HOSA - Disease Process & Terminology (Pathophysiology)

Pathology

the scientific study of disease

Pathogenesis

development of disease

Symptoms vs Signs

Symptoms \= subjective sensation that the person feels from the disorder.
Sign \= objective abnormality; seen by examiner

Acute vs. Chronic

acute \= abrupt onset, resolves fast
chronic \= slow, intermittent (\>6months)

predisposing factors

Tendencies that promote development of a disease in an individual (Age, Gender, Lifestyle, Environment, and Heredity.)

inflammitory response

acute inflammation: redness, swelling, pain, and loss of function.
widespread inflammation: fever, malaise, loss of appetite.
inflammatory response: nonspecific immune response

infection

caused by pathogens.
local infection: redness, swelling, heat, pain, fever, pus, red streaks
widespread infection: fever, headache, body aches.
can be within the body (endogenous) or outside the body (exogenous).
MRSA \= methicillin resistant strains of bacteria, its antibiotic resistant.

Body's natural defenses

Natural mechanics and chemical barriers (Skin + Ph) inflammatory responses, and immune response.

genetic diseases

disease caused by abnormality in genetic code of single or several genes, absence or presence of chromosomes, or alteration in the structure of chromosomes. (there are 23 chromosomes, one part of a chromosome is from mom and the other is from dad. X and Y chromosomes are called sex chromosomes, others are called autosomes.)

genetic couseling

a communication process centered on occurrence or risk of occurrence of a genetic disorder. bridges gaps between medical/scientific concepts and emotional aspects.

cancer

uncontrolled cell proliferation.
neoplasm \= relentlessly growing mass of abnormal cells.
metastases \= secondary tumors, more difficult to eradicate from body.
tumor markers allow screening tests to detect tumor cells, which helps determine diagnosis and response to therapy.

Main types of cancer

Carcinoma - Epithelial Cells
Sarcoma - Supportive Tissues
Lymphoma - Lymph nodes + immune system tissues.
Leukemia - Blood Cell Precursors
Melanoma - Melanin Producing cells

Staging

Methods used to reflect tumor size and extent of tumor spread.
TNM system
T- Size or extent of the tumor
N- Regional lymph node involvement of the tumor
M- Number of distance metastases.
I is a early stage tumor, IV is most advanced stage.

Grading

Well differentiated \= low grade tumor cells, still retain features of of original tissue cells.
Poorly differentiated \= high grade tumor cells, do not resemble tissue from where they are derived.

disgnosis of a disease

• Obtain medical history. (find risk factors, drug allergies, present therapy, onset of symptoms.)
• Perform physical examination. (Inspection, Auscultation, Palpation, and Percussion.)
• Obtain diagnostic studies/tests. (Microscopic examination, chemical analysis, radiographic studies, body scans, endoscopy, or ultrasonography.)
• Compare with normal findings, integrate and interpret, formulate diagnosis, treatment plan, prognosis, and prevention.
•Provide patient teaching, pertinent information, appropriate referral.

treatment of a disease

can be to cure or control symptoms, or to be supportive. Ex: Preventative measures, therapeutic procedure, medications, measures for relief of pain, surgery, physical therapy, diet modification, psychotherapy, patient education, follow up care.

pain

There are many different interpretations for pain based on cultural values, past experiences, religious beliefs, emotional support, anxiety. Variety of pain rating scales exist to measure an individuals perception of pain.

physiology of pain

Nociceptors \= pain receptors
Nociceptors react to stimuli like temperature extremes, mechanical damage, or dissolved chemicals.

Non Traditional Medicines

Osteopathy, Chiropractic Medicine, Massage, Reflexology, Aromatherapy, Herbs, Diet and Nutrition, Acupuncture, Acupressure, Therapeutic touch, Shiatsu, Magnetic therapy, Hypnosis, Hypnotherapy, Prayer, Reiki, Music therapy

necrosis

tissue death

immunosenescence

gradual deterioration of the functions of the immune system

Hgb

measurement of hemoglobin

Hematocrit

percentage of blood volume occupied by red blood cells

glycohemoglobin

hemoglobin with attached glucose

ESR

rate at which rbc fall out of whole blood to the bottom of the test tube

GTT

fasting blood glucose levels

C-reactive protein

Measures inflammation (CHD causes inflammation)

Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG)

record of the electrical activity of the heart

echocardiogram

The ultrasound examination of cardiac structures

MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)

uses a magnetic field to visualize internal structures

CT (computerized tomography) scan

radiographic using a scanner system

remission

when signs and symptoms of a disease disappear (not a cure)

exacerbation

signs and symptoms grow in severity

relapse

signs and symptoms return

complication

a related disease or other abnormal state that develops in a person already suffering from a disease

sequela

aftermath of a disease

Morbidity

rate of disease in a population

prevalence

rate of disease at a particular time

etiology

cause of a disease

idiopathic disease

a disease that develops without a known or apparent cause

congenital

present at birth

degenerative

function or structure of the affected tissues or organs progressively deteriorates over time

inflammatory, autoimmune, allergies.

result of abnormal immune system function

neoplastic

results from abnormal growth that leads to the formation of tumors

metabolic

disruption of normal metabolism, the process of converting food to energy on a cellular level

traumatic

physical/chemical injury

palliative treatment

Treatment that does not alter the course of the disease, but improves the quality of life.

asymptomatic

without symptoms

allergen

A substance that causes an allergy

Anaphalaxis

Severe allergic reaction

Antigen

substance that triggers an immune response

Ausultation

examination with stethoscope: the act of listening to the sounds made by a patient's internal organs.

Cachexia

weakness and wasting of the body due to malnutrition, or diseases like cancer and tuberculosis

Carcinogenic

causing cancer

Chromosomes

structures in the nucleus of a cell that function in transmission of genetic information

Genotype

genetic code

Homeostasis

the process by which an organism maintains equilibrium/internal stability.

Hospice

A concept of care that involves health professionals and volunteers who provide medical, psychological, and spiritual support to terminally ill patients and their loved ones.

Ischemia

obstruction of blood flow

Karyotype

an ordered arrangement of photographs of a full chromosome set

Mutation

A change in genetic structure

oncogene

A gene in a virus which can prompt a cell to become malignant

Palpation

To examine by feeling with fingers/hands during a physical examination.

Percussion

Tapping body parts with fingers/hands/a small instrument during a physical examination.

Phagocyte

The process by which cells surround and digest certain particles. (Eg: Bacteria, Protozoa, Debris)

Probiotic

A substance which stimulates the growth of microorganisms with beneficial properties. (such as those of the intestinal flora)

Somatoform

psychogenic symptoms without an underlying disease process

Acetabulum

The cup-shaped cavity in which the ball-shaped head of the femur articulates (Hip Socket)

Acyanotic

Absence of a bluish appearance of the skin and mucous membranes

Adenocarcinoma

cancerous tumor of glandular tissue

Amniocentesis

Taking a fluid sample from the amniotic sac between the 15th and 18th week of pregnancy.

Anencephalic

An infant with an underdeveloped skull and/or underdeveloped brain.

Ataxic

an uncoordinated gait associated with pathology of the central nervous system

azoospermia

An absence of Spermatozoa in semen

Bicornuate uterus

Malformed uterus with horn-shaped shaped branches.

Contracture

immobility of muscles or a joint caused by shortening or wasting of tissue or muscle fibers

Dysplasia

abnormal development or growth of cells, tissues, or organs

Dystrophy

a disorder in which an organ or tissue of the body wastes away

Electromyography (EMG)

An electrodiagnostic assessment of the activity of the skeletal muscles.

formen ovale

An opening in the septum between the right and left atria of the fetal heart.

Meconium

The first stool of a newborn, greenish black with a tarry consistancy.

Meninges

Three layers of membranes which protect the brain. The inner layer is Pia Mater, the middle layer is the arachnoid, and the tough layer is called Dura matter.

Neonates

A newborn

pylorus

The narrow part of the stomach toward the duodenum.

Stenosis

narrowing

Syncope

fainting

Tachypnea

rapid, shallow breathing

Trisomy

one or more than the normal number of chromosomes

Escherichia Coli (E.coli)

Found in colon/manure. Causes mild to severe enteritis.

Staphylococcus Aureus (Staph Aureus)

Found in skin, hair, and nasal passages. Causes wound infection, pneumonia, food poisoning, and cellulitis.

Streptococcus A (Strep A)

Found in Oropharynx, skin, and perianal area. Causes strep throat, rheumatic fever, scarlet fever, and impetigo.

Streptococcus B (Strep B)

Found on the adult genitalia. Causes UTI, wound infection, and endometritis.

Clostridium difficile (C. difficile)

Found on contaminated surfaces or spores, transferred on unclean hands of others. Causes serious intestinal conditions such as colitis.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Found in the lungs. Causes tuberculosis.

Nesseria gonorrhoeae

Found in the genitourinary tract, rectum, mouth, or eye. Causes Gonorrhea, pelvic inflammatory disease, infectious arthritis, conjunctivitis.

Rickettsia Rickettsii

Found on wood ticks, causes rocky mountain spotted fever.

Staphylococcus Epidermis

found on the skin, causes wound infection and bacteremia.

Pseudomonas Aeruginosa

Found in skin, water, and soil, causes Pneumonia, Urinary tract infection, and meningitis.

Hepatitis A Virus

Found in feces, blood, and urine. Causes Hepatitis A (infectious hepatitis)

Hepatitis B Virus

Found in feces, blood, basically all body fluid excretions/fluids. Causes Hepatitis B (Serum Hepatitis)