When a person is healthy, he does not have to think about all sorts of difficult medical terms. But if a disease begins, you have to study a lot of literature to understand what is happening to you.
What is alteration? This term means that complex processes of morphological changes in tissues have begun in the body. This is not a reason to worry. Primary alteration is not scary. But the secondary already carries with it certain consequences, which are impossible to predict.
Alteration: deciphering the term
In medicine, alteration is a pathological change in cells. If the cells of an organ or connective tissue begin to morphologically change, and cease to fulfill their functions, then it is said that tissue dystrophy has begun.
Dystrophy can be the result of 4 destructive processes:
- Transformation.
- Infiltration.
- Fanerosis or decomposition - the breakdown of complex substances.
- Perverted synthesis.
These processes invariably lead to violations of the entire life of the body. If the process of infiltration starts, then the inflammation in the tissues already lasts a long time. Infiltration is detected in case of Basedova’s disease (thyroid disease), with atrophic changes in organ parenchyma, and with tuberculous pneumonia.
Reasons for Alteration
Due to the effects of adverse environmental factors, compensation mechanisms are activated in the body. But they are short-lived. When there is a breakdown of the compensatory possibilities, the processes of tissue destruction begin.
Often, alteration occurs against the background of inflammation due to common injuries. For example, due to internal bleeding. Then you just need to stop the internal bleeding until peritonitis has begun - a life-threatening condition.
Classification of Dystrophy
Dystrophies are classified according to certain signs. In terms of prevalence, localization, type of impaired metabolism.
Localization distinguish:
- mixed;
- stromal vascular disorders in the stroma of an organ;
- parenchymal dystrophies - disorders in the membrane.
By type of impaired metabolism, fatty, protein, and mineral are secreted. Dystrophy is also carbohydrate. Depending on genetics, genetic or acquired disorders are distinguished.
What is alteration? This is a violation of the normal functioning of a group of cells of any organ. Some causes of violations can be eliminated. Others, such as genetic factors, are not. Therefore, the doctor treating the alteration should clearly understand what is happening to the patient.
Primary and secondary alteration
If primary alteration is a reaction to environmental signals, then secondary alteration is already triggered by the body itself. This is the main difference. Secondary alteration occurs under the influence of nerve impulses, inflammatory mediators and other adaptation mechanisms.
The more inflammation develops, the more pronounced are hypoxia, impaired circulation and nervous trophism. The stronger the accumulation of toxins in the body.
What is alteration - dismantled. The very word "alteration" means change. Physico-chemical properties of tissues are modified. And the more inflammatory mediators, such as histamine, the greater the consequences.
The consequences of dystrophic tissue changes
Primary alteration does not cause complex changes in the body. But it makes you wary. Secondary alteration is already capable of causing irreversible changes in the tissues of the organ. If the lungs are affected, for example, pneumonia or fibrosis, then therapy will not lead to the initial healthy state of the lungs.
Inflammation of the internal organs cannot be seen without special devices. However, the body sends us signals.
Where can alteration occur? Inflammation can affect all tissues and organs. Under the influence of pathogenic agents or poisons, both muscles and the cardiovascular system can be affected, and even an alteration of the tissues of the eyeball is found.
Therapy
Recall what alteration is. These are changes that can be stopped in the primary phase.
To stop the alteration, it is necessary to find the pathogenic factor and neutralize its effect, as well as stop the inflammation. The inflammatory process is an adaptive reaction of the body, accompanied by a rush of blood and swelling. To stop the process, anti-inflammatory drugs are needed, and sometimes anti-shock therapy is also needed.
When an alteration occurs due to a pulmonary or myocardial infarction, medical attention is needed immediately. Otherwise, after a few hours, tissue necrosis (death) spreads in the organ.