What do we call the period when the symptoms of a chronic disease worsen?

The period when the symptoms of a chronic disease worsen is referred to as an exacerbation. During this phase, patients experience an increase in the severity or frequency of their symptoms, which can lead to a potential decline in their overall health and require more intensive management or treatment. This term is commonly used in various chronic conditions, including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and multiple sclerosis, where patients may have periods of stability followed by episodes of increased symptoms.

In contrast, remission denotes a phase where the symptoms subside or are absent, representing an improvement in the condition. Convalescence refers to the recovery phase after a disease or medical treatment, indicating a period of healing rather than worsening. Desperation is not a clinical term related to symptoms of diseases but rather describes a psychological state, which is not applicable in the context of describing disease symptoms.