Pathophysiology course

chapter 1
Introduction
Ph. Ala’a AL-Tarawneh

1
• Health is a state of complete physical, mental and
social well- being and not merely the absence of
disease or infirmity.

• Disease is a change in the individual health to fall

outside the range of normal.

2
• Pathophysiology: the science that deal with the
dynamic aspects of disease process.

• Pathology is the scientific study of disease It includes

the study of structural alterations in cells, tissues and
organs that help to identify the cause of disease.

3
• Aetiology is the study of the causes of disease and/or
injury.

• The causes of disease can be either:

1- Endogenous originating from within the body.
2- Exogenous coming from outside the body.

4
• A symptom is an indication that a disease is present and
is what the patient usually complains of.
• A sign is what the clinician or healthcare practitioner is
looking or feeling for.
• Pathogens: These are the micro-organisms that cause
infection, in many cases antibiotics are available to treat
the pathogen
• Idiopathic : Diseases with no identifiable cause
• latrogenic : Diseases and/or injury as a result of medical
intervention(s).

5
• Nosocomial : Diseases acquired as a consequence of
being in a hospital environment.

• Diagnosis : Naming or identification of disease.

• Differential diagnosis : Two or more diseases with similar

presentation and clinical features .

• Acute disease : Sudden appearance of signs and

symptoms lasting a short time .

• Chronic disease : Develops more slowly lasting a long

time or a lifetime.

6
• Prognosis : Expected outcome of disease which varies
between different diseases and is influenced by
interventions and treatment .

• Relapse : Occurs when the symptoms of a disease returns

after a period of apparent recovery or remission .

• Remissions : Periods of good health with a reduction or

disappearance of clinical symptoms or they diminish
significantly .

• Exacerbations : Periods when clinical manifestations

become worse or more severe