Intro to Pathophysiology

subclinical state

pathological changes occur in tissue or organ, patient displays no signs or symptoms

latent (silent) stage

no clinical signs are evident

incubation period

time period from exposure to the onset

prodromal period

early development of disease with nonspecific signs or symptoms

manifestations

signs and symptoms of a disease, local or systematic

remission

manifestations of a disease subsides

exacerbation

manifestations worsen

precipitating factor

triggers acute episode

sequelae

potential, harmful outcomes of the primary conditions

prognosis

probability for recovery or other outcomes

morbidity

disease rates within a group and the functional impairment associated with certain conditions

mortality

number or deaths resulting from particular disease

epidemiology

science of tracking a pattern or occurrence

epidemics

higher than expected number of cases in a given area

pandemics

higher than expected number of cases around the globe

incidence

new cases of a disease in specific time and place

prevalence

new and existing cases in a specific time and place

communicable diseases

spread from one person to another

notifiable diseases

disease that must be submitted to designated authorities (AIDS, SARS)

atrophy

decrease in size of cells, reduced tissue mass
ex. arm in cast

hypertrophy

increased size of cells, enlarged tissue mass
ex. weightlifting

hyperplasia

increase number of cells, enlarged tissue mass, happen at same time with hypertrophy
ex. uterine enlargement during pregnancy

metaplasia

one mature cell type is replaced by different mature cell type, may be adaptive mechanism
ex. cigarette smokers

dysplasia

cells varying in size or shape, large nuclei, increased mitosis
ex. pap smear, screening test

anaplasia

cells that are undifferentiated with variable nuclear and cell structures or numerous mitotic figures
ex. present in cancer cells, determine degree of aggressiveness

neoplasm

new growth, referred to as tumor

apoptosis

programmed cell death, normal occurrence

mechanisms of cell damage

ischemia-decreased blood supply to organ
physical agents-excessive heat or cold
mechanical damage-pressure or tearing
chemical toxins
microorganisms-bacteria, viruses
abnormal metabolites
nutritional deficits
imbalance of fluids or electrolytes

hypoxia

decreased oxygen in tissue

What are microorganisms?

bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites

initial cell damage

alteration in metabolic reaction, which leads to loss of cell function, is reversible

subsequent cell damage

amount of damage increases, cell swells and dies, this is irreversible

necrosis

cell death

liquefaction necrosis

enzymes liquify the dead cells

coagulative necrosis

cell proteins are denatured, but the cell retains structure for period of time

fat necrosis

fatty tissue is broken down in to fatty acids, as a result of infection or enzymes

caseous necrosis

form of consultive necrosis, contains thick yellowish, "cheesy" substance

infarction

area of dead cells resulting from lack of oxygen
ex. acute myocardial infarction-death of a portion of heart muscle

gangrene

necrotic tissue that has been invaded by bacteria, can occur after infarction, must be removed surgically

brains cells die how fast?

4-5 minutes when deprived of oxygen

heart muscles die how fast?

30 minutes when deprived of oxygen

brain death

lack of response to stimuli, EEG changes, decreased perfusion (blood flow) to brain

pathophysiology

study of functional or physiological changes in the body from a disease process

pathology

study of cells and tissue changes associated with a disease

disease

deviation from the normal state of health or wellness

stages (3)

1. basic science- identify tech
2. limited clinical trials
3. large scale, clinical trials
-double blind

double blind studies

subjects and administers do not know if subject is receiving standard, proven treatment or treatment being tested

diagnosis

identification of specific disease through the evaluation of test

etiology

causative factors of a disease
ex. congenital, inherited, microorganisms etc.

idopathic

cause of disease is unknown

iatrogenic

treatment, procedure or error may be cause of disease

predisposing factors

factors that may promote but not guarantee the development of disease

pathogenesis

development of disease or sequence of events involved

acute onset

short, sudden, severe

insidious

slow, gradual with mild signs

chronic onset

mild and persistent over time