Transformations of Function: Causes of Disease

Transformations of Function: Causes of DiseaseTransformations of function and disease are often inextricably linked. Unfortunately, transforming a function into a disease often is not as simple as one might expect. The transformation may seem inevitable, but it often has to be initiated by individuals who have the experience, knowledge, and means to make it happen.Transformation of function is often associated with the aging process. Aging is a complex process that produces breakdowns in functions that make people function differently. This means that there will be gaps in function that can lead to disease.Just as aging creates gaps in function, so too does the aging process reduce functionality. For example, once a person has reached their mid-fifties, their ability to digest food has greatly diminished. Aging and functioning are often closely linked, because both are processes that become progressively more difficult over time. A person's age can help determine what degree of deter ioration of function that they will experience.Replacement of the function is another cause of disease. Certain types of cancer, for example, produce function from malfunctioning in other functions, making it a disease that produces functional breakdowns in the body.Transformation of function in a person is also seen in the elderly. As the aging process alters and defies the normal aging pattern, the functions of older adults change and the diseases that stem from them change.These problems occur because there is no longer a continuity between functions. It is important to note that the transformation of function is not always a cause of disease. Instead, it can sometimes be a symptom of a disease that is already present. There are many examples of transformation of function that could lead to the development of a disease.If you find that your health care provider is not clear about your symptoms, please seek out a health care specialist. We are all at risk for the transformation of a function that takes place in our bodies, and it is necessary to understand how it works and to be prepared to address it as a part of a proper diagnosis.