Introduction to the study of illness Flashcards
Aetiology?
The cause of the disease
Complications?
Other consequences that might arise if the disease progresses
Pathogenesis?
The nature of the disease process and it’s effect on normal body functioning
Prognosis?
The likely outcome
Mechanisms that commonly cause disease?
Genetic abnormalities, either inherited or acquired Infection by microorganisms Chemicals Ionising radiation Physical trauma Degeneration, excessive use or ageing
Types of microorganisms that cause infection?
Bacteria
Viruses
Microbes
Parasites e.g. worms
What is inflammation?
Non-specific
A tissue response to any kind of tissue damage, such as trauma or infection
What suffix allows you to easily recognise inflammatory conditions?
‘-itis’
e.g. appendicitis
What are tumours?
Mass of cells growing outside the body’s normal control mechanisms
Arise when abnormal cells escape normal growth controls and proliferate
The rate of their production exceeds that of normal cell death, causing a mass to develop
What suffix identifies tumours?
‘-oma’
e.g. carcinoma
What are abnormal immune mechanisms?
Undesirable responses of the normally protective immune system
Allergic reactions are the result of an abnormal immune response to a foreign trigger known as an antigen
Acquired?
‘Terminology associated with disease’
A disorder that develops any time after birth
Acute?
‘Terminology associated with disease’
‘of sudden onset’
A disease with sudden onset often requiring urgent treatment
Chronic?
‘Terminology associated with disease’
‘Long-standing or recurring’
A long-standing disorder that cannot usually be cured
Communicable?
‘Terminology associated with disease’
A disease that can be transmitted from one individual to another
Congenital?
‘Terminology associated with disease’
‘Inherited’
A disorder that one is born with
Latrogenic?
‘Terminology associated with disease’
A condition that results from healthcare intervention
Sign?
‘Terminology associated with disease’
An abnormality seen or measured by people other than the patient
How does the immune response in autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis differ to that of allergic reactions?
The body develops self-antigens that attack and damage its own tissues
What is degeneration?
Often associated with normal ageing but may also arise prematurely when structures deteriorate, causing impaired function
Symptom?
‘Terminology associated with disease’
An abnormality described by the patient
Syndrome?
‘Terminology associated with disease’
A collection of signs and symptoms that tend to occur together
Thrombosis?
Inappropriate, pathological formation of stationary blood clots within blood vessels
Thrombus (pl. thrombi)?
Stationary blood clot
Embolus?
Blood clot or other substance that travels in a blood vessel and may lodge there, blocking a smaller vessel
Infarction?
Death of a region of tissue due to interruption of it’s blood supply
Thrombosis, embolism and infarction?
The effects and consequences of abnormal changes in the blood and/or blood vessel walls
Metabolic abnormalities cause illness/disease, how?
They cause undesirable metabolic effects
What is diabetes mellitus an example of in regards to pathogenesis?
A metabolic abnormality
How do genetic abnormalities arise?
Inherited/inheritance
Caused by environmental factors such as exposure to ionising radiation
Compare and contrast the terms ‘congenital and ‘acquired’
Congenital conditions are present at birth
Acquired conditions develop after birth
