Pathophysiology
the study of mechanisms of disease
Pathology
the study of changes in cells and tissues as a result of injury or disease
Physiology
the study of body functions
Pathogenesis
the origin and development of disease
Aetiology
study of the precise cause of the disease
Idiopathic
When there is no known aetiology
iatrogenic
diseases caused as a result of a medical treatment
precipitating factors
triggers that promote the onset of clinical manifestations
local manifestations
- refers to manifestations that are found directly at the site of the disease and are confined to that specific area
- e.g. confined redness, swelling, bruising, or pain
systemic’ manifestations
- “refers to manifestations present throughout the body and are not confined to one area”
- e.g. fever, lethargy, generalised body aching, high blood pressure
acute manifestations
- “refers to manifestations or acute diseases that begin abruptly and last a few days to a few months”
- e.g. cold
insidious
develops gradually
remissions
symptom-free periods during chronic diseases
asymptomatic
when a person does not have any noticeable symptoms although diagnostic tests may indicate that the disease is present
diagnosis
the identification of a disease
prognosis
- the forecast or prediction of how an individual will proceed through the disease process”
- excellent prognosis = most likely to recover completely
morbidity
refers to the negative outcomes of disease complications that impact the quality of life
epidemiology
the study of disease in populations
incidence
rate of occurrence of disease at any given time
- e.g. 1 in 200,000
prevalence
- the number or percentage of a population living with a particular disease at a given time
endemic
when the incidence and prevalence of a disease is predictable
epidemic
a dramatic increase in disease incidence in a population
pandemic
when an epidemic spreads across continents
clinical manifestations
the presenting signs and symptoms of the disease
