Multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS; previously known as multiple organ failure) is altered organ function in an acutely ill patient requiring medical intervention to maintain homeostasis. In biology, an organ (Latin: organum, instrument, tool) is a group of tissues, which perform a specific function or group of functions. ... Medicine on the Web NLM (National Library of Medicine, contains resources for patients and healthcare professionals) Virtual Hospital (digital health sciences library by the University of Iowa) Online Medical Dictionary Collection of links to free medical resources Category: ‪Medicine‬ ... Homeostasis or homoeostasis is the property of an open system, especially living organisms, to regulate its internal environment so as to maintain a stable condition, by means of multiple dynamic equilibrium adjustments controlled by interrelated regulation mechanisms. ...

MODS is the progressive impairment of two or more organ systems from an uncontrolled inflammatory response to a severe illness or injury. Sepsis and septic shock are the most common causes of MODS, with MODS being the end stage. (The progression from infection to sepsis to septic shock to MODS is known as systemic inflammatory response syndrome, or SIRS). Inflammation is the first response of the immune system to infection or irritation and may be referred to as the innate cascade. ... Sepsis (in Greek Σήψις, putrefaction) is a serious medical condition caused by a severe infection leading to a systemic inflammatory response. ... Septic shock is a serious medical condition causing such effects as multiple organ failure and death in response to infection and sepsis. ... In medicine, systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) is an inflammatory state of the whole body (the system). It is characterized by: fast heart rate (tachycardia, heart rate >90 beats per minute) low blood pressure (systolic <90 mmHg or MAP <65 mmHg) low or high body temperature (<36 or >38°C...

See also

• Acute renal failure
• Heart failure
• Respiratory failure
• Liver failure