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Homeostatic Imbalance

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Homeostatic Imbalance The tendency to maintain a constant internal environment is called homeostasis. Homeostasis refers to the internal balance the body must maintain to ensure health. Every Human cell, organ and system in the body relies on a stable environment to function. Fluids and biochemicals must be supplied in specific amounts and body temperature must be kept within a limited range. There are so many factors that can result to an imbalance and stress is one of them. Stress is anything that creates an imbalance. Whether it's a hot day, emotional distress, an injury or tumor, our ongoing health depends on the ability of internal systems to quickly adjust to imbalances and reset homeostasis. This process, controlled through feedback systems, ensures that the body’s internal environment remains stable despite changes in the external environment. Feedback systems are composed of a receptor, a control center, and an effector. When one or more of the components do not function properly the body is placed in a state of homeostatic imbalance. Positive and negative feedbacks are equally important for the healthy functioning of one's body and to restore and maintain the body's physiological systems within a normal functional range. Complications can arise if any of the two feedbacks are affected or altered in any way leading to homeostatic imbalance.
Many diseases are a result of homeostatic imbalance. As we age, every organism will lose efficiency in its control systems. The inefficiencies gradually result in an unstable internal environment that increases the risk for illness. In addition, homeostatic imbalance is also responsible for the physical changes associated with aging. Even more serious than illness and other characteristics of aging is death. Some of the Diseases that result from a homeostatic imbalance include diabetes, dehydration, hypoglycemia,

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