Pathogenesis is the development of any disease. It is being investigated based on clinical analysis data. It also helps, for example, x-ray examination for diseases of bones and joints; ultrasound - for diseases of internal organs, fluorographic - for lung lesions and others. In other words, pathogenesis describes everything that happens to a person during a particular illness. If the doctor knows the mechanisms of pathogenesis, he will be able to prevent the development of more serious complications. The pathogenesis of the disease is always different. It will depend on the disease itself, its causes and pathogen. Consider the pathogenesis of diseases as examples.
Diabetes
This ailment has been known since ancient times. Even then, healers noticed that people who had sweet urine soon died. But people did not know what the disease was, how it is treated, therefore, for many centuries diabetes has been considered a sentence.
Some time passed, scientists appeared who were able to understand the pathogenesis of diabetes and develop a life-saving medicine.
What happens in a person who has diabetes?
Diabetes mellitus is a disease in which the human body does not receive an important hormone - insulin. Because of this, sugar rises in the patient's blood. A person may die. Diabetes happens in two varieties: insulin-dependent and non-insulin-dependent (types 1 and 2). The pathogenesis of diabetes in these cases is different, but first things first.
The first type of diabetes is usually found in children and adults under 35 years old, it is inherited, but other causes are also possible: severe stress, pancreatic injuries, infectious diseases. Any of the reasons becomes the impetus for the development of the disease. The pancreas (more precisely, the
islets of Langerhans) begins to die. But it is she who secrets insulin. Soon an absolute deficiency of this hormone develops in the body, and patients require life-saving injections.
Nowadays, diabetes can be called an incurable disease. Pancreatic transplant operations are performed in Russia and abroad, but they are very expensive, not everyone can afford it.
The second type of diabetes has a different pathogenesis of development. They are sick of the elderly, more often women, prone to overweight. In their case, the pancreas has no problems. It, as expected, produces the right amount of insulin, but this hormone does not feel the tissues of the body, and it enters the blood in small quantities. Reduced sensitivity occurs due to age, excess weight and chronic human diseases. The body lacks insulin, which sends signals to the pancreas. She, in turn, begins to intensively produce a hormone that still does not reach the goal. As a result, the body gets tired, each time the production of insulin decreases. For normal tissue sensitivity to insulin, such people are prescribed tablets that improve the process described above. Sometimes it helps, and sometimes not, and then insulin injections are prescribed to patients.
Pathogenesis of pneumonia
Pneumonia develops when pathogenic bacteria enter the lungs. They can get there by airborne droplets - this is the most common option. Hematogenous infection occurs with sepsis or other serious infectious diseases. Through lymph, a person can become infected with a wound to the chest.
In any case, microbes enter the bronchi and begin to multiply there. The body responds to such an invasion by an increase in temperature, and consequently, by the launch of the immune system. With reduced immunity, a person quickly weakens, mucus begins to accumulate in the lungs, which will violate the patency of the bronchi. Predisposing factors in the formation of mucus include the following: smoking, drinking alcohol, working in hazardous work, heart disease, chronic ailments. Microbes in the mucus feel very well and continue their pathogenic effect. To stop the harmful effects of pathogenic bacteria on the body, the patient is prescribed special therapy and a multivitamin complex to increase the body's defenses. The pathogenesis of pneumonia is very important for doctors. Knowing him, they will be able to prescribe the right treatment.
Arterial hypertension
A condition in which there is an increase in blood pressure in the arteries is called
arterial hypertension. The causes of the problem are the following: increased cardiac output, increased resistance to arterial blood flow, or both. The pathogenesis of arterial hypertension will depend on the causes that caused it. For example, if a person is constantly experiencing stress, his muscles are in a state of tension. This is transmitted to the blood vessels, they narrow, thereby causing an increase in pressure. Also, the causes of this problem may be diseases of the heart and other internal organs, for example, the thyroid gland. In any case, if persistent arterial hypertension is detected, the patient must undergo a complete medical examination to determine the exact cause of the disease.
Pathogenesis of gastric ulcer
In the mucous membrane of the stomach and duodenum, aggressive and protective factors are distinguished. Peptic ulcer appears when there is an imbalance between them. Aggressive factors:
- pepsin;
- bile acids;
- hydrochloric acid.
Protective factors include the following:
- mucus production;
- renewal of the epithelium;
- proper blood supply;
- normal nutrition of nerve cells.
In addition, another important reason for the formation of ulcers is isolated - this is the Helicobacter pylori bacterium. At the end of the twentieth century, Australian scientists discovered it in the mucous membrane of the stomach of a person suffering from chronic gastritis. After conducting a series of studies, it was proved that Helicobacter pylori can affect the formation of ulcers. It does not die in the stomach and releases harmful substances that damage its mucosa.
The bacterium attaches to the wall of the stomach, thereby causing inflammation of the mucous membrane. When a focus of inflammation appears, the body turns on the defenses and delivers leukocytes to the ulcer with blood (they fight against infectious pathogens). But in this case, white blood cells begin to produce an active form of oxygen, which damages the epithelium and exacerbates the course of the disease. The affected mucosa becomes sensitive to the effects of aggressive factors - this causes pain.
Peptic ulcer disease requires urgent treatment, because it gives many life-threatening complications. It is necessary to remember the risk of ulcer perforation (the formation of a through hole in the stomach). Without treatment, an ulcer can degenerate into cancer. Therefore, if you suspect a considered ailment, you should consult a doctor.
Atherosclerosis
A disease in which damage to the arteries of an elastic species occurs is called atherosclerosis. With this ailment, a change in the state of the walls of the vessels and the formation of atherosclerotic plaque are noted. With the progression of the disease, the patient's condition may worsen. But with timely access to medical help, terrible consequences can be avoided. The pathogenesis of atherosclerosis will depend on the causes that caused it. There are several hypotheses for the formation of atherosclerotic plaques.
Causes of atherosclerotic plaque formation
The first reason is a violation of the integrity of the blood vessel wall. There are a lot of factors that damage the endothelium. This includes smoking, including passive, high blood pressure, malnutrition, a sedentary lifestyle, frequent stresses and emotional stress. In addition, various bacteria and viruses can cause integrity damage. Platelets begin to accumulate at the site of damage to the vessel. They are necessary to close the hole that appears. The problem is that platelets partially or completely block the lumen of the vessel. When large vessels are damaged, clinical symptoms of atherosclerosis complications appear: coronary heart disease - a condition in which the heart muscle does not have enough oxygen; myocardial infarction and other diseases.
Another hypothesis of the appearance of an ailment is malnutrition. With the frequent use of fatty and fried foods, a large amount of fat is retained in the blood. They adversely affect the walls of blood vessels and cause damage. Further, the picture is similar to the previous one. Platelets rush to the site of injury, but their activity is too high. A blood clot forms on the vessel wall, which clogs the lumen of the vessel and causes complications. In addition, a blood clot can come off the wall of a damaged vessel and block any other, such as an aorta or pulmonary artery. In this case, instant death occurs.
As can be seen, both hypotheses have almost the same pathogenesis. This is a cause for controversy, but scientists around the world believe that both causes of atherosclerosis have a right to exist. More can be said: they complement each other. Currently, there are a number of drugs that can reduce the risk of developing plaques. In order to find out if you have a risk of this disease, you must consult a doctor. If necessary, he will prescribe treatment for you.
Swelling
Everyone knows what swelling is. The pathogenesis of their appearance depends on the causes. And there are a lot of the latter. But first things first.
Edema with heart disease
Normally, the fluid that flows through the arterial vessels has a higher pressure than that found in the tissues. In the venous system, the opposite is true. Thus, a normal fluid exchange in the body occurs. But with pathology, the pressure in the venous vessels increases, there is a fluid retention in the body - edema appears. The problem may occur due to venous stasis or heart failure.
Edema in the inflammatory process
The pathogenesis of the disease is also associated with fluid retention in the body. Inflammation provokes venous hyperemia - this is a condition in which stagnation of blood in organs occurs due to obstructed venous outflow. The pressure in the venous vessels rises, while the fluid is retained in the body.
Edema with an allergic reaction
Allergy is a reaction of the body to antigenic factors. With such a problem, the body releases histamine, which causes vasodilation and increases the permeability of the vascular wall. Because of this, the liquid begins to flow heavily into the tissues, resulting in swelling.
Hunger swelling
Normally, the oncotic pressure in the blood and tissues is the same. But when fasting in the body, the breakdown of proteins begins, which the body begins to consume. First of all, he takes on plasma proteins. Because of this, the blood pressure drops sharply, and the fluid goes in the direction of increased pressure, that is, in the tissue.
Edema associated with kidney inflammation
With inflammation of the kidney, compression of the renal vessels occurs. This is followed by a violation of the blood circulation of the specified organ and irritation of the cells that stimulate the release of renin. The latter stimulates the adrenal glands, which begin to produce aldosterone. It inhibits the elimination of sodium from the body. This element irritates the osmoreceptors of tissues, which increase the activity of the
antidiuretic hormone. He, in turn, slows down the elimination of fluid from the body, and it begins to accumulate in the tissues.
The pathogenesis of diseases due to which edema appears is almost the same, but in each case there are some nuances. Therefore, for the proper treatment of the disease, it is not enough just to read the pathogenesis on your own. It can only do harm. Therapy should be prescribed by a doctor.
Conclusion
In the article, we tried to describe the pathogenesis of various ailments in clear words, so that it is easier for you to understand the essence of the problem. Pathogenesis is a mechanism for the development of diseases. Information about him is used to prescribe the correct treatment.