2. Pathophysiology = the study of the functional changes associated
with a specific disease
The study of abnormal function in the body and how disease
processes work
How the disease affects specific functions of the body
INTRODUCTION TO
Pathophysiology
3. Importance of study of pathophysiology
Anatomy and physiology (basic -science)
Action of etiologic agent
Pathophysiology (disorder physiology)
Understanding of
pathophysiology
Pharmacology (Rational drugs therapies)
Relief
4. Terms Used In Pathophysiology
• Pathology = study of disease (Pathology is a result of disease and
changes in homeostasis).
• Pathogenesis = the development of a disease(A. The
development of a disease is referred to as pathogenesis (-genesis
= origin or development).
Example: common cold
1. Cause = exposure and inoculation of cold virus
2. Incubation time = virus multiplies
3. Manifestation = host begins to have signs and symptoms (sore
throat, itchy eyes, runny nose, etc.)
4. Recovery = return to previous state of health
5. • Disease terminology
– Etiology = cause of the disease
– Idiopathic = disease with unknown cause
– Iatrogenic = disease caused by human intervention
– Congenital diseases = diseases occurring at birth
– Syndrome = common cause of different signs & symptoms
– Remission = period when symptoms & signs of disease abates
– Exacerbation = period when symptoms & signs increase
– Endemic disease = disease native to local area
– Epidemic = many people affected in a given area
– Pandemic = many people affected in large areas
– Incubation = latent period of the disease before develop signs &
symptoms
– Prognosis = probability for recovery
– Morbidity = disease rates within a group
– Mortality = death rates within a group
– Epidemiology = how the disease occurs & spreads through an area
6. Predisposing Factors (risk factors)
• Age
• Young are prone to accidents
• Getting diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and certain
cancers increase with age
• Very old are prone to drug interactions
• Sex
• More frequent in woman: MS, osteoporosis
• More frequent in men: gout, Parkinson’s disease
• Lifestyle
• Examples of harmful lifestyle:
» Perilous occupation
» Smoking
» Excess alcohol
» Poor nutrition
» Sedentary activity
7. • Environment
• Air pollution
• Water pollution
• Poor living conditions
• Excessive noise
• Chronic psychological stress
• Heredity
• Deals with genetic predisposition (inheritance)
» Genetic predisposition + certain type of environment =
mental retardation , lung cancer, etc.
• Stress - increases body’s production of corticosteroids, which
decreases immune system function.
• Occupation - exposure to loud noises, pollutants, repetitive
movements, heavy equipment, high places, etc.
• Preventive health care
• The best treatment of a disease is prevention !!
• Deals with altering risk factors that can be changed
