Pathology Chapter 2 Mechanism of Disease

Predisposing factors

- risk factors for disease

- examples include age, gender, lifestyle, socioeconomic status, hereditary, physical activity, and environment

At what age does aging become more evident?

approximately 30 years

What changes occur in cellular metabolism with aging?

metabolic changes and damage continue

What is happening to the average human lifespan?

it is increasing

Who typically lives longer, women or men?

women live longer than men

Aging is believed to occur either through

- genetic programming which predetermines the rate of cellular death (apoptosis)

- stressors of life

- acumulation of wastes

- degeneration of collagen and elastin

Free radicals are reactive chemicals

produced during cell metabolism that damage nucleic acids and cells

Changes in cardiovascular system with age

- fatty tissue/cholesterol accumulate

- heart valves and atrial walls thickens

- oxygen supply decreases

Changes in endocrine system with age

less responsive to hormones

Changes in GI with age

- saliva decreases

- periodontal disease increases

- obesity is common

- essential nutrients are not absorbed properly

Changes to integumentary system with age

- skin/mucosal surfaces become more fragile

- wounds heal slower/ lesions proliferate

- fibers decrease in number and in flexility

- hair becomes gray and thin

Changes in musculoskeletal system with age

- bone mass decreases (which makes fractures more common)

- cartilage degenerates (more likely to herniate a disc)

Changes in neurologic system with age

- brain mass decreases

- less responsive to neurotransmitters

- sensory function decreases

Changes in reproductive system with age

- women: menopause, decrease in breast tissue, hot flashes

- men: less sperm production

Changes in urinary system with age

- kidneys degenerate

- bladder function decreases

- muscles weaken

Changes in respiratory system with age

- vascular degeneration occurs

- skeletal muscle weakens

- lung tissue elasticity decreases

The most common disease affecting women and men is

heart disease

Men are more likely than women to get which disease

kidney disease

Environmental risk factors include

- air and water pollution

- poor sanitization

- poor living conditions

- harsh locations

- noise

- chronic stress

Common air pollutants include

- ozone

- particulate matter

- nitrogen oxides

- carbon monoxide

- sodium dioxide

- lead

Family history of many diseases can make family members

more likely to develop them

Likelihood of developing a hereditary disease may be increased by

- smoking

- high fat diet

- lack of exercise

Lifestyle components increasing disease risks include

- dangerous job

- smoking

- use of illegal drugs

- promiscuous sexual behavior

- excessive alcohol use

- lack of exercise

- poor diet

- psychological stressors

Regular exercise can help prevent which diseases

- heart disease

- obesity

- back pain

- osteoporosis

- stroke

- diabetes

What percentage of men and women do not exercise daily?

more than 60%

How does socioeconomic status affect a person's ability to develop a disease?

- chronic disease is 3x more likely amongst people in a low socioeconomic class than those in a higher class

- diagnosis and treatment may be delayed due to lack of income and health insurance

What disease is characterized by uncontrolled cell proliferation?

cancer

A neoplasm is

another word for "tumor"

Malignant tumors normally develop

- more quickly than benign tumors

- often invade surrounding tissue via the bloodstream or lymphatic vessels

Genetic diseases often involve abnormalities of

genes or chromosomes

Common genetic diseases include

- cancer

- kidney disease

- coronary disease

- various arthritic diseases

Immune disorders result from

the body's natural defense system breaking down

The three types of immune disorders are

- hypersensitivity

- immunodeficiency

- autoimmune diseases

Common symptoms of infection include

- redness

- heat

- fever

- swelling

- pus

- pain

- enlarged lymph nodes

- red streaking of the skin

The source of an infection may be

endogenous (from within the body) or exogenous (from outside of the body)

Inflammation when acute is

normal protective physiologic response to disease and tissue injury

Repair and replacement of damaged tissue begins

after the mechanisms of inflammation have removed damaging microorganisms

Diets high in fruits and vegetables and low in saturated fats and unprocessed carbohydrates are associated with

lower health risks

The most significant diseases related to diet include

- cancer

- cardiovascular disease

- obesity

- diabetes

- osteoporosis

Medicine focusing on obesity is known as

bariatrics

Obesity is indicated by a body mass index greater than or equal to

30 kilograms per square meter

Nearly what percent of adults are overweight or obese

65%

Obesity is a known risk factor for

hormone related cancers

In children and young adults what is the most common cause of death?

physical trauma

Potentially dangerous chemical agents include

- poisons

- pollutants

- drugs

- preservatives

- cosmetics

- dyes

Examples of domestic violence can include

- physical abuse

- mental abuse

- sexual abuse

- stalking

- neglect

Common symptoms related to child abuse includes a history of frequent illness related to the

ears, throat, lungs, chest, and/or GI tract

Shaken baby syndrome results in

retinal hemorrhage and signs of traumatic brain injury

Elder abuse can be defined as

intentional or negligent acts by caretakers or others that cause harm or serious risk of harm to older patients (60+)

Mental disorders include

- dementia

- grief response

- mood disorders

- somatoform disorders

Coping mechanisms are also known as

relief behaviors

Severe prolonged stress or multiple stressors may result in serious consequences such as

acute renal failure or a peptic ulcer

During the assessment of a patient's mental status, what is observed?

- appearance

- behavior

- communication

- judgement

- mood

- thought processes

PTA's can help patients manage their stress with

- self regulation

- assessing readiness to change before altering routines

- promoting wellness and strategies that are correct

- providing opportunities for self efficacy

- providing coping measures