In the United States, about 50 percent of adults have been diagnosed with at least one type of chronic illness such as diabetes, heart disease, or multiple sclerosis. Many of these chronic illnesses are “invisible”, that is, much of the time, these people will exhibit no obvious symptoms. Both chronic illnesses and their invisibility can have profound effects on people’s lives.

But how do they affect people? What can be done to manage them? What systems can be put in place to support people with chronic illness? How can people who do not suffer from chronic illness help those who do?

On Friday, we held a Twitter chat to discuss these issues with @BobTwillman of the American Academy of Pain Management; @alliecashel, author of Suffering the Silence; scientist, clinician and author @PatriciaFennell and eminent physician and author @HowardMarkel.

Below are some highlights from the Twitter chat: