Patho/Pharm Basics of Patho (First class)

Pathophysiology Defined:
- "The study of when the body is in trouble"; focuses on dysfunctions and irregularities.
- Etiology: The cause of disease; risk factors include alcohol consumption, smoking, and high cholesterol.
- Pathogenesis: Development of disease over time; morphology refers to observable changes in cells and tissues.
- Symptoms vs. Signs: Symptoms are subjective reports from patients (e.g., headaches), whereas signs are objective findings (e.g., high blood pressure).
- Diagnosis: Involves checking lab values and the clinical course of disease progression.

Cellular Adaptation:
- Atrophy: Reversible process where cells shrink (e.g., muscle atrophy from disuse).
- Hypertrophy: Increase in cell size, which can be physiological (e.g., muscle growth) or pathological (e.g., heart enlargement).
- Hyperplasia: Increase in cell number, often related to an adaptive response (e.g., increased red blood cell production at high altitude).
Dysplasia and Metaplasia: Abnormal cell changes; dysplasia is an atypical development, while metaplasia refers to replacement of one type of cell with another type.

Ischemia vs. Anoxia:
- Ischemia refers to reduced blood flow; anoxia indicates a complete lack of oxygen, leading to irreversible damage.
Necrosis vs. Apoptosis:
- Necrosis: Premature cell death due to injury, leading to inflammation and loss of tissue function.
- Apoptosis: Programmed cell death; a natural and controlled process that eliminates old or damaged cells without causing inflammation.
Cellular Damage Causes:
- Biological agents (e.g., bacteria), physical agents (e.g., trauma), chemical agents (e.g., drugs), and nutritional imbalances can lead to cell injury.
Free Radicals and Oxidative Stress:
- Free radicals can induce cellular damage by stealing electrons from other molecules, leading to disrupted cellular function. Antioxidants in the body help manage these free radicals.

Attendance Importance: Regular attendance is critical due to the cumulative nature of the course material. Missed classes can lead to significant knowledge gaps.
Engagement with Materials: A strong emphasis on preparing beforehand, engaging with textbooks, and staying updated on Canvas announcements.
Adaptations for Accommodations: Students should communicate needs related to pacing or content accessibility early on to ensure proper accommodations.

Class Culture: Encouragement to foster a supportive environment where students feel comfortable expressing confusions and academic concerns.
Looking Ahead: Adjusted expectations with recognition of changes implemented based on prior semester feedback; commitment to a scope of learning that leads to student success in the field.