DDT.1 Flashcards
(41 cards)
WHAT iS Meant BY ‘Disease’?
‘Any disturbance of the structure or function of the body’
‘A structural and functional change in the body that is harmful to the organism’
Is every change a disease?
No…
Some changes are normal: body cells, tissues and organs adjust to minor
fluctuations in their environment and maintain homeostatsis or balance.
Certain times major changes occur naturally; pregnancy and puberty
Pathology
study of disease
Pathologist vs Clinician
Pathologist: physician who specializes in diagnosing and classifying diseases by studying the morphology of cells and tissues
Clinician: physician/health care professional that cares for patients
Symptoms vs Signs
Symptoms: subjective manifestations such as pain or weakness
Signs: physical findings or objective manifestations such as swelling or redness
Symptomatic vs Asymptomatic disease
Symptomatic disease: with symptoms and/or signs
Asymptomatic disease: no signs or symptoms
Distinction between asymptomatic and symptomatic depends on extent. Early stages of disease, usually asymptomatic. If not treated, progresses to symptomatic.
Etiology
cause of disease
Etiologic agent
Agent responsible for causing disease.
Pathogenesis
Process of development of disease.
Pathogen
Any microorganism that causes disease.
Chronic vs Acute Disease
A chronic condition develops and worsens over an extended period of time, as in atherosclerosis.
An acute condition symptoms appear and change or worsen rapidly, as in a heart attack.
What are the 5 main ways to classify a disease?
- Congenital and hereditary diseases
- Inflammatory diseases
- Degenerative diseases
- Metabolic diseases
- Neoplastic diseases
- Congenital and hereditary diseases
“Developmental disturbances”
Causes: genetic abnormalities; abnormalities in chromosome number or distribution; intrauterine injury; interaction of genetic and environmental factors.
–> Hemophilia (hereditary),
–> German measles (congenital)
- Inflammatory diseases
Body reacts to injury through an inflammatory process
- Bacteria or microbiologic agents: sore throat
- Allergic reaction: hay fever
- Autoimmune diseases: SLE, diabetes type 1
- Unknown etiology
- Degenerative diseases
Tissue or organ degeneration as a result of aging or breakdown.
–> Osteoarthritis, atherosclerosis, osteoporosis
- Metabolic diseases
“Disturbance in metabolic process in body”
–> Hyper- or hypothyroidism, fluid and electrolyte imbalance.
- Neoplastic diseases
“Uncontrolled cell growth”
Benign: lipoma
Malignant: Lung cancer
Basis of classification
1. Similarity of lesions
2. Similarity of pathogenesis
Diagnosis
Determination of nature and cause of illness.
- Clinical history
- Physical examination
- Differential diagnosis
Prognosis
Eventual outcome of disease.
Specific treatment vs Symptomatic treatment
Specific treatment – directed at underlying cause.
Symptomatic treatment – alleviates symptoms but does not influence course of disease.
Clinical History
- History of current illness:
Severity, time of onset, and character of patient’s symptoms. - Medical history:
Details of general health and previous illnesses that may shed light on current problems. - Family history:
Health of patient’s parents and family members; diseases that run in families. - Social history:
Patient’s occupation, habits, alcohol and tobacco consumption, general health, current problems. - Review of symptoms:
Symptoms other than disclosed in history of present illness, suggesting other parts of the body affected by disease.
Physical Exam
Systematic examination of patient, with emphasis on parts of body affected by illness.
- Abnormalities noted correlated with clinical history.
Differential diagnosis
Consideration of various diseases or conditions that may also explain patient’s symptoms and signs.
Diagnostic possibilities narrowed by selected laboratory tests or other diagnostic procedures.
Opinion of medical consultant may be sought.
What are Diagnostic Tests?
Screening tests for detection of disease - Detect early asymptomatic diseases amenable to treatment to prevent or minimize late-stage organ damage.
