Medical dictionary

What is the Rafaelo® procedure? The Rafaelo® Procedure is a new procedure which offers a safe and effective treatment for haemorrhoids (piles).   Why is it done? There are many ways to treat haemorrhoids. Many of these treatments, such as over-the-counter creams or lotions, are only suitable for mild forms of haemorrhoids, and recurrence is frequent. Surgical options,

What is a ranula? A ranula is a type of mucocele found in the mouth. They present as clear or blue-tinged cysts and occur when a salivary gland becomes blocked. They are found on the floor of the mouth underneath the tongue. Often they are small and do not require treatment, however, if they become large they can create problems with speech, swallowing and chewing and require treatment.

What are rare blood disorders? Blood disorders can affect the red blood cells, which carry oxygen to the body’s tissues, the white blood cells, which fight infections and the platelets, which help blood to clot. When the normal process of blood cell growth and development does not function properly, some certain types of cells are produced in large quantities or in an abnormal form. This

What are rare diseases? Rare diseases affect less than 0.1 per cent of the population in the UK, according to the GOV.UK website. There are between 5,000 and 8,000 types. The majority of rare diseases have a genetic component and may only affect only a particular group of people in one part of the world, but may affect more in another. A good example of this is cystic fibros

What is a rash? A rash is an area of redness and widespread eruption of skin lesions, usually appearing as a result of an irritation or illness. There are various types of rashes, which are distinguished based on the colour, texture and cause. What are the most common types of rash? There are quite a few different types of rash, but the most common types are: Contact d

What is it?        Exanthema is a pinkish rash that generally happens due to an infectious disease (including; measles, scarlet fever, rubella, or infectious erythema.). It is more common in childhood. It can also be caused as a reaction to a virus; this is known as viral exanthem. If accompanied by a fever, it is known as exanthema subitum, which ge

What is Raynaud's disease?Raynaud’s disease is a common disorder of the blood vessels in the fingers and toes. The blood vessels narrow when a person feels cold or stressed out, which means the blood can’t get to the surface of the skin. The affected areas turn white and blue. When the blood flow returns, the skin turns red, and starts to throb and tingle.   What causes bo

What is analysed in a rearrangement of immunoglobulin genes in B cells test? Rearrangement of immunoglobulin genes in B cells is a test that detects specific alterations in the genes of B cells. These cells are a type of lymphocytes responsible for producing antibodies. During their development, it is normal for reordering to occur in specific parts of their DNA, known as immunoglobulin gene

What are receding gums? Receding gums, also known as gingival recession, occur when there is migration of the gum margin, exposing the root of the tooth. This can lead to considerable oral health issues. It is a fairly common oral pathology. There are four types of gingival recession, according to the Miller's classification: Class I: Marginal tissue recession below t