Chapter 1Chapter 1Introduction to DiseaseIntroduction to Disease

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Pathology at First GlancePathology at First Glance

Homeostasis: Homeostasis: internal stability of the bodyinternal stability of the body

Pathology:Pathology: abnormal condition causing abnormal condition causing measurable changes in structure and functionmeasurable changes in structure and function

Pathogenesis: Pathogenesis: development of disease in development of disease in stagesstages

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Pathology at First Glance Pathology at First Glance (cont’d.)(cont’d.)

Syndrome: Syndrome: Defined collection of signs and Defined collection of signs and symptoms that characterize a conditionsymptoms that characterize a condition

Diagnosis: Diagnosis: Use of scientific or clinical methodsUse of scientific or clinical methods to determine nature of the disease. Basis for to determine nature of the disease. Basis for

treatment based on exam, signs, symptoms. treatment based on exam, signs, symptoms. history, lab data, diagnostic tests.history, lab data, diagnostic tests.

Prognosis: Prognosis: Predicted course and outcome.Predicted course and outcome.

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Describing DiseaseDescribing Disease

SignsSigns Abnormal objective findingsAbnormal objective findings Examples: redness, swelling, purulent discharge, Examples: redness, swelling, purulent discharge,

fever, pulse, pallor.fever, pulse, pallor.

SymptomsSymptoms Subjective patient reportsSubjective patient reports Examples: difficulty swallowing, pain, fatigue, Examples: difficulty swallowing, pain, fatigue,

headache, dizziness, itching.headache, dizziness, itching.

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Describing Disease (cont)Describing Disease (cont)

Acute IllnessAcute Illness onset is usually abrupt onset is usually abrupt symptoms present themselves over hours to dayssymptoms present themselves over hours to days duration brief (<6 months)duration brief (<6 months)

Chronic IllnessChronic Illness onset is sloweronset is slower symptoms persist from acute/subacute phasessymptoms persist from acute/subacute phases duration indefinite (> 6 months)duration indefinite (> 6 months)

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Disease Disease

Remission: Remission: Signs and symptoms subside.Signs and symptoms subside. Exacerbation: Exacerbation: Signs and symptoms recur Signs and symptoms recur

in all severity during this period.in all severity during this period. Relapse:Relapse: Occurs when a disease returns Occurs when a disease returns

weeks or months after its apparent weeks or months after its apparent cessation.cessation.

Complication:Complication: Disease or other abnormal Disease or other abnormal state developing when a person already state developing when a person already suffers from another disease.suffers from another disease.

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Causes of DiseaseCauses of Disease

oEtiology: Etiology: Cause of a disease.Cause of a disease.

oIdiopathic: Idiopathic: The cause of the disease is The cause of the disease is not known.not known.

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Risk factors Risk factors

Predisposing FactorsPredisposing Factors ageage gendergender lifestylelifestyle environmentenvironment heredityheredity

Non-changeable predisposing factorsNon-changeable predisposing factors ageage gendergender heredityheredity

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Risk factors (cont)Risk factors (cont)

Changeable predisposing factorsChangeable predisposing factors LifestyleLifestyle

• physical abuse and violencephysical abuse and violence• poor nutritionpoor nutrition• tobacco, drugs, and alcoholtobacco, drugs, and alcohol

EnvironmentEnvironment• air and water pollutionair and water pollution• chronic stresschronic stress

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More Diagnosis InfoMore Diagnosis Info

Diagnosis of DiseaseDiagnosis of Disease medical historymedical history physical examphysical exam laboratory tests (blood count, chemistry, etc.)laboratory tests (blood count, chemistry, etc.) imaging tests (MRI, CT, X-ray, ultrasound, etc.)imaging tests (MRI, CT, X-ray, ultrasound, etc.) biopsybiopsy miscellaneous tests (pulmonary function, cultures, miscellaneous tests (pulmonary function, cultures,

etc.)etc.)

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Patient TeachingPatient Teaching

Goals of patient teachingGoals of patient teaching facilitate patient compliance with the medical facilitate patient compliance with the medical

treatment plantreatment plan clarify information and instructionsclarify information and instructions foster patient independence and responsibilityfoster patient independence and responsibility establish trusting, therapeutic relationshipestablish trusting, therapeutic relationship

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Patient Teaching Patient Teaching (cont’d.)(cont’d.)

Additional reasons for patient teachingAdditional reasons for patient teaching ease anxietyease anxiety facilitate greater sense of patient controlfacilitate greater sense of patient control improve patient/family copingimprove patient/family coping highlight goals for recovery or acceptancehighlight goals for recovery or acceptance reduce unnecessary clinic visits and reduce unnecessary clinic visits and

hospitalizationshospitalizations