Preksha Dhyana Human Body Part 2

Author(s): Jethalal S Zaveri
Publisher: Jain Vishva Bharati

Page 56

Dysfunction and Disorders
Homeostasis
We are subjected to continual changes in the conditions of the external environment-light and darkness, heat and cold, humidity and dryness. We have mechanisms for maintaining a relatively constant internal environment, despite changes in the external world. For instance, our body temperature is kept constant within a relatively narrow tolerance, inspite of wide fluctuations of the external conditions. As we have seen in the previous chapter, chemical composition of the body fluids is well-controlled too.
Homeostasis is the central theme of the physiologists' studies. In a sense, virtually everything in this book relates to homeostasis in one way or another. it is not a static condition but a dynamic equilibrium, a matter of continual adjustment for maintenance of equilibrium between the organism and the environment.
Normal values or normal ranges of values of various body-indices given in this book are characteristics of the healthy body. Abuses to which we subject our internal organs result in their dysfunctions and lead to the disorders of the system with which they are associated. Homeostatic mechanisms may become less efficient. The body temperature may rise, or specific components of the blood may be higher or lower than normal. Consequently body defences lose their normal efficiency; body indices deviate from the normal and give indication of disease. Such deviations are clinical clues to the diagnosis of diseases. Restoration of homeostasis is essential to life and health.
45