Introduction to Pathophysiology

Definitions Pathophysiology-the physiology of abnormal states; specifically the functional changes that accompany a particular syndrome or disease patho- disease physio- physical or relationship to nature -ology- study of

“Patho- “ Definitions  Pathologist- one who studies disease  Surgical  Clinical  Forensic  Pathogens- microorganisms or agents that cause disease  Pathologic- caused by a disease  Pathogenesis- description of how a disease progresses

Definitions So what is disease “dis-ease”? Change in structure or function that is considered abnormal Condition in which symptoms occur ALTERATION OF HOMEOSTASIS

Definitions Disorder- derangement or abnormality of function Syndrome- group of symptoms, which might be caused by a specific disease but might also be caused by several interrelated problems

Definitions  Pathogenesis of disease can be described as :  Acute- sudden onset/ often short term (days or weeks)  Chronic- disease last for extended period of time or has long healing period  Remission- symptoms are diminished or temporarily resolved  Exaceration-when symptoms flare up

Definitions  Etiology- the study of the cause of a disease  Idiopathic- of unknown origin  Nosocomial- disease was aquired in hospital setting  Iatrogenic- problem arose from a prescribed treatment

Predisposing Factors  Also known as RISK FACTORS- not cause but can make a person more susceptible to disease  Age  Sex  Environment  Lifestyle  Heredity

Definitions  Diagniosis- identification or naming of a disease  Signs- what the health care worker sees and/or measures  Auscultation- listening with stethoscope  Palpation- feeling lightly  Percussion- tapping over body areas to hear sounds  Symptoms- what the patient reports

Definitions  Prognosis- predicted outcome for disease  Complication- prognosis time is changed; onset of a second disease  Survival rate- % of people who live for a set time  Mortality rate- death rate  also known as fatal, lethal, or terminal

Definitions  Treatment (Therapeutic)  Holistic medicine- treating the whole person rather than just the disease  Physiological, spiritual, psychological, sociocultural, intellectual  Interventions  Medicine  Surgery  Exercise  Nutritional modifications  Therapy (speech, physical, mental, etc)  Education

Definitions  Treatment (continued)  Best plan is preventive plan  Should be followed up and modified as needed  Other treatment: palliative treatment- prevention of pain but not seeking cure for the disease