Pathophysiology Information & Pathophysiology Links at HealthHaven.com

**Pathophysiology** sample values
BMP/ELECTROLYTES:
Na+=140	Cl-=100	BUN=20	/
			Glu=150
K+=4	CO₂=22	PCr=1.0	\
ARTERIAL BLOOD GAS:
HCO₃^-=24	p_aCO₂=40	p_aO₂=95	pH=7.40
ALVEOLAR GAS:
	p_ACO₂=36	p_AO₂=105	A-a g=10
OTHER:
Ca=9.5	PO₄=1	Mg²⁺=2.0
CK=55	BE=-0.36	AG=16
SERUM OSMOLARITY/RENAL:
PMO = 300	PCO=295	POG=5	BUN:Cr=20
URINALYSIS:
UNa+=80	UCl-=100	UAG=5	FENa=0.95
UK+=25	USG=1.01	UCr=60	UO=800
PROTEIN/GI/LIVER FUNCTION TESTS:
LDH=100	TP=7.6	AST=25	TBIL=0.7
ALP=71	Alb=4.0	ALT=40	BC=0.5
		AST/ALT=0.6	BU=0.2
AF alb=3.0	SAAG=1.0		SOG=60
CSF:
CSF alb=30	CSF glu=60	CSF/S alb=7.5	CSF/S glu=0.4

Pathophysiology is the study of the changes of normal mechanical, physical, and biochemical functions, either caused by a disease, or resulting from an abnormal syndrome.^[1] More formally, it is the branch of medicine which deals with any disturbances of body functions, caused by disease or prodromal symptoms.

An alternate definition is "the study of the biological and physical manifestations of disease as they correlate with the underlying abnormalities and physiological disturbances."^[2]

The study of pathology and the study of pathophysiology often involves substantial overlap in diseases and processes, but pathology emphasizes direct observations, while pathophysiology emphasizes quantifiable measurements.

[edit] Examples

An example from the field of infectious disease would be the study of a toxin released by a bacterium, and what that toxin does to the body to cause harm, one possible result being sepsis.

Another example is the study of the chemical changes that take place in body tissue due to inflammation. the intersection of two older, related disciplines: (normal) physiology and pathology.

Physiology is the study of normal, healthy bodily function (as opposed to anatomy, which is the study of normal structure). When something disrupts normal physiological processes, it enters the realm of pathophysiology.
Pathology, broadly speaking, is the "study of the nature and cause of disease."^[3] or the results of disease in the body.

Pathophysiology looks at the specific malfunctioning that comes from or - alternately - causes disease.

One caution in this approach is that "healthy" structure and function is not precisely the same in any two individuals.

[edit] Uses

Pathophysiology is a required area of study for nearly all healthcare professional school programs (medical, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, pharmacy, nursing and paramedic programs) in the United States and other countries.

[edit] See also

Pathology

[edit] Popular Culture

In the 1969 Beatles' song Maxwell's Silver Hammer from the Abbey Road Album, (written by Paul McCartney but credited to Lennon/McCartney), this term can be found in the opening lyric. The song begins, "Joan was quizzical studied pathophysical, science in the home. Late nights all alone with a test tube, Jo-oh-oh oan."

[edit] References

^ "Pathophysiology - Definition from the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary". http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Pathophysiology. Retrieved 2009-04-09.
^ Craig Scanlon, Egan's Fundamentals of Respiratory Therapy, St. Louis, 1999, p. 1186.
^ Taber's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary, Clayton Thomas, Philadelphia, 1993, p. 1445.

[edit] External links

Pathophysiology Resources

This article related to pathology is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

[urlPathophysiology_-_Definition_from_the_Merriam-Webster_Online_Dictionary-0] "Pathophysiology - Definition from the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary". http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Pathophysiology. Retrieved 2009-04-09.

[1] Craig Scanlon, Egan's Fundamentals of Respiratory Therapy, St. Louis, 1999, p. 1186.

[2] Taber's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary, Clayton Thomas, Philadelphia, 1993, p. 1445.

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