What is "exacerbation"

Exacerbation \Ex*ac`er*ba"tion\ ([e^]gz*[a^]s`[~e]r*b[=a]"sh[u^]n) n. [Cf. F. exacerbation.]

1. The act of rendering more violent or bitter; the state of being exacerbated or intensified in violence or malignity; as, exacerbation of passion.

2. (Med.) A periodical increase of violence in a disease, as in remittent or continuous fever; an increased energy of diseased and painful action.

c.1400, from Late Latin exacerbationem (nominative exacerbatio), noun of action from past participle stem of Latin exacerbare "exasperate, irritate, provoke," from ex- "thoroughly" (see ex-) + acerbus "harsh, bitter," from acer "sharp, keen" (see acrid).

n. An increase in the severity of something (such as a disease)

1. n. action that makes a problem or a disease (or its symptoms) worse; "the aggravation of her condition resulted from lack of care" [syn: aggravation]

2. violent and bitter exasperation; "his foolishness was followed by an exacerbation of their quarrel"

An exacerbation, in medicine, is the worsening of a disease or an increase in its symptoms. Examples includes an acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and acute exacerbation of congestive heart failure.