What is the primary purpose of pathophysiology?

The primary purpose of pathophysiology is to understand the alteration in normal physiological processes due to disease. This field bridges basic biological science and clinical medicine, enabling healthcare professionals to comprehend how injuries and diseases disrupt homeostasis and the normal functioning of the body. By studying the mechanisms underlying various diseases, practitioners can identify the signs and symptoms associated with specific illnesses, facilitating more effective diagnosis and treatment strategies.

While developing new pharmacological drugs is critically important in medicine, it is more directly tied to pharmacology than to pathophysiology. Similarly, while enhancing psychological therapies and exploring environmental impacts are valuable in their respective domains of medicine, they do not encompass the broader scope of how diseases affect bodily functions at a physiological level. Understanding these changes through pathophysiology is essential for informed clinical practice and advancing medical knowledge.