Pathophys

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Diagnosis

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refers to the identification of a specific disease through evaluation of signs and symptoms, laboratory tests, or other tools.

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Etiology

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concerns the causative factors in a particular disease

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idiopathic

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If the cause of a disease is unknown

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iatrogenic

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If a treatment, a procedure, or an error may cause a disease

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Pathogenesis

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refers to the development of the disease or the sequence of events involved in the tissue changes related to the specific disease process

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acute disease

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indicates a sudden, short—term illness with marked signs such as high fever or severe pain, for example, acute appendicitis.

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chronic disease

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is often a milder condition, such as rheumatoid arthritis, but it persists for a long time. Often a chronic disease is marked by intermittent acute episodes.

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subclinical state

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is where pathologic changes occur, but no obvious manifestations are exhibited by the patient

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latent stage

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stage, in which no clinical signs are evident

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incubation period

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the time between exposure to the microorganism and the onset of signs or symptoms.

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prodromal period

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comprises the time in the early development of a disease when one is aware of a change in the body, but the signs are nonspecific—for example, fatigue, loss of appetite, or headache.

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Manifestations

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are the clinical evidence or effects (signs and symptoms or S/S) of disease. Example: redness and swelling which may be local or found at the site of the problem

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Signs

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are objective indicators of disease that are obvious to someone other than the affected individual. Examples of a sign are fever or a skin rash

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Symptoms

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are subjective feelings, such as pain or nausea.

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Lesion

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describes a specific local change in the tissue. Such a change may be microscopic, as when liver cells are examined for pathologic change, or highly visible, such as a blister or pimple observed on the skin

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syndrome

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is a collection of signs and symptoms that usually occur together in response to a certain condition, e.g., Toxic shock syndrome.

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Diagnostic tests

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are laboratory tests that assist in the diagnosis of a specific disease

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Remissions

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During a remission, the manifestations of the disease subside

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exacerbations

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during an exacerbation the signs increase

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precipitating Factor

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is a condition that triggers an acute episode, such as a seizure in an individual with a seizure disorder

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Complications

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are new secondary or additional problems that arise after the original disease begins. For example, following a heart attack, a person may develop congestive heart failure, a complication.

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Therapy

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or therapeutic interventions are treatment measures used to promote recovery or to slow the progress of a disease.
Surgery, drugs, or behavior modification

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Convalescence

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is the period of recovery and return to the normal healthy state; may last for several days or months

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Prognosis

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defines the probability for recovery

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Mortality

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figures indicate the relative number of deaths resulting from a particular disease

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Epidemiology

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is the science of tracking the pattern or occurrence of disease. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia

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Epidemics

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occurs when there are many cases of an infectious disease within a given area

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Pandemics

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involve high numbers of cases in several regions and perhaps worldwide

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incidence

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of a disease indicates the number of new cases noted within a stated time period.

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Communicable

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diseases are infections that can be spread from one person to another.

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Atrophy

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Decrease in size, malnutrition, aging

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Hypertrophy

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Increase in size, enlarged heart, exercise and skeletal muscles, more hormones (thyroid gland)

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Hyperplasia

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Increase in number of cells, uterus during pregnancy, hormonal imbalance, risk factor in cancer

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Metaplasia

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Replacement of cells, vitamin A deficit, cigarette smoke

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Dysplasia

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Vary in size and shape, increased division, chronic irritation or infection, precancerous, Pap smear

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Anaplasia

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Undifferentiated cells, cancer, grading of tumor

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Neoplasms

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Benign or Malignant, depends on types and growth

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Ischemia

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or deficit of oxygen in the cells, due to respiratory problems or circulatory obstruction

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Hypoxia

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decreased oxygen in the tissue

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Necrosis

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Death of cells

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Gangrene

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area of necrotic tissue