Understanding the Physiology of the Body

Physiology is the study of cellular functions in an organism. As a subdivision of chemistry, physiology aims to understand how various cells, organ systems, tissues, and even biomolecules perform the physical and chemical functions in an organism. There are many areas in physiology that need study and research. One of these areas is called the field of endocrinology.

Endocrinology is the branch of physiology that studies the cell physiology, development and function of the endocrine system and the hypothalamus. This area also looks into the relationship between the endocrine and nervous system. It explores how these systems interact to maintain the proper functioning of all tissues and organs within the body. There are many topics in the area of endocrinology that vary depending on the region of the world where it is located.

One of the areas of physiology that deals heavily with abnormal development and growth is childhood diseases. All over the world, there are many children that have learning and developmental disorders that are not typical for their age. One of the most common ailments in this area is allergies. Children with allergies face many challenges when they are growing up. Allergies and the disorders that are associated with it can be very difficult to diagnose and to treat at times.

Another area of study deals with diseases and disorders of the kidney and its function. The kidneys affect many parts of the body and their ability to filter toxins from the body. Diseases of the kidney can range from simple to complicated medical conditions. Kidney disease will lead to complications if the kidneys are not able to filter toxins efficiently. A good example of a kidney disease is chronic pyelonephritis, which is a painful urinary tract infection.

Neurophysiology deals with all the areas and organs of the body. The major functions of the five senses are located in the brain. This area of study encompasses all the nerves and their functions such as vision, hearing, taste, smell, and touch. Any problems in these areas will affect the sense organs and the individual.

Pharmacology deals with the interactions of drugs and chemicals with the cells and tissues of the body. One of the most important areas of pharmacology is that of drug abuse and addiction. Drug abuse results in the increase of use of a drug that leads to increasing the production of the drug in the body. When a person becomes dependent upon a drug, then the normal functions of the cells and tissues in the body will decrease when that person does not take that drug. The consequences of drug abuse can be very severe and include things like damage to the brain, increased damage to the liver and kidney, as well as the gradual destruction of the surrounding tissue.

Neuroendocrinology studies the functions of the hormones that regulate cell growth and development. Hormones are produced by the pituitary gland. These hormones help to control the rate of metabolism in various areas of the body. When abnormalities occur in the production or release of hormones, the results can be devastating. Diseases associated with abnormal secretion of hormones include diabetes, Lupus, thyroid disorders, polycystic ovarian syndrome, cancer, and autoimmune disorders such as Lupus, scurvy, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Pathophysiology studies the physical causes of diseases and their treatments. It includes areas such as infection, poison, radiation, chemicals, and inflammation. Often times, it is possible to determine the cause of an ailment by examining the local tissues. These areas of study include the lungs, kidneys, heart, spleen, stomach, intestines, blood, and brain.

Pharmacology studies how drugs affect the cell function and action in the body. Pharmacological changes affect both the actions of drugs and their concentration in the body. There are three major areas of pharmacology. These include metabolic, therapeutic, and antineoplastic. Each area attempts to understand how drugs affect the cell, as well as the cells in other areas such as the blood, red blood cells, and other organs.

Pathophysiology studies the pathophysiological relationships between a disease and its effect on the cell. The effects of an ailment on the cell can either harm or repair the cell. Cardiovascular diseases, for example, damage the cells in the coronary arteries. Disease-related pathophysiology attempts to understand how these diseases affect the body so that the appropriate treatment can be given.

All of these areas of study are important to the medical community. Without them, we would not know how to cure and treat diseases. For example, understanding the physiology of the heart enables doctors to determine the best ways to strengthen the heart and prevent cardiac problems. It also allows them to know the different ways to treat patients with heart problems, whether they be heart disease angina, or hypertension.