When a person is he althy, he does not have to think about all sorts of complex medical terms. But if some kind of disease begins, you have to study a lot of literature in order to understand what is happening to you.
What is an alteration? This term means that complex processes of morphological changes in tissues have begun in the body. This is not yet a reason to worry. Primary alteration is not terrible. But the secondary already carries certain consequences, which are impossible to predict.
Alteration: deciphering the term
In medicine, alteration is pathological changes in cells. If the cells of an organ or connective tissue begin to change morphologically and cease to perform their functions, then it is said that tissue dystrophy has begun.
Dystrophy can be the result of 4 destructive processes:
- Transformation.
- Infiltration.
- Phanerosis or decomposition - the breakdown of complex substances.
- Perverted synthesis.
These processes invariably lead to disruption of the entire vital activity of the organism. If athe process of infiltration starts, then the inflammation in the tissues already lasts a long time. Infiltration is found in Graves' disease (thyroid disease), with atrophic changes in the parenchyma of organs, with tuberculous pneumonia.
Reasons for alteration
Due to the impact of adverse environmental factors, compensation mechanisms are activated in the body. But they are short lived. When there is a breakdown of compensatory capabilities, the processes of tissue destruction begin.
Often, alteration occurs against the background of inflammation due to ordinary injuries. For example, due to internal bleeding. Then you just need to stop the internal bleeding before peritonitis sets in - a life-threatening condition.
Classification of dystrophy
Dystrophies are classified according to certain criteria. By prevalence, localization, type of impaired metabolism.
Distinguished by localization:
- mixed;
- stromal-vascular - disorders in the stroma of the organ;
- parenchymal dystrophies - violations in the shell.
According to the type of disturbed metabolism, fat, protein, mineral are distinguished. Dystrophy is also carbohydrate. Depending on genetics, genetic or acquired disorders are distinguished.
What is an alteration? These are violations of the normal functioning of a group of cells of an organ. Some causes of violations can be eliminated. Others, such as genetic factors, cannot. Therefore, the doctor treating the alteration must clearly understand what is happening to the patient.
Alteration primary and secondary
If the primary alteration is a reaction to environmental signals, then the secondary one is already triggered by the organism 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 hypoxia, impaired blood circulation and nervous trophism. The stronger the accumulation of toxins in the body.
What is alteration - sorted out. The very word " alteration" means - change. Physico-chemical properties of tissues are modified. And the more inflammatory mediators like histamine, the greater the effects.
Consequences of dystrophic tissue changes
Primary alteration does not cause complex changes in the body. But it makes you worry. Secondary alteration is already capable of causing irreversible changes in the tissues of the organ. If the lungs are affected, such as pneumonia or fibrosis, then therapy will not lead to the initial he althy state of the lungs.
Inflammation of the internal organs cannot be seen without special instruments. 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 the muscles and the cardiovascular system can be affected, and even alteration of the tissues of the eyeball occurs.
Therapy
Recall what an alteration is. These are changes that can be stopped inprimary phase.
To stop the alteration, it is necessary to find the pathogenic factor and neutralize its influence, 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 needed.
When alteration occurs due to pulmonary or myocardial infarction, medical attention is needed immediately. Otherwise, after a few hours, necrosis (death) of tissues spreads in the organ.
