Disease 1

DISEASE, Concept of
Health & wellness

A
VALUE ADDED COURSE
Semester II
Definition
• Any harmful deviation from the normal
structural or functional state of an
organism.
• generally associated with certain signs
and symptoms and differing in nature
from physical injury.
• A diseased organism commonly exhibits signs or symptoms
indicative of its abnormal state.
• Thus, the normal condition of an organism must be understood
in order to recognize the hallmarks of disease.
• However, the fine line between disease and health is not always
apparent.
Pathology
• The study of disease is called pathology.

• It involves the determination of the cause (etiology) of the
disease, the understanding of the mechanisms of
its development (pathogenesis),
• the structural changes (e.g. in liver cirrhosis) associated with the
disease process (morphological changes), and the
functional consequences of those changes.
• Correctly identifying the cause of a disease is necessary to
identifying the proper course of treatment.
Homeostasis
• Homeostasis (Greek words for "same" and "steady“) is the

process by which living things maintain a steady internal state,
including physical and chemical conditions, while adjusting to
external conditions.
• The body uses homeostasis to function optimally and survive
Credit: Paul Barry swim strong foundation

The imbalance
• Therefore, disease represents the consequences of a breakdown of
the homeostatic control mechanisms.
• In some instances the affected mechanisms are clearly indicated, but
in most cases the mechanism remains elusive.
(Arbitrary e.g. sudden coldness could over raise body temperature, excess salt intake
leads to thirst)
Some terminologies
• The initial cause of the diseased state may lie within the
individual organism itself, and the disease is then said to be
idiopathic (spontaneous or unknown), innate, or primary
• Iatrogenic disease is the result of diagnostic and therapeutic
procedures undertaken on a patient (or sometimes comments
of the physician)
• Finally, the disease may be caused by some agent external to
the organism, such as a harmful chemical
• In this case the disease is noncommunicable; meaning it affects
only the individual organism exposed to it.
Communicable Disease
• When the external agent is a

micro organism or a virus
which are capable of
multiplying within the host
and spread to other
individuals
• In this case the disease is said
to be communicable
Credit: Lorain County Public Health
Mode of transfer
• CDs are caused by pathogens passed Virus Credit: Medicalnewstoday.com
from one human to another

• Pathogens are viral, bacterial, parasitic
Bacteria
and fungal
• Methods of transmission include
Credit: Womenshealth.com
contamination or contact through
body fluids like saliva, mucus, blood
and sexual
• Contaminated surfaces such as
counter tops, door knobs, play
equipments are among the common
medium for transfer of pathogens
from human to human Credit: Bloomberg public Health Magazine
Major microbial sources
Non communicable Diseases (NCDs)
• NCDs are the leading cause of death and disability in the

world, killing 41 million people each year, which is more
than all communicable diseases combined. E.g. stroke and
paralysis arising from CVD may lead to crippling of an
individual, if not death
Noncommunicable disease
• Noncommunicable diseases generally are long-lasting

and progress slowly, and thus they are sometimes also
referred to as chronic diseases.
• NCDs are the result of a combination of genetic,
physiological, environmental, and behavioral factors.
Types of NCDs
The World Health

Organization (WHO) has
identified four major types of
NCDs (which accounts about 82%
of deaths)
(1) Cancer
(2) Cardiovascular disease
(e.g., heart attack, stroke),
(3) Chronic respiratory
disease (e.g., asthma), and
(4) Diabetes mellitus.
Genetically inherited NCDs
• NCDs that arise from inherited genetic

abnormalities whose treatment are not
very promising.
• E.g. cystic fibrosis (CF),
• CF affects the cells that produce mucus,
sweat and digestive juices.
• It causes these fluids to become thick and
sticky. They then plug up tubes, ducts and
passageways.
• Symptoms vary and can include cough,
repeated lung infections, inability to gain
weight and fatty stools Credit: Mayo clinic
• Down syndrome (trisomy 21)
and inborn errors of metabolism,
which are present at birth.
• Inborn errors of metabolism (IEMs)
are rare genetic disorders that Credit: MomJunction.com
prevent the body from converting

food into energy.
• They are caused by defects in
specific proteins, or enzymes, that
break down food.
• IEMs can affect multiple organ
systems and present at any age e.g. Credit: PatEdu.com
Phenylketonuria (PKU)
Examples of inherited diseases that
emerge in adulthood include e.g.
1. Huntington disease
an inherited disorder that causes nerve
cells (neurons) in parts of the brain to
gradually break down and die between
(live approx 10-30 years)
Credit: Lonestar neurology
2. certain forms of cancer (e.g.,
familial breast cancer involving
inherited mutations in eitherof
the genes BRCA1 or BRCA2).
Prevention of Diseases
1. Non communicable diseases

Regimented lifestyle which includes
Healthy diet which includes avoiding high carbohydrates (i.e.
high calorie food/junk foods) and adhering to strict timings
Avoiding intoxicants (tobacco, acohols, drugs, other substances
such as betel quid)
Avoiding stresses especially mental stress
Regular exercises (calisthenics, jogging/brisk walk)
Listening to good music
2. Communicable Diseases
a) clean drinking water/food
b) proper sanitation
c) avoiding contact with infected individuals/crowded places
d) doctors visit, and taking appropriate
medicines/antibiotics and completing the dosages
e) vaccination

Disease 1

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Disease 1

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Disease 1

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

DISEASE, Concept of

Health & wellness

• The study of disease is called pathology.

• Homeostasis (Greek words for "same" and "steady“) is the

Credit: Paul Barry swim strong foundation

• When the external agent is a

from one human to another

• NCDs are the leading cause of death and disability in the

• Noncommunicable diseases generally are long-lasting

The World Health

• NCDs that arise from inherited genetic

prevent the body from converting

1. Non communicable diseases

You might also like