Overview of Diseases
We have studied so far, the beautiful mechanism, by which our body-machine works in effective and efficient manner. (Section II)
Different ways of derangement in functioning, leading to disease state were discussed in Section III.
In Section IV we are going to study various diseases. Let us view a disease with a different perspective. A disease represents deviations from normalcy, first at functional then at structural level (generally). While these changes are occurring, control system in our body tries to rectify it. It may take hours to a few days (acute disease) or longer period (chronic disease). With the advent of molecular biology, we know that the deviation as well as control occurs at that level.
Unfortunately, the subtle alterations at bimolecular level are difficult to detect in the beginning, whether certain trivial sensations/complaints such as itching, pain here and there, indigestion, dizziness and most of such symptoms, which one experiences may be momentarily or for little while, which are the result of early bimolecular changes, is anybody’s guess. However, as the time passes, a particular set of symptoms and signs occur. We term it as disease or syndrome. A syndrome is a group of symptoms with varied etiopathogenesis. As the disease progresses, the changes may occur at laboratory level like serology, radiology etc.
Therefore-
- A disease is a phenomenon, unfolding itself in various ways over a period of time.
- Accordingly, the control system in the body brings into operations, different mechanisms for rectifications.
- It becomes mandatory to study a disease phase wise and adopt therapy in accordance with spatial dimension of disease.
- It is easy to conceive that the bio-molecular changes will differ from person to person which will have reflection on therapy. A disease represents a general reactivity pattern and patient manifests individuality along with it.