comorbidities

Comorbidities refer to the presence of one or more additional health conditions that occur alongside a primary illness or condition. For example, a person with diabetes may also have hypertension or depression. These additional conditions can complicate treatment and affect overall health, making management more challenging. Understanding comorbidities is important because they can influence the course of a primary disease, the effectiveness of medications, and overall quality of life. Effective healthcare often involves addressing all existing health issues together rather than treating them in isolation.