Introduction to Health and Disease l1

Question 1

What is Health?

Answer 1

a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity

Question 2

What is Disease?

Answer 2

Any harmful deviation from the normal structural or functional state of an organism, generally associated with certain symptoms and differing in nature from physical injury

Question 3

What is homeostasis?

Answer 3

Homeostasis is the regulation of the body’s internal environment to an approximately “constant” state

examples
Body temperature
Body pH (acidity)
Blood pressure
Heart rate
Blood sugar
Ion balance

Question 4

Why is homeostasis important in maintaining health?

Answer 4

Biochemical reactions take place at an optimum temperature and pH

Question 5

Control systems and homeostasis

Answer 5

Homeostasis is adynamic equilibrium,not astatic process

Physiological variables can changeovera 24 h period, but the system is still in overallbalance

Question 6

Disease Classification

Answer 6

Temporal classificationeg.acute orchronic
Aetiology based (causes of the disease) eg.infectious diseases, autoimmune diseases, genetic diseases
Anatomical or organ system eg. cardiovascular, neurological
Morphological or structural ( size shape and stucture) classification eg. tumors, cysts

Question 7

What is pathophysiology?

Answer 7

The study of structural and functional changes in cells, tissuesand organs during disease.

Question 8

What is pharmacology?

Answer 8

The study ofthe uses, effects, and modes of action of drugs.

Pharmacology is important for the discovery of new, safer medicines to treat disease

Understanding health and disease will help with providing optimal patient care

Question 9

Pathophysiology and pharmacology are linked as

Answer 9

drugs are designed to counteract the underlying physiological disruptions that occur during disease.