In the human body there are many processes that take place at the cellular level. Gradually, they lead to global tissue changes and become visible to the naked eye. On this principle, phenomena such as aging of the skin and organs, healing of wounds, destruction of the epithelium, etc. are built. One of these processes is degeneration. It manifests itself in all living organisms along with other natural changes. Degeneration is the process of the gradual destruction or degeneration of normal tissues, which leads to their functional failure or death. Similar changes occur in all organs throughout a person’s life. Biological concepts such as "aromorphosis", "idioadaptation", "degeneration" have been known to science since ancient times. They are a kind of synonyms, but each of the processes is necessary for the life of the body.
What is physiological degeneration?
Under normal conditions, due to degeneration, the old integument epithelium is replaced with a new one (upper layer of skin). It contributes to the atrophy of organs and systems that appeared in embryonic development and had already completed their function at the time of birth. Degeneration is necessary during the period of growth of the child, while its value is great for all body systems. For example, when the human skeleton is ossified, degeneration (destruction) of cartilage tissue is necessary. The epidermis has several parts, the upper one is the stratum corneum. Throughout life, it undergoes physiological degeneration many times, as a result of which the skin is constantly updated. Another example is the gradual atrophy that occurs in the mammary glands when lactation should stop.
The pathological process is how? Effects
The process of tissue destruction is the leading mechanism of many diseases. Pathological degeneration is a change in normal tissues to others that are not found in this organ. Such a process can be the result of a violation of fat, protein, carbohydrate metabolism. Substitution of some cellular elements by others can occur in any organ or tissue. For example, fatty degeneration. Normally, this process occurs in the subcutaneous tissue and mammary glands, but with pathology occurs in other tissues, including the nervous one. As a result of this, a decrease in the functions of organs is observed up to their complete absence. With degenerative changes in the nerve fibers, the impulses cease to reach the brain, and vice versa, return to the tissues. This can lead to loss of sensation, organ dysfunction, atrophic processes. Excess carbohydrates are also a consequence of degeneration. In this case, a common disease occurs - diabetes mellitus, which has many complications.
What is the difference between cystic degeneration?
This type of degenerative change implies the appearance of many cyst cavities in the organs filled with liquid contents. They can appear in various tissues, but most often are formed in the female genital organs - ovaries. This disease is called Stein-Leventhal syndrome. Thanks to these two scientists (Stein and Leventhal), cystic ovarian degeneration was discovered. The causes of this syndrome remain unknown to date, however, there is an assumption that this disease is hereditary. It manifests itself during the puberty of the girl, the main symptom is the absence of menstruation. The mechanism of the disease consists in the formation of multiple ovarian cysts, which have a dense capsule and contribute to impaired growth and maturation of the follicles, thereby disrupting the process of egg release.
The clinical picture and treatment of Stein-Leventhal syndrome
In addition to the lack of menstrual flow in adolescents, degeneration is an ailment that can manifest itself in other cycle disorders. For example, metrorrhagia - periodic bleeding from the genital tract, which is not associated with ovulatory changes in the female body. If Stein-Leventhal syndrome arose at a later age, its main manifestations are infertility. However, it can occur in previously pregnant and giving birth to women. In addition, the disease is manifested by severe hypertrichosis - increased hair on the face and body of patients. In addition to this symptom, there are no signs of virilization, women have normal sexual characteristics, voice timbre, type of constitution. Nervousness in Stein-Leventhal syndrome is associated with impaired fertility. The treatment of the disease consists of a wedge-shaped resection of the ovaries, due to which the follicles begin to mature and produce eggs, thereby returning the ability to bear children.
Degenerative eye changes
Thanks to the organ of vision, living things have the ability to see the world around them. With pathological changes, this function is violated up to complete blindness. Diseases of the eye can be localized in its various structures: cornea, iris, vitreous humor, lens, vessels, etc. The most serious pathologies are considered to be changes in the retina and optic nerve. Since these structures are firmly connected with the brain, their atrophy leads to irreversible blindness. Retinal degeneration is a disease with an unknown etiology. It manifests itself in the form of age-related dystrophy or retinitis, which can appear at any period of life. Degeneration - examples: pigmented and non-pigmented forms, unilateral, paravenous, central and peripheral pathologies.
Pathogenesis of retinal pigment degeneration
The causes of degenerative changes in the eye remain unknown, but it is believed that they are hereditary in nature and can be transmitted with either a dominant or a recessive gene. The main pathological mechanism for the development of the disease is dystrophy of the rods and cones located on the retina. Vascular disorders of the eye are the growth of the adventitia membrane and thickening of the endothelium. The nerve fibers of the organ of vision also tend to proliferate and gradually replace the retinal layer, with the sticks being forced out first, and with the far advanced process, the cones. During degeneration, the pigment is distributed unevenly along the fundus, as a result, some areas are deprived of it, while others are vice versa.
Manifestation of pigment degeneration
Retinal degeneration manifests itself gradually. Most often, it is noticed in childhood or adolescence. The first symptom of this pathology is hemeralopia - impaired vision in twilight. This manifestation may be the only one for several years, and no changes during ophthalmoscopy will be observed. The next stage of the disease is the appearance of small areas of pigment in the study of the fundus. At first, these inclusions are noticeable only on the periphery; later, they are directed to the center of the retina. The fundus vessels are gradually narrowing, they become noticeable in places of depigmentation. Another late symptom is a scotoma in the form of a ring - a semicircular narrowing of
the visual field. The final stage of degeneration is its complications, which include secondary cataract, glaucoma and clouding of the vitreous body. All these processes lead to a decrease in vision, and sometimes to complete blindness.
Diagnosis of degeneration
Degeneration can be suspected with a decrease in the function of organs, which occurs gradually. With polycystic changes in the ovaries and the presence of a characteristic clinical picture, it is necessary to resect the organ, followed by histological and cytological studies, where changes that occur at the cellular level will be visible. Retinal degeneration can be confirmed by certain complaints of the patient and ophthalmoscopy. The fundus research method allows you to see pigment inclusions, altered vessels,
optic atrophy. Another method is electroretinogram. On it, during degeneration, one can notice the attenuation of the waves or their complete disappearance.
Medication for retinal degeneration
The treatment of this pathology is aimed at stopping or slowing the progression of degenerative changes. This can be achieved by taking vasodilators: Complamin, Nigexin, nicotinic acid. In addition, electrophoresis with antispasmodics is used: drotaverin, papaverine. Vitamins of group B are used. In addition to medicines, they practice surgical treatment - transplantation of muscle fibers on the retina in order to improve blood circulation. Despite the progression of the disease, following the regimen can significantly extend it.