homeostasis and disease

Introduction to clinical cases

Homeostasis and disease

Human homeostasis refers to the body's ability to physiologically regulate its inner environment to ensure itsstability in response to fluctuations in the outside environment and the weather. The liver, the kidneys, and the brain (hypothalamus, the autonomic nervous system and the endocrine system) help maintain homeostasis. The liver is responsible for metabolizing toxic substances and maintaining carbohydrate metabolism. The kidneys are responsible for regulating blood water levels, re-absorption of substances into the blood, maintenance of salt and ion levels in the blood, regulation of blood pH, and excretion of urea and other candies.

An inability to maintain homeostasis may lead to death or a disease, a condition known as homeostatic imbalance.

For instance, heart failure may occur when negative feedback mechanisms become overwhelmed and destructive positive feedback mechanisms take over.

Other diseases which result from a homeostatic imbalance include diabetes, dehydration, hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, gout and any disease caused by the presence of a toxin in the bloodstream. Medical intervention can help restore homeostasis and possibly prevent permanent damage to the organs

 

A disease is any disturbance or anomaly in the normal functioning of the body that probably has a specific cause and identifiable symptoms

Diseases are one of the factors threatening us from having a properly functional life. Throughout our history, epidemics have caused the extinction of whole populations. Over the last century, man has discovered many microorganisms that cause diseases in humans and animals, and has learned how to protect himself from them, by either prevention or treatment.

Homeostasis refers generally to a static state of the body's physiological systems. The body has so many different types of systems that it may be homeostatic in some regards and off balance in others. Generally, homeostasis and disease are inversely related. When the body is fighting disease, it is usually out of balance. There do exist situations in which the body may be in balance and still have a disease, though this is usually reserved for cases of chronic disease.

Disease can be thought of as an irregularity of the body that poses a threat for harm. It comes in many forms — sometimes pathogens like viruses or bacteria cause disease, while other times genetics are to blame. There are instances in which disease can be rather ephemeral and other hopeless cases of diseases that may last a lifetime. Thankfully, modern medicine has come up with many ways to combat disease, although there are still many medical limitations.

The term homeostasis can be broken down into roots for better understanding. Homeo means similar and stasis, a derivative of static, refers to the act of standing still. Put together in terms of the body, this word describes a steady rhythm of orderly function. Steady state, which is similar and often confused with homeostasis, is different.

Disease requires immediate action of the body to prevent harm. Homeostasis and disease are not friends — they do not like each other. The body needs to act quickly to fight the causes and effects of disease, and this requires a boost in many systems. Sometimes, this boost may be cardiovascular, but other times, different somatic systems may be called to the plate. In any case, homeostasis and disease are generally not seen together.

The exception to this rule is in the case of chronic disease. Many chronic diseases, such as diabetes, take place over long periods of time. They may be dormant, sometimes showing little harm, or very active and life threatening during other phases. When dormant, homeostasis and disease can actually coexist, surprisingly. When active, however, it is back to usual for homeostasis and disease, avoiding each other at all costs like the enemies they were meant to be.

THE CAUSES OF DISEASE

The search for the causes (etiologies) of human diseases goes back to antiquity. Hippocrates, a Greek physician of the 4th and 5th centuries bc, is credited with being the first to adopt the concept that disease is not a visitation of the gods but rather is caused by earthly influences. Scientists have since continually searched for the causes of disease and, indeed, have discovered the causes of many.

There are two main reasons that cause disease and suffering: the first is physical, food and bad-breath, the second is psychic-reflection and feeling bad.

Many of the diseases are caused by disorders of feeling: many diseases are due to confusion of thought. When diseases are caused by disturbances in thinking, play the muscular system and lungs. When the conditions are more of a sentimental, they damage the heart, liver, respiratory system and blood vessels. 

 

Signs and symptoms of the disease

Symptom: Any subjective evidence of disease.
A symptom is a phenomenon that is experienced by an individual. Anxiety, lower back pain, and fatigue are all symptoms. They are sensations only the patient can perceive. In contrast, a sign is objective evidence of disease. A bloody nose is a sign. It is evident to the patient, doctor, nurse, and other observers.

 

Sign: Any objective evidence of disease. A sign can be detected by a person other than the affected individual. Gross blood in the stool is a sign of disease. It can be recognized by the patient, doctor, nurse, or others. In contrast, a symptom is, by its nature, subjective. Abdominal pain is a symptom. It is something only the patient can know.

Poisoning in children

Reviewed by Dr Stephen Greene, consultant paediatrician

 

Poisoning accidents

Accidents in the home are much too common, especially since many can be avoided by taking a few simple precautions.

Some of the more serious accidents are poisoning incidents involving children. When young children explore the world, they use all their senses including taste. They typically put everything in their mouth to find out what it is. For this reason, adults must make sure that children do not have access to anything poisonous.

It is surprising just how many ordinary household articles are dangerous in this respect. To make your home safe from poisoning, examine it carefully one room at a time. Identify any potentially harmful substances and either lock them away or store them somewhere out of your children's reach.

What is poisonous in the kitchen?

Cleaning materials are usually kept in the kitchen, often in a low cupboard under the sink where they are easily accessible to curious children. Potentially dangerous products include:

• All kinds of detergents and cleaning products, which often contain chemicals that are poisonous to children.
• Plant fertilizer. This is extremely dangerous.
• Detergents used in automatic dishwashers. These are highly caustic and, therefore, very dangerous if consumed.

Move these products to a locked cabinet where children cannot see or reach them. It's not enough to simply store them on a worktop since children are excellent climbers. Buy products with childproof lids wherever possible - but lock them away nonetheless.

Never pour chemicals or detergents into empty soft drink or water bottles. Children may think the bottles still contain the original liquid.

What is poisonous in the bathroom?

Medicines, cosmetics, creams and lotions contain harmful substances (such as alcohol) that may poison a child.

Many tablets, medicines, herbal remedies and even vitamins are dangerous for children. Remember that children are less tolerant than adults and even a small quantity may be poisonous.

Always keep such items in a locked cabinet that the children do not have access to. Put any medicines back in the cabinet immediately after use.

What is poisonous in the living room?

Alcohol is very dangerous for children. Always lock cabinets containing wine and spirits - screwing down the lids tightly is not enough. Children are very good at opening things and even a small amount of alcohol can be harmful to a young child.

Remote controls for electronic equipment may contain small mercury batteries, which can cause poisoning if swallowed.

Cigarettes and tobacco are often left lying around. Tobacco, in all forms, is an extremely dangerous poison and just one cigarette stub may poison a child. All kinds of tobacco should be kept out of the reach of children.

Are plants poisonous?

Many houseplants and garden plants are poisonous if eaten.

A pharmacist can provide advice about poisonous plants. If you have small children, do not keep any poisonous houseplants - even if you place them out of reach, leaves may fall to the floor.

Plant poison often causes blisters and/or ulcers in your child's mouth or their tongue may start swelling.

What is poisonous in the garden?

Check which of the plants growing in your garden may have leaves, berries, flowers or fruit that could poison a child.

A garden shed is likely to contain decorating materials, paint, methylated spirits, turpentine, plant fertilizer, weedkiller, barbecue fire lighters and many more substances that are all extremely poisonous. Garden sheds should be locked at all times.

Guests

When you have guests politely ask them not to leave cigarettes or medicines where your children can get their hands on them.

Be vigilant when taking your child to visit friends - particularly those who don't have small children themselves and may not be aware of the potential hazards around their home. Find a diplomatic way to suggest that your hosts move any toxic substances to a safe place - tell them, if you like, that you're child is particularly curious and has a tendency to open interesting-looking bottles. Keep an eye on your child at all times.

What if my child is poisoned?

Try to stay calm and call a doctor immediately. The doctor will need as much of the following information as possible.

• What did the child eat/drink? Write it down.
• How much? Find out whether it is one tablet or half a bottle.
• The doctor will ask you what the child weighs.
• If you are going to Accident & Emergency, take some of the substance that your child has eaten/drunk.

Which medicines are used?

Inactivated charcoal is often used in hospital emergency departments as an antidote in cases of poisoning. Large doses are used to prevent the poison being absorbed from the stomach. Inactivated charcoal tablets are available to buy from pharmacies, but these are for the treatment of indigestion and flatulence only and should not be used at home to treat poisoning, as the dose they contain is far too small.

For this reason you shouldn't keep charcoal tablets as poisoning treatment in your first-aid kit. You should always consult a doctor or hospital emergency department in cases of poisoning.

In some cases of poisoning your doctor will recommend that you give your child milk. But only do this if the doctor has advised it.

Induced vomiting - or forcing your child to throw up - is necessary only in some cases of poisoning. Do it only if you know exactly what has poisoned the child and the doctor has told you to go ahead. If your child has swallowed a caustic substance it could be extremely dangerous for them to vomit, so always get medical advice first.

How can I protect my child

Although it is important to keep an eye on your children as much as you possibly can, it is simply not possible to know what they're up to 100 per cent of the time. For this reason, when it comes to preventing poisoning, the most important and practical measure is to ensure toxic substances are completely out of reach in the first place.

Make a thorough check of your house and garden, removing any harmful products and placing them in a securely locked cabinet.