Chronic illnesses affect millions of people around the globe. Age and genetics are just a couple of the factors that could determine your predisposition to developing a long-term medical condition. In fact, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), chronic diseases are the leading cause of death and disability throughout the world and are pervasive regardless of socioeconomic class.
What is a chronic disease?
A chronic disease is a persistent condition that one might experience for their entire lifetime. Sometimes these ailments are hereditary, while other illnesses are linked to age, gender and environmental factors. It’s important to have a good understanding of the most common illnesses on the chronic disease list and to know if you’re considered to be at risk.
What’s the difference between a chronic disease and an acute illness?
Broadly speaking, an acute medical condition occurs quite suddenly and has a limited duration, like the flu, whereas a chronic condition can persist for an entire lifetime and, in some cases, has the potential to become incrementally worse over time, like Crohn’s disease.
Chronic conditions covered by Health4Me
Bloom’s Health4Me covers 27 chronic medical conditions. These are:
| Addison’s disease | Epilepsy |
| Asthma | Glaucoma |
| Bipolar mood disorder | Haemophilia |
| Bronchiectasis | HIV |
| Cardiac dysrhythmias | Hyperlipidaemia |
| Cardiac failure | Hypertension |
| Cardiomyopathy | Hypothyroidism |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) | Multiple sclerosis |
| Chronic renal disease | Parkinson’s disease |
| Coronary artery disease | Rheumatoid arthritis |
| Crohn’s disease | Schizophrenia |
| Diabetes insipidus | Systemic lupus erythematosus |
| Diabetes mellitus type 1 | Ulcerative colitis |
| Diabetes mellitus type 2 |
Also read: Asthma: It’s more serious than you think
Common chronic diseases explained
Here are some of the more common examples of chronic disease:
1. Asthma
| Definition: Asthma is a long-term, inflammatory disease of the airways to the lungs. It causes the respiratory airways to become inflamed and narrow, making breathing difficult. |
| Symptoms: There are different types of asthma, like mild intermittent asthma, mild persistent asthma, moderate persistent asthma and severe persistent asthma, but they all have similar symptoms, which include difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, fatigue, coughing and wheezing. |
| Diagnosis and treatment: Most people who suffer from asthma are advised to use an inhaler. Asthma symptoms or attacks can be triggered by infections (like sinusitis or flu), allergens (like pollen or mould), irritants (like cleaning chemicals, air pollution and tobacco), strenuous exercise, extremely cold weather or high humidity, certain medications, and food containing preservatives (like pickles and wine). Find out how you can better control asthma symptoms with tips from Hello Doctor. |
2. Cardiovascular disease
| Definition: Cardiovascular disease is a term used to describe illnesses related to the heart and blood vessels. |
| Facts: Heart disease and stroke are the second-largest killer in South Africa, after HIV/AIDS, with an estimated 210 South Africans dying from cardiovascular disease each day. |
| Diagnosis and treatment: Despite these shocking statistics, the Heart and Stroke Foundation supports the view that up to 80% of these deaths can be prevented through lifestyle changes, like healthy eating, regular exercise and avoiding unsafe habits, such as smoking or overindulging in alcohol. Medication and management of risk factors are also beneficial in improving outcomes. |
3. Parkinson’s disease
| Definition: Parkinson’s is a progressive neurological disorder that affects one’s movement. |
| Facts: Coordinated muscle movements are made possible by a substance known as dopamine, which is produced in the substantia nigra of the brain. In Parkinson’s disease, the cells of the substantia nigra begin to die. This reduces dopamine production, resulting in symptoms like hand tremors, poor balance, stiffness and slower movements. |
| Diagnosis and treatment: The disease progresses in five stages, often starting off with only minor symptoms and worsening over time. It is often associated with dementia, which is also a progressive neurological disease. Unfortunately, there is currently no cure for Parkinson’s, but research continues in an effort to find improved treatments. Find out how you can detect the early signs of Parkinson’s disease with the Parkinson’s Foundation. |
4. Diabetes
| Definition: Diabetes is a metabolic disease that causes high blood sugar, which, if left untreated, can cause severe damage to the nerves, eyes, kidneys and internal organs. |
| Facts: It’s caused when the body doesn’t produce enough of the hormone insulin, or has become resistant to its own insulin over time. While diabetes is a common chronic disease around the globe, South African statistics are amongst the most concerning. |
| Diagnosis and treatment: There are several different types of diabetes and corresponding treatments. Diabetes can be managed with lifestyle changes, as well as the appropriate medication and treatment. Get information and support from Diabetes South Africa if you or a loved one is affected by this disease. |
5. Crohn’s disease
| Definition: Crohn’s disease is defined as a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that affects the lining of the digestive tract. |
| Facts: It most commonly occurs in the small intestine and the colon, and it causes painful ulcers and inflammation along any part of the digestive tract. While the severity of the disease does vary, people who suffer from Crohn’s disease report experiencing symptoms like diarrhoea, fatigue, weight loss, loss of appetite and abdominal cramps. |
| Diagnosis and treatment: Those suffering from Crohn’s are diagnosed by undergoing blood tests, a barium X-ray or an endoscopy. The inflammation is treated using medication and by following an approved diet. |
6. Hypertension
| Definition: Hypertension, or high blood pressure (HBP), develops over time. HBP is a chronic condition in which one’s blood pressure increases to an unhealthy level. Blood pressure is measured by the resistance to blood flow through your arteries. The narrower your arteries, the higher your blood pressure. |
| Facts: High blood pressure puts you at risk of developing serious health issues like heart disease, a stroke, kidney disease or a heart attack. |
| Diagnosis and treatment: High blood pressure is treated with medication. You can also lower your blood pressure by leading a healthy lifestyle: a low-sodium diet, regular exercise and getting enough sleep are some of the ways you can lower your risk. Learn to manage your blood pressure with the Heart and Stroke Foundation. |
7. Rheumatoid arthritis
| Definition: Arthritis is a rheumatic autoimmune condition, classified as chronic inflammation in the joints, that can eventually cause joint deformity. |
| Facts: This can cause severe pain, stiffness, swelling and reduced mobility. The symptoms can be mild, moderate or severe, and they vary from one person to the next. However, it progresses in stages and gets worse with age. There is often a positive family history of the condition. |
| Diagnosis and treatment: Treatments depend on the type and stage of arthritis. |
8. Bipolar mood disorder
| Definition: Bipolar mood disorder, formerly known as manic depression, is an incurable mental illness characterised by severe shifts in mood. |
| Facts: A person diagnosed with this disorder will experience extreme and alternating episodes of either mania or hypomania, and depression. People with bipolar disorder may have difficulty managing everyday tasks, like work or relationships, while in a manic, hypomanic or depressive episode. |
| Diagnosis and treatment: There are various treatments and support systems available to treat the illness, ranging from medication to counselling services. More information may be found via the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG). |
Keeping you covered for chronic illness and disease
While some people are predisposed to develop a chronic condition due to a hereditary gene or anomaly, this isn’t always the case. Many people are struck down by debilitating illness or disease that can severely impede their quality of life and ability to function in the workplace. Don’t put yourself at risk of loss of income or a compromised lifestyle. Make sure you’re aptly covered for chronic disease with a health insurance plan.
At Bloom, we offer a wide variety of medical insurance options to keep you covered in the case of chronic disease. All three Health4Me options, Bronze, Silver and Gold, cover chronic medication for the 27 chronic conditions listed, in line with the Network chronic medication formulary. Pre-authorisation is required and waiting periods apply.
Find out more about our chronic benefits or get in touch to learn more about our health insurance plans.
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Cover for 27 chronic conditions Compare the Health4Me Bronze, Silver and Gold options, or ask a Bloom consultant to call you back. |
Medical content disclaimer
You understand and acknowledge that all users of the Bloom website are responsible for their own medical care, treatment and oversight. All content provided on the website is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Nor is it intended to be a substitute for an independent professional medical opinion, judgement, diagnosis or treatment.
Only the medical content in this article has been reviewed by our medical reviewer. This review does not mean that the reviewer endorses Bloom Financial Services or any of its products. Our medical reviewers have partnered with Bloom purely to help us provide accurate medical information, and are paid a fee for their time and expertise.
Dr Kimantha Naidoo
MBChB, University of KwaZulu-Natal (2017)
PGDip General Practice, Foundation for Professional Development (2025)
General Practitioner | HPCSA: MP0858730
This content has been reviewed and approved by Dr Kimantha Naidoo, a general practitioner.
Dr Naidoo practises as a sessional medical officer in the public sector and as a locum GP in Pietermaritzburg.
Dr Naidoo is registered with the following healthcare body in South Africa:
