Summary
Homeostasis is a position of equilibrium in which the body’s internal conditions remain stable and relatively constant. The disease is a state of imbalance or disharmony in which the body’s internal requirements are disrupted. An example of homeostasis would be if someone could maintain a constant body temperature of 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit (Lasakosvitsch, 2019). An example of a disease would be if someone had a fever and their body temperature was above 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit.
Chronic diseases are diseases that develop slowly and last for an extended period. They are often diagnosed after months or years of symptoms and can be managed but not cured. Acute diseases, however, come on suddenly and typically last for a shorter time. Acute diseases include conditions like the flu or a broken bone, which can be treated and cured. An example of a chronic disease is diabetes, which is a condition that affects the body’s ability to process blood sugar (Lasakosvitsch, 2019). Continued elevation of blood sugar levels can damage the heart, kidneys, and nerves.
Not all diseases can be cured, but some can be managed through treatments that help relieve symptoms and improve quality of life. An example of a condition that cannot be cured is HIV/AIDS, but it can be managed with medications that help slow the disease’s progression (Chu & Bositis, 2017). Diseases like cancer can go into remission, meaning that all cancer cells have been killed, and cancer can no longer grow. However, cancer can return, so it is not considered cured. Some diseases can be cured with surgery, like appendicitis.
Amy’s elevated blood glucose is an important observation because it indicates that she has diabetes, a chronic disease that cannot be cured. Managing diabetes typically involves lifestyle changes such as eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and taking medications to control blood sugar levels. However, treatments available can help manage the disease and improve her quality of life (Lasakosvitsch, 2019). These treatments typically involve lifestyle changes such as eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and taking medications to control blood sugar levels.
AIDS
AIDS is considered a syndrome because it is a collection of symptoms and illnesses that result from damage to the immune system. Also, AIDS has not considered a disease because it is not caused by a single infectious agent, like a virus or bacteria (Chu & Bositis, 2017). Instead, it is caused by a combination of factors that weaken the immune system, including certain viruses or bacteria, poor lifestyle, stress, and malnutrition.
HIV is transmitted via contact with certain body fluids from an infected person, including blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and breast milk. Unprotected sex, sharing needles or other injection equipment, and having an infected mother to her child during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding are ways a person can get infected with HIV (Chu & Bositis, 2017). Some ways to prevent or lower the chances of HIV infection include abstinence from sexual relations, regular testing for HIV, being faithful to one long-term sexual partner, taking pre-exposure prophylaxis, and practicing protected sex.
Helper T cells are a category of white blood cells that helps the body fight infection. When HIV them, most are destroyed, and their numbers are deficient, preventing them from performing their function. This weakens the entire immune system and makes the body susceptible to other infections and illnesses, which can lead to AIDS. This can lead to several serious diseases, including pneumonia, tuberculosis, and cancer (Chu & Bositis, 2017). Over time, these illnesses can cause death. Clark will not die from AIDS because treatments are now available to prolong his life. These treatments, known as antiretroviral therapy, can prevent HIV from replicating and damaging the immune system.
Inflammation
The release of inflammatory mediators causes the signs and symptoms of inflammation. These mediators are released by the cells of the immune system in response to an injury or infection, causing the blood vessels to dilate and increase their permeability of the vessels. This allows more blood to flow to the site of the damage or infection (Hirano, 2020). The raised blood flow causes the area to become red and swollen. The mediators also cause the pain receptors in the area to become more sensitive, which leads to the pain and stiffness associated with inflammation.
The six agents capable of stimulating an inflammatory response are physical agents, chemicals, immune agents, tissue death, trauma, and microorganisms. Physical agents, such as heat and cold, can damage tissues and release mediators that trigger an inflammatory response. Trauma activates the body’s immune system, releasing chemicals, like cytokines, and activating neutrophils that cause inflammation. Microorganisms can cause inflammation by infecting tissues and releasing inflammatory mediators. Chemicals, such as irritants or allergens, can also damage tissues and stimulate an inflammatory response (Hirano, 2020). Inappropriate immunological reactions can occur when the body mounts an immune response to a harmless substance, such as pollen, resulting in inflammation. Tissue death, or necrosis, can also lead to inflammation as the body’s repair mechanisms are activated in response to the damaged tissue.
Anti-inflammatory drugs and analgesics are used to ease the pain and discomfort of rheumatoid arthritis. Also, the drugs can relieve the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and improve the quality of life for patients with this chronic condition (Hirano, 2020). These drugs will not cure the disease, yet her doctor prescribed them because they can help to ease the symptoms and enhance the quality of life for patients with this chronic condition.
Immunoglobulins
The five classes of immunoglobulins are IgA, IgD, IgE, IgG, and IgM. IgA is found in mucous membranes, such as the respiratory tract, and is responsible for protecting the body from disease by trapping bacteria and viruses before they can enter the body. IgD is found on the surface of B cells and is responsible for identifying foreign antigens. IgE is located in the blood and is responsible for triggering allergic reactions. IgG is the most common immunoglobulin accountable for protecting against bacteria and viruses (Xiao et al., 2020). IgM is the first immunoglobulin produced in response to an infection and is responsible for clearing bacteria and viruses from the blood.
The body produces five different classes of immunoglobulins to provide a broad range of protection against infections. Each class has another function and is better suited to protect against various infections. A patient can catch a cold caused by the same virus twice, but it is less likely than catching a cold caused by a different virus. This is because the body produces antibodies in response to an infection, which provides immunity against that particular virus in the future (Xiao et al., 2020). However, immunity is not always perfect; a person can be infected with a virus more than once. However, if a person’s immune system is weak, they may not produce enough antibodies to protect against a second infection.
References
Chu, C., & Bositis, C. M. (2017). HIV transmission prevention. Oxford Medicine Online.
Hirano, T. (2020). IL-6 in inflammation, autoimmunity, and cancer. International Immunology, 33(3), 127–148.
Lasakosvitsch, F. (2019). Introductory chapter: Homeostasis. Homeostasis – An Integrated Vision.
Xiao, Z. X., Hu, X., Jarjour, W., & Zheng, S. G. (2020). The role of B7 family members in the generation of Immunoglobulin. Journal of Leukocyte Biology, 109(2), 377–382.