Pathophysiology
Pathophysiology Study Guide
Chapter 1 - Intro to Pathophysiology
Pathophysiology
● Pathophysiology - Deranged function in an individual or an organ due to a
disease Etiology Classifications
○ Idiopathic - Cause is unknown
○ Iatrogenic - Cause results from unintended or unwanted medical treatment
● Risk Factor: The chances of you getting something
○ A factor that when present increases the likelihood of disease
Stages and Clinical Course
● Latent Period
○ From Exposure of tissue to the injurious agent and first appearance of signs and/or symptoms
● Prodromal period
○ First signs and/or symptoms appear indicating the onset of disease
● Acute phase
○ Disease/illness reaches its full intensity
Stages and Clinical Course
● Exacerbation
○ A sudden increase in severity of disease or signs or symptoms
● Remission
○ Decrease in severity, signs, or symptoms; may indicate the disease is cured
● Convalescence
○ Stage of recovery after a disease, injury, or surgical procedure
● Sequela
○ Subsequent pathologic condition resulting from an illness
■ Ex. You fall take blunt force trauma to the head end up with brain fog
■ Sequela of having brain damage = brain fog
Levels of Prevention
● Primary
○ Altering susceptibility or reducing exposure for susceptible persons
○ Avoidance and Vaccination
● Secondary
○ Early detection, screening, and management of disease
○ Annual physicals, mole checks, mammograms
● Tertiary
○ Rehabilitation, supportive care, reducing disability, and restoring effective functioning
○ You’ve already had it, treating you trying to reduce the effects
Chapter 2: Homeostasis, Allostasis, and Adaptive Responses to Stressors
Homeostasis is stability
● A state in which all systems are in balance; Equilibrium
● An ideal “set point” despite alterations within the body
,Pathophysiology
Allostasis
,Pathophysiology
● Ability to adapt to changes and maintain an internal environment to support these changes, for
the purpose of survival and well being
Stress
● Physical, chemical, or emotional factor resulting in the tension of body or mind
● Not all Stress is harmful
General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) (Selye)
● 3 stages
○ Alarm - fight or flight as a response to stressful stimulus; Homeostasis is thrown off
○ Resistance/ Adaptation - In the resistance alarm stage was survived and we went back to
homeo. Adaptation we have now learned to cope with a new balance; Resist having alarm
response OR adapt
■ Lifting weights causing an increase in muscle this is adaptation/resistance
○ Exhaustion - No longer able to return to homeo or allostasis. Wear and Tear; Disease sets in
■ Physical degradation of your body, emotional toll that high stress takes
● Allostatic overload: inadequate adaptation mechanisms or excessive allostatic load; results in inability to
maintain homeostasis
Neurohormonal Mediators of Stress and Adaptation - Secreted by Adrenal Glands
Catecholamines
● Sympathetico-adrenal system response mediates the fight-or-flight response
● Examples
○ Norepinephrine and epinephrine
Norepinephrine
● Constricts blood vessels and raises blood pressure
● Increases heart rate
● Reduces gastric secretions
● Increases night and far vision
Epinephrine
● Increases the release of glucose from the liver (glycogenolysis) and elevates blood glucose levels
● Increase heart rate
● Bronchodilation
● Increase blood sugar
● Increase blood pressure
Adrenocortical Steroids
● May synergize or antagonize effects of catecholamines
● Examples
○ Cortisol and aldosterone
Cortisol
● Primary glucocorticoid
● Affects protein metabolism, converts it to glucose, under high stress converts glucose to fat
● Increases blood sugar
● Promotes appetite and food-seeking behaviors
, Pathophysiology
● Has anti-inflammatory effects
Pathophysiology Study Guide
Chapter 1 - Intro to Pathophysiology
Pathophysiology
● Pathophysiology - Deranged function in an individual or an organ due to a
disease Etiology Classifications
○ Idiopathic - Cause is unknown
○ Iatrogenic - Cause results from unintended or unwanted medical treatment
● Risk Factor: The chances of you getting something
○ A factor that when present increases the likelihood of disease
Stages and Clinical Course
● Latent Period
○ From Exposure of tissue to the injurious agent and first appearance of signs and/or symptoms
● Prodromal period
○ First signs and/or symptoms appear indicating the onset of disease
● Acute phase
○ Disease/illness reaches its full intensity
Stages and Clinical Course
● Exacerbation
○ A sudden increase in severity of disease or signs or symptoms
● Remission
○ Decrease in severity, signs, or symptoms; may indicate the disease is cured
● Convalescence
○ Stage of recovery after a disease, injury, or surgical procedure
● Sequela
○ Subsequent pathologic condition resulting from an illness
■ Ex. You fall take blunt force trauma to the head end up with brain fog
■ Sequela of having brain damage = brain fog
Levels of Prevention
● Primary
○ Altering susceptibility or reducing exposure for susceptible persons
○ Avoidance and Vaccination
● Secondary
○ Early detection, screening, and management of disease
○ Annual physicals, mole checks, mammograms
● Tertiary
○ Rehabilitation, supportive care, reducing disability, and restoring effective functioning
○ You’ve already had it, treating you trying to reduce the effects
Chapter 2: Homeostasis, Allostasis, and Adaptive Responses to Stressors
Homeostasis is stability
● A state in which all systems are in balance; Equilibrium
● An ideal “set point” despite alterations within the body
,Pathophysiology
Allostasis
,Pathophysiology
● Ability to adapt to changes and maintain an internal environment to support these changes, for
the purpose of survival and well being
Stress
● Physical, chemical, or emotional factor resulting in the tension of body or mind
● Not all Stress is harmful
General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) (Selye)
● 3 stages
○ Alarm - fight or flight as a response to stressful stimulus; Homeostasis is thrown off
○ Resistance/ Adaptation - In the resistance alarm stage was survived and we went back to
homeo. Adaptation we have now learned to cope with a new balance; Resist having alarm
response OR adapt
■ Lifting weights causing an increase in muscle this is adaptation/resistance
○ Exhaustion - No longer able to return to homeo or allostasis. Wear and Tear; Disease sets in
■ Physical degradation of your body, emotional toll that high stress takes
● Allostatic overload: inadequate adaptation mechanisms or excessive allostatic load; results in inability to
maintain homeostasis
Neurohormonal Mediators of Stress and Adaptation - Secreted by Adrenal Glands
Catecholamines
● Sympathetico-adrenal system response mediates the fight-or-flight response
● Examples
○ Norepinephrine and epinephrine
Norepinephrine
● Constricts blood vessels and raises blood pressure
● Increases heart rate
● Reduces gastric secretions
● Increases night and far vision
Epinephrine
● Increases the release of glucose from the liver (glycogenolysis) and elevates blood glucose levels
● Increase heart rate
● Bronchodilation
● Increase blood sugar
● Increase blood pressure
Adrenocortical Steroids
● May synergize or antagonize effects of catecholamines
● Examples
○ Cortisol and aldosterone
Cortisol
● Primary glucocorticoid
● Affects protein metabolism, converts it to glucose, under high stress converts glucose to fat
● Increases blood sugar
● Promotes appetite and food-seeking behaviors
, Pathophysiology
● Has anti-inflammatory effects
