University:
California State University, Northridge
Course:
BIOL 101 | General Biology
Academic year:

2024
Views:

352

Pages:

5
Author:

Skye S.

Chapter 1 : Cellular Biology Introduction to Pathophysiology ● "Patho" means suffering, "logos" means discourse or formal study, and "physio" refers to organism functions Definition of pathophysiology ● Study of the underlying changes in body physiology that result from disease or injury ● Includes molecular, cellular, and organ system level changes ● Considers the psychological, social, cultural, and economic implications of disease Purpose of studying pathophysiology ● Provides understanding of disease mechanisms ● Explains how alterations in body structure and function lead to signs and symptoms of disease ● Guides healthcare professionals in planning, selecting, and evaluating therapies Foundation knowledge for studying pathophysiology ● Understanding of human anatomy and physiology ● Comprehension of interrelationship among cells and organ systems in the body Related fields in pathophysiology ● Pathology: Investigation of structural alterations in cells, tissues, and organs ● Pathogenesis: Pattern of tissue changes associated with development of disease ● Etiology: Study of disease causes (infection, heredity, environment, etc.) ● Idiopathic: Diseases without identifiable cause ● Iatrogenic: Diseases caused by medical treatment ● Nosocomial: Diseases acquired in hospital environment Terms related to disease diagnosis and outcome ● Diagnosis: Naming or identification of a disease based on evidence ● Prognosis: Expected outcome of a disease ● Acute disease: Sudden onset with short duration ● Chronic disease: Slow onset with long-lasting symptoms ● Remissions: Periods of symptom disappearance or significant reduction ● Exacerbations: Periods of symptom worsening or increased severity ● Complications: Onset of disease in a person with existing disease ● Sequelae: Unwanted outcomes or complications resulting from a disease or trauma Clinical manifestations of disease ● Signs: Objective alterations observed or measured by another person ● Symptoms: Subjective experiences reported by the person with disease Prodromal period ● Time before onset of specific signs and symptoms ● Characterized by vague symptoms like fatigue or loss of appetite Insidious symptoms ● Vague or nonspecific feelings signaling a change in the body Latent period ● Time when no symptoms are apparent, but disease is present ● Examples: incubation phase of infection or early growth phase of tumor Syndrome ● Group of symptoms occurring together ● May be caused by several interrelated problems or a specific disease Disorder ● Abnormality of function ● Can refer to an illness or specific problem Epidemiology ● Study of disease occurrence and transmission in populations and geographic areas Incidence of a disease ● Number of new cases during a specific time period Prevalence of a disease ● Number of existing cases within a population during a specific time period Risk factors ● Predisposing factors increasing probability of disease ● Include heredity, age, gender, race, environment, and lifestyle Precipitating factor ● Condition or event causing a pathologic event or disorder ● Example: asthma triggered by allergen exposure Pathophysiology ● Study of how and why disease develops ● Empowers healthcare professionals in decision making for optimal healthcare outcomes