Nursing homework help| Nursing homework help
Cellular level. Damage to specific cells or groups of cells at the cellular level can lead to disease. The disease could appear as either a genetic defect that results in an abnormally produced protein or decreased functionality because of inflammation. Either way, it can interrupt cell communication and lead to a disruption in normal functioning.
Tissue level: Diseases can occur at the tissue-level due to disruptions in the interaction of different elements. For instance, if there is an increase in collagen production due to chronic inflammation then it could lead to scarring and fibrosis—a condition where tissues become thickened and less functional. In addition, hormones produced by malfunctioning organs can have adverse effects on nearby tissues or cause hormonal imbalances.
Organ Level: Diseases at the organ level manifest themselves as changes in structure and function. This can include atrophy (shrinking), due to lack of exercise/stimulation, or hypertrophy (enlargement), due to excessive strain. If left untreated both can result in serious consequences. The underlying condition may also affect the production of certain substances, while other organs might be less active.
All three levels of the system are interconnected and need to be maintained in a healthy state. A failure on one level can lead to a chain reaction, which may cause further problems throughout the body. Understanding how each of these systems works will help us to spot potential problems sooner than we think. Then, appropriate intervention can be made before permanent damage is done.