Health Conditions

Rectal examination

A rectal examination is a type of physical examinationduring whicha doctor or nurseinserts a finger into your rectum (back passage) to feel for abnormalities.

Recurrent limb pain in children

Growing pains are aches or pains, usually in the lower legs, that develop in the evening or night.Children aged between three and 12 may be affected.Although they can be distressin…

Red blood cell count

A red blood cell (RBC) count is a blood test that tells you how many red blood cells you have.

Red eye

A red eye can be alarming, but isoften just a sign of a minor eye condition, such asconjunctivitis or a burst blood vessel. If it's painful, there may be a more serious problem.

Reflux in babies

Babies often bring upmilk during or shortly after feedingthis is known as possetting or reflux.

Renal transplant

A kidney transplant is the transfer of a healthy kidney from one person into the body of a person who has little or no kidney function.

Research and clinical trials

A clinical trial compares the effects of one treatment with another.It may involve patients, healthy people, or both.

Respiratory distress syndrome, Neonatal

Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (NRDS) happens when a newborn baby's lungs aren't fully developed and they cannot provide enough oxygen. It usually affectspremature babies.

Restless legs syndrome

Restless legs syndrome, also known as Willis-Ekbom disease,is a common condition of the nervous system thatcauses an overwhelming, irresistible urge to move the legs.

Retinal detachment

Retinal detachment occurs when the thin lining at the back of your eye called the retina begins to pull away from the blood vessels that supply it with oxygen and nutrients.

Retinal migraine

Retinal migraine (ocular migraine) isan eye condition thatcauses brief attacks ofblindness or visual problems like flashing lights in one eye.

Retinoblastoma (eye cancer in children)

Retrograde ejaculation

Retrograde ejaculation is a rarer type of ejaculation problem. It happens when semen travels backwards into the bladder instead of through the urethra (the tube that urine passes t…

Rett syndrome

Rett syndrome is a rare genetic disorder that affects brain development, resulting in severe mental and physical disability.

Reye's syndrome

Reye's syndrome is a very rare disorder that can cause serious liver and brain damage. If it's not treated promptly, it may lead to permanent brain injury or death.

Rhesus factor disease

Rhesus disease is a condition where antibodies in a pregnant woman's blooddestroy her baby's blood cells. It's also known as haemolytic disease of the foetus and newborn (HDFN).

Rheumatic endocarditis

Rheumatic endocarditis is an inflammation of the endocardium. The inflammatory process if mostly localized in the valve endocardium, the layer which covers the tendons and papillar…

Rheumatic fever

Rheumatic fever (RF) is an inflammatory disease that can involve the heart, joints, skin, and brain. The disease typically develops two to four weeks after a streptococcal throat i…

Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a long-term condition that causes pain, swelling and stiffness in the joints.The symptomsusually affect the hands, feet and wrists.

Rhinitis, allergic

Allergic rhinitis is inflammation of the inside of thenose caused by an allergen, such as pollen, dust,mould,or flakes of skin from certain animals .

Rhinitis, allergic

Rhinitis, non-allergic

Non-allergic rhinitisis inflammation of the inside of the nose that is n't caused by an allergy.

Rib injuries

Broken (fractured) or bruised ribs are usually caused by a fall or blow to the chest, or occasionally by severe coughing. They can be very painful, but will normally improve within…

Rib, cervical

A cervical rib is an extra rib that forms above the normal first rib, growing from the base of the neck just above the collarbone. The defect is present at birth, but usually not n…