Page 7 - 84 human physiolofy part-1

Homeostasis

vague (e.g. fatigue), but if the anemia is severe the body will try to compensate by increasing
cardiac output, leading to palpitations and sweatiness, and possibly to heart failure.

• Toxins: Any substance that interferes with cellular function, causing cellular malfunction.
This is done through a variety of ways; chemical, plant, insecticides, and or bites. A commonly
seen example of this is drug overdoses. When a person takes too much of a drug their vital signs
begin to waver; either increasing or decreasing, these vital signs can cause problems including
coma, brain damage and even death.

• Psychological: Your physical health and mental health are inseparable. Our thoughts and
emotions cause chemical changes to take place either for better as with meditation, or worse as
with stress.

• Physical: Physical maintenance is essential for our cells and bodies. Adequate rest,
sunlight, and exercise are examples of physical mechanisms for influencing homeostasis. Lack
of sleep is related to a number of ailments such as irregular cardiac rhythms, fatigue, anxiety
and headaches.

• Genetic/Reproductive: Inheriting strengths and weaknesses can be part of our genetic
makeup. Genes are sometimes turned off or on due to external factors which we can have some
control over, but at other times little can be done to correct or improve genetic diseases.
Beginning at the cellular level a variety of diseases come from mutated genes. For example,
cancer can be genetically inherited or can be caused due to a mutation from an external source
such as radiation or genes altered in a fetus when the mother uses drugs.

• Medical: Because of genetic differences some bodies need help in gaining or maintaining
homeostasis. Through modern medicine our bodies can be given different aids -from anti-bodies
to help fight infections or chemotherapy to kill harmful cancer cells. Traditional and alternative
medical practices have many benefits, but the potential for harmful effects is also present.
Whether by nosocomial infections, or wrong dosage of medication, homeostasis can be altered
by that which is trying to fix it. Trial and error with medications can cause potential harmful
reactions and possibly death if not caught soon enough.

The factors listed above all have their effects at the cellular level, whether harmful or beneficial.
Inadequate beneficial pathways (deficiency) will almost always result in a harmful waiver in
homeostasis. Too much toxicity also causes homeostatic imbalance, resulting in cellular malfunction.
By removing negative health influences, and providing adequate positive health influences, your body
is better able to self-regulate and self-repair, thus maintaining homeostasis.

Homeostasis Throughout the Body

Each body system contributes to the homeostasis of other systems and of the entire organism. No
system of the body works in isolation, and the well-being of the person depends upon the well-being of
all the interacting body systems. A disruption within one system generally has consequences for several
additional body systems. Here are some brief explanations of how various body systems contribute to
the maintenance of homeostasis:

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