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)