single word requests - Something which is not terminal or fatal but lifelong



I'm talking about an incurable disease which is a lifelong affliction but is not fatal.


Usage - She is suffering from a ____________ illness.


I can't use terminal here because terminal means "predicted to lead to death, especially slowly; incurable.".



Answer



chronic


From the Oxford English Dictionary (OED)



Of diseases, etc.: Lasting a long time, long-continued, lingering, inveterate; opposed to acute



OED cites as an example:



1994 Jrnl. Internal Med. 236 685 A 23-year-old female student exhibited all the characteristics of chronic factitious disorder with physical symptoms (Munchhausen's syndrome): deliberate simulation of illness, peregrination, fantastic pseudology and dramatic circumstances on admittance. (Emphasis added)



OED contrasts chronic with acute



acute: Of a disease, symptom, etc.: coming quickly to a crisis or conclusion; of rapid onset and short duration; of recent or sudden onset; contrasted with chronic



The Cambridge English Dictionary gives as examples (rearranged):



chronic arthritis/pain


She suffers from chronic pain in her knees.


I have a chronic bowel disease



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