelitis
- Cerebral palsy<
- Muscular dystrophy
- Cystic fibrosis
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Parkinson’s disease
- Multiple sclerosis
- Alzheimer’s and dementia
How do debilitating illnesses impact healthcare?
No matter the cause, debilitating illnesses are dramatically devastating to an individual’s quality of life and can often affect the individual for years, even after the patient no longer has the condition. Those with debilitating illnesses often require ongoing medical care and can struggle with daily activities, which may cause them to need the assistance of home health services.