Medical dictionary

What is retinal vein occlusion? Retinal vein occlusion is a blockage in the vein that carries blood away from the retina. The retina is a layer of tissue at the back of your eyeball and is responsible for turning light into brain signals. The retina needs a steady supply of blood to function. If it has too little blood or blood becomes trapped in the retina, it can cause cell damage. Beca

What is retinitis pigmentosa? Retinitis pigmentosa is a group of eye diseases that affects peripheral and night vision and can lead to loss of sight. It develops as a result of certain genetic disorders that can cause the breakdown of cells in the retina. The retina, which is at the back of the eye, converts light into signals to the brain and gives us the ability to see. If these p

What is retinopathy? Retinopathy encompasses all non-inflammatory diseases affecting the retina. The most common are diabetic retinopathy, hypertensive retinopathy (a complication of hypertension) and retinitis pigmentosa. Diabetic retinopathy, a vascular complication of diabetes, is the most common type of retinopathy. The retina is a thin layer of light-sensitive tissue made up of small

What is Rezūm? Rezūm is a new minimally-invasive treatment for benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) aimed at relieving lower urinary tract symptoms. It can be performed under local anaesthetic or general anaesthetic by a specialist urological surgeon. When is Rezūm needed? Rezūm is one of a range of treatments for BPH aimed mainly at relieving the symptoms rather than necessari

What are rheumatic diseases? The term “Rheumatic” often sounds and feels a little outdated in the modern medical world which is partly explained by its ancient origins from the Latin term “Rheumaticus” – a problem with “flow”. This itself has even more ancient origins from the Greek language. This can make rheumatic conditions seem somewhat a mystery, s

What is rheumatic fever?   Rheumatic fever is an inflammatory and immune disease that causes the body to attack its own tissue. It develops when conditions caused by a bacterial infection streptococcal are not treated, such as strep throat and scarlet fever. Rheumatic fever is suffered mainly by children. It affects the heart, joints, skin, blood vessels and brain.  

What is rheumatism?Rheumatism was the common name given to musculoskeletal disorders that affect one or more structures, such as ligaments, tendons, muscles, and bones. The term is no longer used by medical professionals, yet words similar to rheumatism, such as rheumatoid and rheumatology, are still in use. Today, doctors are much more specific in their diagnoses regarding rheumatic diseases and

What is rheumatoid arthritis?   Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic and degenerative disease that causes joint inflammation. There are certain areas of the body that this type of rheumatic condition affects more than others, which include the wrists, fingers, toes, elbows, shoulders, hips, knees, and ankles. Joint inflammation normally causes pain, deformity, and movement issues, as

What is being analysed? The rheumatoid factor (RF) test is a diagnostic tool used to detect the presence of antibodies in the blood that target healthy tissues, particularly in rheumatoid arthritis. What does the result signify? A positive result for RF indicates the presence of antibodies that may attack healthy tissues, leading to inflammation and joint damage characteristic of rheu