Introduction to Disease Flashcards
Disease
Any change from a health state. It may be a change in a structure or function, or it may be the failure of a part of the body to develop properly
Etiology
Cause of the illness
Signs and Symptoms
A usual set of indications that the illness is in progress
Disease Progression:
The usual course of the illness
Prognosis
The probable outcome of the process
What factors can lead to disease?
Risk Factors (predisposing or precipitating factors): Behaviors, conditions or event that tend to promote certain diseases
Family history, access to medical care, unprotected sex, traumatic events, genetic, lack of exercise, living conditions
Two general classes of disease
Acute, chronic
Acute
Progresses rapidly and lasts for a predictable period and then recovers (or dies)
Ex: broken bone, flu
Chronic
Develops and often worsens over a longer period of time
Ex: osteoporosis, asthma
Diagnostics
Often times, physicians are like detectives, following clues and putting together observations and notes to figure out what is wrong and how it can be fixed
Diagnostic Test
Any approach to gather more information for the purpose of making a clinical decision
Low Tech Tests:
Urine test
Blood test
Sugar level
Reflex test
Eye exam
Blood pressure
Swab test
Stool test
High Tech Tests:
X-ray
CT scan
Ultrasound
MRI
Colonoscopy
Mammography
Angiography
EKG
PET scan
carcinogen
a substance capable of causing cancer in living tissue
background radiation
Background radiation is the natural and artificial ionizing radiation constantly present in the environment, originating from cosmic rays, the Earth’s crust, the human body, and human activities like medical procedures.
Explain how bone images are formed
Bone images are created using X-ray imaging, where X-rays pass through the body and are absorbed by bones, making them appear white on the captured image.
Three types of X-rays
standard, ct scan, fluoscopy
Standard X-ray:
Basic imaging for bones and organs.
CT Scan (Computed Tomography):
Cross-sectional, detailed images of the body.
Fluoroscopy:
Real-time X-ray imaging, often used for guiding procedures.
What are the risks associated with X-Ray exposure
X-ray exposure carries a risk of tissue damage due to ionizing radiation, which can increase the likelihood of cancer and, in high doses, cause cell mutations or organ damage.
What type of X-rays have the most risk?
CT scans have the most risk due to the higher doses of radiation compared to standard X-rays.
What type of protective gear do radiologists wear to protect themselves?
Radiologists wear lead aprons, thyroid shields, lead gloves, and lead glasses to protect themselves from radiation exposure
