What does pathophysiology study?

Pathophysiology focuses on understanding how diseases affect the normal physiological processes of the body. This field merges the concepts of pathology (the study of diseases) and physiology (the study of normal bodily functions), allowing researchers and healthcare professionals to examine the underlying mechanisms that lead to the symptoms and effects of diseases on various organ systems.

By studying pathophysiology, one can gain insight into how specific diseases disrupt normal biological functions, leading to ailments that impact health and well-being. This knowledge is crucial for developing effective treatments and interventions.

The other options pertain to different aspects of health sciences. For instance, the chemical composition of substances relates more to biochemistry, while environmental interactions with health focus on epidemiology and environmental science. The historical occurrences of epidemics are studied in public health and history, not directly related to the physiological impacts of diseases on the body.