Disease or adaptation: another look at the practice of medicine

ABSTRACT

The practice of medicine has changed considerably over the past few decades and is now focusing more and more on early intervention strategies. As a result, we tend to consider pre-symptomatic abnormalities, however small, already as a potential target for treatment. In this viewpoint, we argue that we should put more emphasis on pathophysiological thinking as many of the so-called early abnormalities may, in fact, reflect adaptive mechanisms rather than disease. This view should influence medical care and education, emphasizing the importance of knowledge of pathophysiology.

KEYWORDS:

• Pathophysiology
• homeostasis
• insulin resistance
• wound healing
• adaptation

Acknowledgments

None reported.

Declaration of interest

PBS and PWdL declare no conflict of interest and that no funds were received for the preparation of this manuscript. PGM peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

This manuscript received no funding.