What is a Disease?

What is a disease?
–   Abnormal condition of an organism’s cells, body systems, or processes.
–   Evidence: specific symptoms and signs
–   They cause an immune response in complex organisms
–   This is the body’s attempt to rid itself of the disease and stay healthy.

How do diseases differ?
      The causes can be different
–    Pathogens cause some diseases.
–    Biological causes
–    Often called microbes (microscopic)
–    Protists, bacteria, or viruses
–    Microbes can be:
•    carried by mosquitoes, flies, pigs, or other animals
–    Transmitted to humans
•    Found in water, soil, and sneezes

Why aren’t we sick all the time?
Other causes
–   Genetics
–    Inherited conditions - related to chromosomes
     Biochemical or environmental factors
–    Second hand smoke
–    Air pollution
     Individual organism
–    Problems or failure in normal functioning of an organ or organ system

Body’s defense systems
     Preventing microbes from entering the body - first lines of defense
–    Hairs lining mucus membranes
–    Skin
–    Acids in the stomach
     White blood cells are second line of defense
     Third line of defense: lymphocytes and leukocytes - white blood cells
     Antibodies - immunities
–    natural or by vaccination

Managing Non Pathogenic Diseases
     Repair the damaged system
–    Medicines
–    Surgery
–    Combination
     Behavioral changes
–    Remove causative behaviors

Communicable Diseases
     Influenza
     Meningitis
     Rabies
     Tetanus
     Polio
     Whooping cough
     Shingles
     Tuberculosis
     Traveler’s diseases
     Chicken pox
     Measles
     Mumps

Non communicable diseases
     Asthma
     Multiple Sclerosis
     Diabetes
     Epilepsy
     Allergies
     Osteoarthritis
     Restless Leg Syndrome

What are the differences?
     Think about the causes.
     Which diseases can be transmitted from person to person?
     Which can be treated (or prevented) with medicines?
     Which will go away?  Which are likely to continue for the remainder of the individual’s life?

Article Written by Dr. Sufia Islam
Head, Department of Pharmacy
East West University

Posted in: Diseases Information