RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) is a virus that can lead to a respiratory infection in babies, children and adults of all ages. An RSV infection usually causes a mild, cold-like illness that goes away in one to two weeks. But RSV can sometimes cause severe symptoms and lead to complications, especially in children under age 5, adults over age 65 and people …
Residual limb pain, sometimes called stump pain, is a type of pain felt in the part of a limb that remains after an amputation. It occurs in about half of people who have had an amputation. It may occur soon after the surgery, often within the first week, but may also last beyond healing. Residual limb pain usually isn’t severe, …
Renal artery stenosis (RAS), or renal artery disease, is a narrowing of the arteries that carry blood from your heart to your kidneys. You have two renal arteries that supply blood to your right and left kidneys. One or both of these arteries can develop stenosis. Renal artery stenosis can lead to hypertension (high blood pressure), chronic kidney disease or …
REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD) is a condition in which you physically and/or vocally act out your dreams while in the rapid eye movement (REM) stage of sleep. You’re unaware of your actions while you’re asleep. RBD is a parasomnia, which is a sleep disorder that involves unusual and undesirable physical events or experiences that disrupt your sleep. REM sleep is when you tend …
Breast cancer recurrence is when you have breast cancer that comes back (recurs) after treatment. Breast cancer can come back months or years after you’ve finished treatment. Healthcare providers can treat recurrent breast cancer, but it can come back again. What are the types of breast cancer recurrence? The type depends on where the cancer comes back: Local: Cancer returns in the same breast (chest) area as …
A rectovaginal fistula is a tunnel-like opening that develops between your vagina and rectum. Your vagina is a tube that connects your uterus to your vulva (genitals outside your body). Your rectum is the part of your digestive system that connects your large intestine (colon) to your anus. It holds stool and gas until your body releases them. In a …
Your rectum is the last segment of your large intestine before your anus. This is where poop prepares to exit your body. When poop arrives in your rectum, it triggers the urge to defecate (poop), and a network of muscles pushes the poop out through your anus. But when rectal prolapse occurs, the rectum itself travels with it, slipping down telescope-style into the anal canal …
Raynaud’s (pronounced ray-nodes) syndrome is a disorder that affects small blood vessels in your fingers and toes. It may also affect blood vessels in your nose, lips or ear lobes. Raynaud’s causes you to have episodic spasms, called vasospastic attacks, in response to cold temperatures or stress. During a Raynaud’s attack, the arterioles and capillaries in your fingers and toes tighten more than they should. As …
Radiation enteritis is a condition that occurs when radiation therapy causes damage to your intestines. Radiation therapy uses radioactive substances to destroy abnormal cells. It’s a common treatment for cancer and certain blood disorders. Other terms that describe this condition include: Pelvic radiation disease. Radiation colitis. Radiation enteropathy. Radiation-induced bowel disease. Radiation mucositis. What are the types of radiation enteritis? The …
Rabies virus (RABV) is transmitted through direct contact (such as through broken skin or mucous membranes in your eyes, nose, or mouth) with saliva or brain/nervous system tissue from an infected animal. Rabies is fatal but preventable. It can spread to people and pets if they are bitten or scratched by a rabid animal. What happens when you get rabies? …