Maldaptive Response

Table of Contents

Introduction

Pathophysiology refers to a branch of health care that analyzes the functional disturbances caused by infections or diseases. In essence, different diseases have different forms of pathophysiology. This is mainly manifested through the different maladaptive responses. The symptoms of a health complication might also help in establishing the type of pathophysiological responses. Consequently, understanding the maladaptive responses is a significant platform for enhancing the quality of health care for patients. This paper comprises of an evaluation of the pathophysiology of HIV and systemic lupus. In essence, both diseases have distinct pathophysiology.

HIV

The most outstanding effect of HIV is the suppression of the immune system. However, there are various perspectives that characterize the pathophysiology of HIV. Firstly, the virus weakens the T-helper cell. This has considerable weakening effect upon the capacity of the body system to generate antibodies.The continuous multiplication of HIV in the body system causes neuropathy as well as aseptic meningitis (Huether & McCance, 2012). This is mainly because HIV weakens the functionality of the central nervous system. These complications form the basis of dementia complex within an individual’s body system. Additionally, the reduction in the CD4 cell count further weakens an individual’s immune mechanism. Consequently, the patient is prone to numerous kinds of infections.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

The pathophysiological mechanism for systemic lupus is quite complex. The first attribute of the pathophysiological mechanism pertains to the production of antibodies for systemic lupus. This occurs because of different kinds of environmental imbalances. The foreign stimulus causes immune reaction and subsequent deactivation of the antibodies. This chain of reactions forms the basis of hypersensitivity in an individual’s body system.Another significant attribute of the maladaptive responses for systemic lupus pertains to abnormalities in apoptosis. This increases the generation of T cells within the body system and subsequently weakens the immune system. The derailed expulsion of dying cells from the body system undermines phagocytic functions. All these attributes demonstrate the pathophysiological mechanisms for systemic lupus.

Comparing the Maladaptive Responses

It is evidently clear that the maladaptive and pathophysiological mechanisms for the two disorders are distinct. Firstly, HIV mainly weakens the entire immune system of an individual. This forms the basis of contracting other infections such as tuberculosis. In contrast, the mechanism for systemic lupus only weakens some components of the immune system.It is also evidently clear that systemic lupus does not necessarily cause the incidence of other infections (Huether & McCance, 2012). The second difference between the two maladaptive mechanisms pertains to the capacity of systemic lupus to cause the generation of antibodies. In contrast, this type of maladaptive response does not occur in the pathophysiology for HIV. Hypersensitivity is another attribute that helps in presenting the differences between the two mechanisms. Whereas hypersensitivity occurs in systemic lupus, it is absent in the maladaptive response for HIV.

Effect of Genetics

One of the most outstanding factors that influence the progression of diseases within an individual’s body system is genetics. In essence, this attribute has an inherent capacity to influence the rate at which an infection derails the immune system of an individual. From the perspective of HIV maladaptive mechanisms, genetics influences the rate at which the virus curtails the effectiveness of an individual’s immune system. Whereas the responses might be manifested quickly in some individuals, the situation is different in other individuals. For systemic lupus, genetics have similar implications compared to HIV.

Reference

Huether, S. E. & McCance, K. L. (2012). Understanding pathophysiology. Philadelphia,PA: Elsevier Science Health

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