Pathophysiology and Disease Process – Common Conditions, Diagnostics, and Epidemiology

Vocabulary flashcards summarizing common diseases, diagnostic tools, and public-health terms from the lecture on pathophysiology and disease processes.

Cellulitis

Bacterial infection of connective tissue causing red, swollen, hot skin—commonly due to Streptococcus or Staphylococcus.

Dermatitis

Inflammatory skin reaction producing red, itchy rash, often triggered by specific allergens.

Eczema

Chronic inflammatory skin disease with red, itchy, vesicular lesions; influenced by genetic and environmental factors.

Basal Cell Carcinoma

Common skin cancer presenting as a waxy bump or non-healing sore caused by UVB damage to basal cells.

Melanoma

Malignant skin tumor identified by ABCD changes in a mole (Asymmetry, Border, Color, Diameter) linked to UV exposure.

Sprain

Ligament injury from a joint forced beyond its normal range, producing pain, swelling, and bruising.

Osteoporosis

Progressive loss of bone mineral density leading to fragile bones and fracture risk; confirmed with DEXA scan.

Osteoarthritis

Degenerative joint disease characterized by cartilage breakdown and joint stiffness, pain, and limited flexibility.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Autoimmune systemic arthritis beginning in small joints, causing pain, swelling, and decreased mobility.

Gout

Joint inflammation, often in big toe, from uric acid crystal deposition causing red, hot, swollen joint.

Muscular Dystrophy

Genetic disorder causing progressive muscle weakness and degeneration of muscle fibers.

Myopathy

General term for muscle disease causing weakness, cramps, or spasms from varied underlying causes.

Myalgia

Broad term for muscle pain due to injury, infection, overuse, or medications.

Repetitive Stress Disorder (RSD)

Musculoskeletal injury from repetitive motions leading to pain, tingling, and swelling in affected area.

Shin Splint

Painful inflammation of tibia and surrounding tissues from repetitive lower-leg stress.

Anemia

Deficit in red blood cell number or hemoglobin causing fatigue, dizziness, and cold extremities.

Atherosclerosis

Hardening and narrowing of arteries from fatty deposits, precipitating chest pain and TIAs.

Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)

Heart’s inability to pump adequately, leading to fatigue, edema, and shortness of breath.

Hemophilia

Inherited deficiency of blood-clotting factors resulting in excessive bleeding and easy bruising.

Hypertension

Chronically elevated blood pressure often asymptomatic but risking cardiovascular damage.

Myocardial Infarction

Death of heart muscle (heart attack) due to coronary artery occlusion causing acute chest pain.

Acute Renal Failure

Sudden loss of kidney filtration leading to fluid retention, decreased urine, and toxin buildup.

Chronic Renal Failure

Progressive, irreversible decline in kidney function commonly from diabetes or hypertension.

Renal Calculi (Kidney Stones)

Crystalline deposits in urinary tract causing severe flank pain and hematuria.

Urinary Incontinence

Loss of bladder control resulting in unintentional urine leakage.

Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

Bacterial infection (often E. coli) of urinary system causing dysuria and frequent urge.

Appendicitis

Inflamed appendix causing right-lower-quadrant pain, nausea, and fever; treated surgically.

Celiac Disease

Autoimmune intolerance to gluten damaging small intestine and impairing nutrient absorption.

Colorectal Cancer

Malignancy of colon or rectum; risk factors include high-fat diet and inflammatory bowel disease.

Diverticulosis/Diverticulitis

Colon wall pouches that may inflame, causing left-lower-quadrant pain, fever, and nausea.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

Backflow of stomach acid into esophagus causing heartburn and dysphagia.

Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)

Severe lung injury with alveolar fluid buildup causing rapid breathing and hypoxia.

Asthma

Chronic airway inflammation and bronchoconstriction leading to wheezing and shortness of breath.

Bronchitis

Inflammation of bronchial tubes producing cough and mucus; acute viral or chronic smoking related.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Irreversible airflow limitation typically from smoking-induced bronchitis and emphysema.

Rhinitis

Inflamed nasal mucosa causing sneezing, runny nose, and watery eyes; often allergic.

Alzheimer’s Disease

Progressive neurodegenerative dementia with memory loss and cognitive decline.

Cerebral Concussion

Mild traumatic brain injury causing headache, dizziness, and visual disturbances.

Sciatica

Radiating pain along sciatic nerve from lumbar compression such as herniated disc.

Cerebrovascular Accident (Stroke)

Brain damage from interrupted blood flow or hemorrhage; symptoms follow FAST acronym.

Shingles

Painful, band-like blistering rash from reactivation of varicella zoster virus.

Cushing Syndrome

Hyper-cortisol state producing central obesity (‘buffalo hump’) and muscle loss, often from steroid overuse.

Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic β-cells causing absolute insulin deficiency.

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Insulin resistance leading to relative insulin deficiency, linked to obesity and lifestyle.

Hyperthyroidism

Excess thyroid hormone causing weight loss, tachycardia, and heat intolerance.

Hypothyroidism

Deficient thyroid hormone leading to fatigue, weight gain, and dry skin.

Graves’ Disease

Autoimmune hyperthyroidism with goiter and exophthalmos (bulging eyes).

Candidiasis

Yeast (Candida albicans) overgrowth causing itching and white vaginal discharge.

Ectopic Pregnancy

Non-uterine implantation of zygote—commonly in fallopian tube—causing abdominal pain and bleeding.

Endometriosis

Ectopic growth of endometrial tissue causing pelvic pain and infertility.

Genital Herpes

Sexually transmitted HSV infection with painful genital sores and recurrent outbreaks.

Inguinal Hernia

Intestinal protrusion through abdominal wall in groin producing bulge and discomfort.

Cryptorchidism

Undescended testicle not located in scrotum by six months of age.

Testicular Torsion

Twisting of spermatic cord cutting blood flow, causing sudden severe testicular pain.

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)

Non-cancerous enlargement of prostate leading to urinary obstruction in older men.

Diagnostic Imaging

Use of modalities such as x-ray, CT, MRI, or ultrasound to visualize internal structures.

Contrast Material

Substances like barium or iodine used to make body structures radiopaque for imaging clarity.

Nuclear Medicine

Diagnostic imaging using radioactive tracers (e.g., PET, SPECT, MUGA) to assess organ function.

X-ray

Radiologic imaging using ionizing radiation to capture images of dense body structures.

Computed Tomography (CT)

Cross-sectional x-ray imaging producing detailed 3-D views of internal anatomy.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Imaging technique using magnetic fields and radio waves—no ionizing radiation.

Ultrasound

Imaging using high-frequency sound waves to visualize soft tissues without radiation.

PET Scan

Positron emission tomography using radiotracers to evaluate metabolic activity, often in tumors.

SPECT Scan

Single-photon emission computed tomography assessing blood flow, e.g., after stroke.

MUGA Scan

Multi-gated acquisition scan measuring heart wall motion and ejection fraction.

Epidemic

Rapid spread of a disease to many individuals in a community or region.

Pandemic

Worldwide outbreak of a disease affecting large populations across countries or continents.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

U.S. agency monitoring and controlling disease outbreaks and providing health guidance.

World Health Organization (WHO)

United Nations agency coordinating international public health efforts and disease surveillance.

HCPCS

Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System

Supplies, procedures, Other services not in the CPT (transport)

CPT Codes

Current Procedural Terminology Codes

Medical services, Procedures performed by the provider

ICD-10-CM

International Classification of Diseases - 10th Edition - Clinical Modification

e.g. Diseases, Injuries, Medical conditions, Patient status affecting health care, Other reasons for health care encounters