Unit 14: Physiological Disorders and their Care
Learning aim, A: Investigate the causes and effects of physiological
disorders
A1 Types of physiological disorders and effects on body systems and
functions
In this assignment I will be analysing my chosen physiological disorders and research
the effects of them on the body and how these disorders can be cared for.
A physiological disorder is a condition which affects the functions that take place in
the human body which then results into effects in the body and illness. There are
various effects which can happen to the body which can cause a physiological
disorder, for example cellular structures changing, having too little or too much of a
specific substance, blockages in the body. Physiological disorders can occur to
anybody, they can be born with the disorder or develop it later in life, some
physiological disorders can also be chronic meaning they cannot be cured however
there may be treatments and medication which can be taken to control the disorder.
Long term physical health conditions tend to be more prevalent in older individuals,
yet they still occur in those of all ages. In the UK, more than 15 million people have a
long-term health condition (Nuffield Trust, 2023).1
The Endocrine system is made up of various glands and organs which create
hormones. It uses hormones to control and coordinate your body's metabolism,
energy level, reproduction, growth and development, and response to injury, stress,
and mood. (John Hopkins Medicine, 2016). 2 However, if an individual’s endocrine
system is not functioning properly then it can have many effects on an individual's
body, from this they can develop an endocrine system disorder. Some of these
disorders which can be caused are diabetes, hypo or hyperthyroidism, Addison’s
disease. These disorders can have various effects on an individual's body, and the
severity of how it affects the body can vary depending on what disease has been
developed and how an individual controls the disease through medication, a change
of lifestyle, diet.
The Nervous system is made up of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. The nervous
system gathers all the information of all parts of the body and communicates it
between the brain and the body. Meaning that it controls what we feel, what our
bodies are doing and what we think like walking, feeling upset, breathing. The
nervous system helps control us day to day. If there is damage or issues in someone's
nervous system then they could develop a nervous system disorder, and nervous
system disorders can also occur due to genes, birth defects or because of
1
2
, degeneration when ageing. Some nervous system disorders are Alzheimer’s disease,
Parkinson’s disease, Motor neurone disease (MND). Most nervous system disorders
are different and can cause issues to various parts of the body and the way the brain
reacts. Most nervous system disorders cannot be cured however symptoms can be
treated through physical therapy, medicines, surgery, therapy.
The Musculo-skeletal system consists of our muscles, joints, and bones. The
musculo-skeletal system provides our bodies with support, structure, mobility, and
stability. The system is required in our bodies as it provides our bodies with a
framework for movement, supporting the body, and protecting vital organs. There are
disorders that can be caused to the musculo-skeletal system, this means the muscles,
bones and joints can be affected causing a disorder. These disorders can occur at
birth or develop over time depending on the disorder, the severity of the disorder can
affect people differently. Some musculo skeletal disorders are rheumatoid arthritis,
and osteoporosis, both disorders affect the bones, muscles, and joints involved in the
musculo skeletal system.
The Respiratory System allows us to breathe, the system consists of the nose,
mouth, voice box, throat, windpipe, and lungs. The respiratory system has the key
role of moving air into our bodies whilst also releasing and removing any waste
therefore meaning the respiratory system takes in oxygen and releases carbon
dioxide. The respiratory system is immensely necessary and important for us humans
as it allows us to breathe however, often some people may develop a respiratory
system disorder, there are various disorders which can happen in the respiratory
system it can caused by environmental factors such as air pollution, or social
behaviours such as smoking or breathing in second hand tobacco smoke (passive
smoking). Respiratory system disorders can also be caused through genetics such as
cystic fibrosis. Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are the
most common respiratory system disorders, the National Institue for Health, and Care
Excellence (NICE) estimate that there are 115,000 new diagnoses of COPD and 80,000
on average of asthma diagnoses per year (NHS England, 2022).
The Circulatory system, also known as the cardiovascular system compromises of
the heart, blood and the blood vessels. The system transports blood throughout the
body so that the tissues in the body receive enough oxygen and nutrients which flow
through the body and help in removing waste products such as carbon dioxide. The
circulation system also aids the body in maintain homeostasis within the body and
protects the body from diseases and infections as blood contains white blood cells
which fight off infections. Disorders can also occur which affect the functions of the
circulatory system, some of these disorders are coronary heart disease (CHD) and
leukaemia. CHD is currently and has been one of the most major diseases in the UK.
Circulatory system disorders can occur to anyone at any age and developing a
circulatory system disorder can happen because of one's lifestyle habits, if an
individual is to have an inactive lifestyle, they could develop high blood pressure and
be at higher risk of developing CHD. An individual may also develop a circulatory
disorder through their genes, or because of infections which have been caused by
bacteria.
Cancer is a disease which occurs when cells in an area of the body begin to grow and
uncontrollably spread to other areas of the body. The normal cells in the body will
become cancer cells meaning the cells have mutated and now they will not stop
dividing which causes a lump to form called a tumour. A tumour can either be a
