Pathophysiology 1 Flashcards
What is pathophysiology?
The study of functional or physiologic changes in the body that results from disease processes.
Pathophysiology helps in understanding how diseases affect bodily functions.
How is disease defined?
A deviation from the normal structure or function of any part, organ, system, or combination of these or from a state of wellness.
This definition highlights the multifaceted nature of disease.
What does the World Health Organization include in its definition of health?
Physical, mental, and social well-being.
This comprehensive definition emphasizes that health is not just the absence of disease.
What is homeostasis?
The maintenance of a relatively stable internal environment regardless of external changes.
Homeostasis is crucial for overall health and functioning.
What happens when homeostasis is not maintained?
Disease may develop.
Disruptions in homeostasis can lead to various health issues.
What are the components of health?
- Physical well-being
- Mental well-being
- Social well-being
These components collectively define a person’s overall health.
What are health indicators?
Values that occur within a range and may vary depending on technology used for measurement.
Indicators help assess health status and trends.
What factors can cause adjustments in health indicators?
- Age
- Gender
- Genetics
- Environment
- Activity level
These factors can influence individual health measurements.
What is the first step in the Seven Steps to Health?
Be a nonsmoker and avoid second-hand smoke.
This step emphasizes the importance of avoiding tobacco for overall health.
What does the second step in the Seven Steps to Health recommend?
Eat 5 to 10 servings of vegetables and fruit a day. Choose high-fiber, lower fat foods.
A balanced diet is essential for maintaining health.
What is one of the preventive measures suggested in the Seven Steps to Health?
Limit alcohol intake.
Moderation in alcohol consumption is crucial for preventing health issues.
What is the focus of pathophysiology?
Functional (physiologic) changes in the body as a result from disease.
Pathophysiology integrates knowledge of anatomy and physiology.
What does the study of pathology include?
Describes structural changes in body tissues caused by disease.
Pathology complements pathophysiology by focusing on physical changes.
What is a primary focus in the prevention of disease?
Maintaining routine vaccination programs.
Vaccination is a key strategy for preventing infectious diseases.
What are the stages of the research process in Health Science?
- Stage 1: Basic science
- Stage 2: Small number of human subjects
- Stage 3: Clinical trials
Each stage builds upon the previous one to ensure safety and effectiveness.
What is the purpose of Stage 1 in the research process?
Researchers work to identify a technology that will limit or prevent the disease process.
This stage involves laboratory work and may include animal or cell/tissue cultures.
What characterizes a double-blind study?
Neither the participants nor the experimenters know who is receiving a particular treatment.
This approach minimizes bias and ensures reliable results.
True or False: Clinical trials involve a small number of patients with the disease or risk of the disease.
False. Clinical trials involve a large number of patients.
Large sample sizes help improve the reliability of the results.
What’s included in medical history
Current and prior illness
Allergies
Hospitalizations
Tx
Specific difficulties
Any type of therapy/ drug
Normal values for health indicator can be adjusted by?
Gender
Age
Genetics
Environment
Activity level
Examination of a dead body is known as
Autopsy
Biologically programmed cell death is known as
Apoptosis
of new cases in a given population with a given time period is known as
Incidence
What is the gross level in medical terminology?
Organ or system level
What is the microscopic level in medical terminology?
Cellular level
What is a biopsy?
Excision of small amounts of living tissue
What is an autopsy?
Examination of the body and organs after death
What is diagnosis in the context of disease?
Identification of a basic disease through evaluation of signs and symptoms and laboratory tests
What does etiology refer to?
Causative factors in a particular disease
List some causative factors in etiology.
- Congenital defects
- Inherited or genetic disorders
- Microorganisms
- Immunologic dysfunctions
- Degenerative changes
- Malignancy
- Metabolic, nutritional problems
- Trauma, burns, environmental factors
What does idiopathic mean?
Cause of disease is unknown
What does iatrogenic mean?
Error/treatment/procedure may cause the disease
What are predisposing factors in disease?
Age, gender, inherited factors, environment etc.
What is prophylaxis?
Preserve health; prevent spread of disease
What does prevention encompass?
Vaccinations; dietary/lifestyle modifications; prevention of potentially harmful activities
What is pathogenesis?
Development of the disease
What are the two types of onset of disease?
- Sudden/acute
- Insidious: gradual, vague or mild signs
What characterizes acute disease?
Short-term, develops quickly, high fever, severe pain
What characterizes chronic disease?
Develops gradually, milder symptoms, often intermitted with acute episodes
What is a subclinical state?
Pathologic changes, no obvious manifestations
What is a latent state?
No symptoms or clinical signs evident; in infectious diseases: incubation period
What is the prodromal period?
Early development of the disease with nonspecific or absent signs
What are manifestations in the context of disease?
Clinical evidence with signs and symptoms
Differentiate between local and systemic manifestations.
- Local: at site of the problem
- Systemic: general indicators of illness, e.g., fever
What are signs in medical terminology?
Objective indicators of disease
What are symptoms?
Subjective feelings
What are lesions?
Specific local change in the tissue
What is a syndrome?
Collection of signs and symptoms
What are diagnostic tests?
Various laboratory tests appropriate to manifestations and medical history
What are remissions and exacerbations?
- Remission: period which manifestations subside
- Exacerbation: a worsening of severity
What is a precipitating factor?
Condition that triggers an acute episode
What are complications in disease?
New secondary or additional problems
What is therapy in the context of disease?
Measures to promote recovery/slow progress
What are sequelae?
Potential unwanted outcomes
What is convalescence or rehabilitation?
Period of recovery and return to healthy state
What does morbidity refer to in the context of disease prognosis?
Disease rates within a group
What is the definition of mortality?
Relative number of deaths resulting from the disease
What is an autopsy?
Postmortem examination
What is epidemiology?
Tracking the pattern or occurrence of disease
Which organizations are major data collection centers for epidemiology?
- WHO
- CDC
What does incidence measure?
Number of new cases in a given population within a given time period
What is prevalence?
Number of new, old, or existing cases within a given population and time period
What characterizes an epidemic?
A higher number of expected cases of an infectious disease occur within an area
What is a pandemic?
Involves a higher number of infectious diseases in many regions of the globe
Define communicable diseases.
Infectious disease that can spread from one person to another
What are notifiable or reportable diseases?
Diseases that must be reported by the physician to designated authorities
What does atrophy refer to?
Decrease in the size of cells, resulting in reduced tissue mass
Define hypertrophy.
Increase in cell size, resulting in enlarged tissue mass
What is hyperplasia?
Increased number of cells, resulting in enlarged tissue mass
What does metaplasia involve?
Mature cell type is replaced by a different mature cell type
What is dysplasia?
Cells vary in size and shape within a tissue
Define anaplasia.
Undifferentiated cells, with variable nuclear and cell structures
What does neoplasia mean?
“New growth”—commonly called tumor
What is apoptosis?
Programmed cell death; a normal occurrence in the body
What does ischemia refer to?
Deficit of oxygen in the cells
Define hypoxia.
Reduced oxygen in tissues
What is pyroptosis?
Results in lysis causing nearby inflammation
What types of damage can lead to cell damage?
- Excessive heat or cold
- Radiation exposure
What is mechanical damage?
Pressure or tearing of tissue
What are the two types of chemical toxins?
- Exogenous: from environment
- Endogenous: from inside the body
What are microorganisms in the context of cell damage?
Bacteria and viruses, for example
What are abnormal metabolites?
- Genetic disorders
- Inborn errors of metabolism
- Altered metabolism
What does necrosis refer to?
Dying cells cause further cell damage due to cellular disintegration
What is liquefaction necrosis?
Dead cells liquefy because of release of cell enzymes
Define coagulative necrosis.
Cell proteins are altered or denatured—coagulation
What is fat necrosis?
Fatty tissue broken down into fatty acids
What does caseous necrosis produce?
Thick, yellowish, “cheesy” substance forms
What is infarction?
Area of dead cells as a result of oxygen deprivation
What is gangrene?
Area of necrotic tissue that has been invaded by bacteria
