Introduction to Pathophysiology

 Chapter -1

INTRODUCTION TO PATHOPHYSIOLOGY

Introduction

Pathophysiology is a modern integrative biomedical science founded on basic and clinical research concerned with the mechanisms responsible for the initiation, development, and treatment of pathological processes in humans and animals. There are two separate medical fields involved in pathophysiology. The first is physiology, the study of the body and its functions. The second is pathology, the study of disease and its impact on the body. When combined, pathophysiology means to know the way in which a disease progresses and to predict the next stage of a disease, which provides appropriate care to the patient.

 Pathophysiology is 'the study of the changes of normal mechanical, physical and biochemical functions, either caused by a disease or resulting from an abnormal syndrome'. When something disrupts normal physiological processes, it enters the realm of pathophysiology. It looks at the specific malfunctioning that comes from or alternately causes disease. The study of pathology and the study of pathophysiology often involves substantial overlap in diseases and processes, but pathology emphasizes direct observations, while pathophysiology emphasizes quantifiable measurements. An example from the field of infectious disease would be the study of a toxin released by a bacterium, and what that toxin does to the body to cause harm, one possible result being sepsis. Another example is the study of the chemical changes that take place in body tissue due to inflammation. Following are important aspects among pathophysiology and related subjects.

Biology:

Biology is a natural science. It is the study of life and living organisms, including their structure, function, growth, evolution, distribution and taxonomy. Pathological processes begin frequently at the cell level. 

Anatomy and histology:

Macro and micro structural properties of the human body are essential for understanding their pathology.

Biochemistry:

Biochemistry is the branch of science that explores the chemical processes within and related to living organisms. It is a laboratory-based science that brings together biology and chemistry. By using chemical knowledge and techniques, biochemists can understand and solve biological problems. Biochemical processes are changed under pathological condition.  

Biophysics:

Biophysical properties of cells, tissues and organs determine their structural and functional characteristics.

Physiology: 

It is the branch of biology dealing with the functions and activities of living organisms and their parts, including all physical and chemical processes. It is helpful to recognize pathologic functions.

Pathological anatomy: 

The ultrastructural and macro structural changes under pathological conditions help to understand functional changes and vice versa. 

Microbiology and immunology: 

It helps to understand the mechanisms involved in development of disease caused mainly by pathogenic micro-organisms and disorders of immune system.

Etiology: 

Etiology is a branch of medical science dealing with the causes and origin of diseases.

Pathogenesis: 

Pathogenesis means the gradual development of a disease and the chain of events leading to disease in response to etiologic factor.

Clinical manifestations: 

These are the observable symptoms by which a disease may be diagnosed by a physician. Clinical presentations are the whole package of the disease process including epidemiology, history, physical examination and laboratory tests etc.

Need of pathophysiology study:

It helps the health care professionals to find answers to important questions related to disease processes:
 (a) What are the cause/causes of the disease, and why the disease is developing? 
 (b) What are the mechanisms responsible for disease onset, progression and recovery?
 (c) What are the mechanisms responsible for development of symptoms and signs of disease? 

It is important to understand the causes and mechanisms of the disease to find the way how to treat them safe and effectively.

In the clinical setting, pathologists, histotechnologists and cytotechnologist study tissues and cells to establish the cause of a disease. Physicians use that information to form a treatment plan. 

Pathophysiology is a required area of study for nearly all healthcare professional school programs (medical, dental, physician assistant, occupational therapy, physical therapy, nurse practitioner, pharmacy, nursing, and paramedic programs) in the world.

 Other link

• INTRODUCTION TO PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
• BASIC PRINCIPLES OF CELL INJURY AND ADAPTATION 
• BASIC MECHANISM INVOLVED IN THE PROCESS OF INFLAMMATION, REPAIR AND ATHEROSCLEROSIS
• CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM  
• RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
• RENAL SYSTEM
• HAEMATOLOGICAL DISEASES
• ENDOCRINE SYSTEM
• NERVOUS SYSTEM
• GASTROINTESTINAL SYSTEM 
• INFLAMMATORY BOWEL AND LIVER DISEASES 
• DISEASES OF BONES AND JOINTS
• PRINCIPLES OF CANCER 
• INFECTIOUS DISEASES
• SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES