Diseases & conditions A-Z List
Diseases & Conditions A-Z List - «R»:
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Rabies
Rabies is an often deadly viral infection that is mainly spread by infected animals.
Causes
Rabies is spread by infected saliva that enters the body through a bite or broken skin. The virus travels from the wound to the brain, where it causes swelling, or inflammation. This inflammation leads to sy...
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Radial nerve dysfunction
Radial nerve dysfunction is a problem with the movement or sensation of the back of the arm (triceps), forearm, or hand.
Causes
Radial nerve dysfunction is a form of peripheral neuropathy. It occurs when there is damage to the radial nerve, which travels down the arm and controls movement of the tr...
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Radiation enteritis
Radiation enteritis is damage to the lining of the intestines (bowels) due to radiation therapy, a type of cancer treatment.
Causes
Radiation therapy uses high-powered x-rays, particles, or radioactive seeds to kill cancer cells.
Along with the cancer cells, radiation therapy may also damage cells ...
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Radiation sickness
Radiation sickness is illness and symptoms resulting from excessive exposure to radiation. Exposure may be accidental or intentional (as in radiation therapy).
Considerations
There are two basic types of radiation: ionizing and nonionizing.
Nonionizing radiation comes in the form of light, radio wa...
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Radiation therapy
Radiation therapy uses high-powered x-rays, particles, or radioactive seeds to kill cancer cells.
Information
Cancer cells multiply faster than normal cells in the body. Because radiation is most harmful to rapidly growing cells, radiation therapy damages cancer cells more than normal cells. Specif...
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Radiation therapy - what to ask your doctor
You are having radiation therapy to try to kill cancer cells. You may receive radiation therapy alone or also have other treatments. Your doctor or nurse may need to follow you closely while you are having radiation therapy. You will also need to learn how to care for yourself during this time.
Belo...
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Radical prostatectomy
Radical prostatectomy is surgery to remove all of the prostate gland and some of the tissue around it, to treat prostate cancer.
See also: Prostate resection - minimally invasive
Description
There are four main types of radical prostatectomy surgery. These procedures take about 3 to 4 hours:
Rad...
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Radical prostatectomy - discharge
You had surgery to remove all of your prostate, some tissue near your prostate, and probably some lymph nodes. This was done to treat prostate cancer.
Your surgeon may have made an incision (cut) either in the lower part of your belly or in the area between your scrotum and anus (open surgery).
You...
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Radioactive iodine uptake
Radioactive iodine uptake (RAIU) is a test of thyroid function. It measures how much radioactive iodine is taken up by the thyroid gland in a given time period.
See also:Thyroid scan
How the Test is Performed
You are asked to swallow a liquid or capsule containing radioactive iodine.
After a certa...
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Radionuclide cisternogram
A radionuclide cisternogram is a nuclear scan test used to diagnose spinal fluid circulation problems.
How the Test is Performed
A lumbar puncture (spinal tap) is done first. Small amounts of radioactive material, called a radioisotope, are injected into the fluid in the lower spine.
You will b...
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Radionuclide cystogram
A radionuclide cystogram is a special imaging tests called a nuclear scan that involves placing radioactive material into the bladder. A scanner then detects radioactivity to check bladder and urinary tract functions.
How the Test is Performed
The specific procedure may vary slightly depending on ...
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Ramsay Hunt syndrome
Ramsay Hunt syndrome is a painful rash around the ear that occurs when the varicella zoster virus infects a nerve in the head.
Causes
The varicella zoster virus that causes Ramsay Hunt syndrome is the same virus that causes chickenpox (varicella) and shingles.
In people with Ramsay Hunt syndrome, t...
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Rape
Rape is defined as sexual intercourse forced on a person without his or her permission, either by threat of force or on someone who is unable to give consent.
Sexual intercourse may be vaginal, anal, or oral, and may involve the use of a body part or an object.
Information
According to most estimat...
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Rape prevention
Rape is defined as sexual intercourse forced on a person without his or her permission. The most useful rape prevention tool available is to be more aware about rape. Always trust your instincts if you are somewhere or with someone that does not feel safe and comfortable.
Information
The following ...
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Rapid shallow breathing
A normal breathing rate for an adult at rest is 8 to 16 breaths per minute. For an infant, a normal rate is up to 44 breaths per minute. Tachypnea is the medical term that your doctor uses to describe your breathing if it is too fast, particularly if you have rapid, shallow breathing due to an assoc...
