Lesson 1 Intro to Pathophysiology

acute disease

sudden, short-term illness that can be severe

anaplasia

a condition where cells lose differentiation and revert to more primitive cellular morphological characteristics; typical of cancerous cells

apoptosis

programmed cell death that occurs when a cell is infected by a pathogen, becomes cancerous, or is no longer able to undergo mitosis cell division; it can be triggered by mitogens (growth factors) which can be released by immune cells, or by processes within the cell itself

atrophy

the shrinking of a cell or organ due to the lack of use or because of the lack of organelles and proteins within it

autopsy

a method of surgical examination occurring after death that uses careful observation through dissection to determine the cause of death, and the manner in which a person died

biopsy

examining the removed tissue from a living body to find signs of disease

coagulative necrosis

a group of cells that die with the dead tissue characterized by cheesy appearance due to the accumulation of denatured proteins and WBCs; typically caused by ischemia or infarction

chronic disease

a long-term illness or disease that is generally non-curable, and is characterized by periods of remission and exacerbation

communicable diseases

diseases that can be easily transmitted by direct contact to other patients not infected. In other words, a communicable disease is contagious.

compensatory hyperplasia

an adaptive mechanism by which cells can regenerate (e.g. liver)

complication

an unfavorable condition that arises after a medical procedure or treatment which may resolve, or if permanent becomes a sequelae

convalescence (rehabilitation)

in regards to a disease it is the period following illness in which the body begins recovery back to the normal healthy state, this period can last anywhere from days to months

diagnosis

identification of illness or disease characterized by signs and symptoms

diagnostic test

objective evidence-based testing to rule-out disease/condition or to support suspected disease/condition prior to diagnosing a disease or condition (e.g.: x-ray, CT-scans, MRI, colonoscopy, bronchoscopy, bloodwork... etc.)

dysplasia

the presence of abnormal, less differentiated cells; signifying a precancerous growth

endogenous

the cause is internal, coming from within the body

epidemic

when new cases of a disease occur more frequently than expected within a specific population

epidemiology

the study of the incidence, transmission, tracking, and treatment strategies of diseases and illnesses

etiology

the cause of a disease or disorder

exacerbation

the symptoms of a pre-existing medical condition or disease become more severe or notable. For example, an acute exacerbation of COPD would be increased shortness of breath, low oxygen saturation and/or productive cough, worse than normal for the individual already suffering from the condition

exogenous

originating from an organism's external environment

fat necrosis

cells die and fatty tissue is broken down as lipase is released from cells and break down triglycerides into fatty acids, which bind calcium forming a chalky, soapy looking residue; typically results from trauma to pancreas, breast tissue, or mesentery

free radicals

are formed in the mitochondria during normal metabolic function and are neutralized by antioxidants. However, the body can no longer eliminate them if they are produced excessively, in which oxidative stress occurs and cells are damaged. In addition, neutrophils will release large amounts of ROS (Reactive Oxidative Species) in response to an infection. Free radicals are molecules that have an unpaired electron, which typically makes them very reactive, potentially causing damage to DNA, proteins, and cell membranes

gangrene

necrotic tissue (dead cells) that can or have been invaded by bacteria causing the body tissue to die. Often occurs in the fingers and limbs where there has been a loss of blood supply.

homeostasis

the ability (of the body) to remain in a state of equilibrium despite changes within a given circumstance/situation

hormonal hyperplasia

the stimulation of cell mitosis by hormones (e.g. estrogen stimulation of breast and uterine tissue)

hyperplasia

the enlargement of an organ or tissue due to an increase in the rate of reproduction of its cells

hypertrophy

cells enlarge; e.g. muscle cells get bigger as they ramp up production of myosin and actin to lift more load. Hypertrophy is reversible, can be pathological (abnormal/bad) in response to disease, or physiological (normal/good) in response to healthy use

hypoxia

decreased oxygenation of your tissue, usually due to ischemia or excessive edema

iatrogenic

a disease caused by treatment or a medical therapy

idiopathic

a disease arising from an unknown cause

incidence

the frequency of an undesirable thing (e.g. disease or disorder)

incubation period

the period between when someone gets infected by a pathogen and when first signs and symptoms appear

infarction

death of tissue due to a lack of blood flow

insidious

slow, gradual onset of damage or disease

ischemia

lack of blood flow to an area of tissue, usually caused by damage or blockage (clot, plaque) to the blood vessel that supplies that area. eg. ischemia to the heart= angina or heart attack

latent

is present/dormant, without signs or symptoms so has yet to be discovered (could refer to an infection or other disease/disorder)

lesion

a portion of an organ or tissue that has been damaged or showing abnormal changes due to an injury or disease

local signs

signs that indicate there is a local infection (or region of damage) within a certain region or area of the body. These signs can include swelling, heat, redness, pain and temporary loss of function to the site of infection/damage.

lysis

the breakdown and death of a cell, often caused by specific bacteria and viruses

macroscopic

visible to the naked eye without the use of a microscope

manifestations

signs and symptoms of a particular illness/disease. These signs and symptoms may be local or systemic.

metaplasia

when one adult cell type is replaced by another adult cell type. Metaplasia typically takes place in response to inflammation or irritation, therefore, a more suitable cell type is substituted to survive under the changed circumstances.

microscopic

only visible with the use of a microscope

morbidity

rate of disease

mortality

rate of death

necrosis

tissue/organ death that can be from many different types of external/internal causes

neoplasm

new growth, can be benign or malignant

notifiable (reportable) diseases

infectious disease that have been identified by our provinces, territories and federal government which are made priorities for monitoring and control efforts

pandemic

an outbreak of a disease that has spread across a large region or potentially worldwide

pathogen

any microorganism (bacteria, fungi, viruses) that causes a disease

pathogenesis

how a disease begins and develops

pathologic hyperplasia

an increase in amount of cells for abnormal reasons such as the formation of skin warts due to production of growth factors from viruses such as papillomaviruses

pathology

study of cell/tissue changes due to disease

pathophysiology

the study of changes in physiology as a result of a disease

precipitating factor

a condition or an event that triggers the onset of an acute episode. For example: having an angina attack after shoveling snow

predisposing factors

risk factors (eg. age, gender, family history, diet, occupation)

prevalence

how common a disorder/disease is in a population

prodromal period

the first time one notices symptoms or is aware of an infection.

prognosis

a prediction of the possible developments of a disease. Such as, if signs or symptoms of a disease get worse or improve.

prophylactic medications

medications that are designed to prevent a disease or other problems from happening.

remission

a decrease or absence of signs and symptoms of a past or current illness.

sequelae

a long-term condition which is the consequence of a disease.

sign

indicator of disease that can be observed by someone else ie: redness, swelling, fever ( via thermometer)

subclinical

there are no symptoms of a disease yet. If a doctor were to do standardized testing, nothing would be found.

symptoms

is any personalized affirmation of a disease, only the patient can perceive symptoms. For example, a headache can only be observed by the patient

syndrome

a medical condition characterized by particular set of signs and symptoms.

systemic signs

general objective indicators of a disease that has affected multiple parts of the body (i.e. fever).

therapy (therapeutic measures)

actions that can be taken to relieve pain, treat injury and restore the body to its healthiest state.