Pathophysiology

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. More formally, it is the branch of medicine which deals with any disturbances of body functions, caused by disease or prodromal symptoms.

An alternative definition is "the study of the biological and physical manifestations of disease as they correlate with the underlying abnormalities and physiological disturbances.

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

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." 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...

Uses

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