Home / Articles A-Z
List of articles available within the symptomchecker.
- directly to all disorders -
- directly to all treatments -
- directly to all news articles-
Radical Remission, also known as spontaneous healing of cancer, is a rare and intriguing phenomenon in which cancer patients unexpectedly and inexplicably recover from their illness. Although a rare phenomenon, it has piqued the interest of the medical community and researchers are trying to understand what leads to this remarkable cure. In this ar...
read moreRadicular syndrome, also known as radicular pain, is a condition caused by compression or irritation of a nerve root in the spine. This can lead to pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness in the part of the body that is powered by that nerve root. In this article, we will discuss the symptoms, causes, and treatments of radicular syndrome. Symptoms of...
read moreHerpes zoster oticus, also called Ramsay Hunt syndrome or Ramsay Hunt syndrome type II, is a common complication of shingles. Shingles is an infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus, the virus that causes chicken pox. Shingles occurs in people who have had chicken pox and represents a reactivation of the dormant varicella-zoster virus. Herpes...
read moreA rash is a common skin condition characterized by changes in the texture, color and/or appearance of the skin. A rash can occur due to several factors, such as an allergic reaction, an infection, medication, or skin conditions. The symptoms of a rash can range from mild to severe, depending on the cause and location of the rash. The most common sy...
read moreRasmussen's encephalitis (RE) is a very rare, chronic inflammatory neurological condition that usually affects only one hemisphere (half) of the brain. It most often occurs in children under 10 years of age, but can also occur in adolescents and adults. It has features of an autoimmune disease in which cells of the immune system enter the brai...
read moreRaynaud's phenomenon is a condition that affects your blood vessels. It makes some parts of your body, especially your hands and feet, feel numb and cold in response to cold temperatures or stress. Raynaud's phenomenon is also called Raynaud's disease or Raynaud's syndrome. What happens with Raynaud's phenomenon? If you have Ray...
read moreGiant cell arteritis is a type of condition characterized by inflammation of the blood vessels. People with giant cell arteritis often have polymyalgia rheumatica , a condition associated with pain and stiffness in the neck, shoulder, and hip. What happens in giant cell arteritis? Giant cell arteritis causes narrowed arteries, which reduce blood fl...
read moreReactive arthritis is a type of spondyloarthritis, a group of conditions that can cause inflammation throughout the body (especially in the spine). Reactive arthritis is associated with inflammation of the joints, eyes and urinary tract and associated genital structures. These symptoms can occur alone, together, or not at all. Any of these symptoms...
read moreReading is an important skill for communication, education and most types of work. Reading disorders interfere with people's ability to read and affect how they learn to read. NICHD conducts and supports a variety of studies aimed at understanding the reading process, the mechanisms of reading disorders, and the best ways to help those who stru...
read moreRectal cancer, also known as rectal cancer, is a type of cancer that originates in the rectum, the last part of the large intestine. It can develop slowly and there may be no symptoms in the early stages. Below you will find information about the symptoms and treatments of rectal cancer. Symptoms of Rectal Cancer The symptoms of rectal cancer can v...
read moreRelapsing polychondritis is a rare autoimmune disease that leads to inflammation and breakdown of cartilage in the body. This can lead to painful and swollen joints, disfigurement of the ears and nose, and even life-threatening complications such as difficulty breathing. Symptoms of recurrent polychondritis The symptoms of recurrent polychondritis ...
read moreWhen cancer comes back after treatment, doctors call it a recurrence or recurring cancer . Finding out that cancer has come back can cause feelings of shock, anger, sadness, and fear. But you now have something you did not have before - experience. You have already experienced cancer and you know what to expect. Also remember that treatments may ha...
read moreA lowered immune system is a condition in which the body's immune system does not work properly, making the body less able to fight infections and diseases. This can lead to a greater risk of disease and infection. Causes of lowered resistance There are several causes of lowered resistance, including chronic diseases such as diabetes and kidney...
read moreReflux, also called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), is a condition in which stomach acid flows back into the esophagus, which can lead to irritation and inflammation. In this article, we discuss the symptoms and treatments of reflux. Symptoms of reflux The symptoms of reflux can range from mild to severe and may include: Heartburn, a painfu...
read moreRefractive errors are a type of vision problem that makes it difficult to see clearly. They occur when the shape of your eye prevents light from focusing properly on your retina (a light-sensitive layer of tissue in the back of your eye). Refractive errors are the most common type of vision problem. More than 150 million Americans have refractive ...
read moreAdult Refsum's disease (ARD) is a rare genetic disease that causes weakness or numbness of the hands and feet (peripheral neuropathy). Due to a genetic abnormality, people with ARD disease lack the enzyme in peroxisomes that breaks down phytic acid, a type of fat found in certain foods. As a result, toxic levels of phytic acid accumulate in the...
read moreRehabilitation medicine involves efforts to improve function and minimize the impairments associated with activities that may have been hindered by illness or injury. Disabling conditions such as stroke , traumatic brain injury and cerebral palsy , as well as musculoskeletal problems and pain, may require different levels of rehabilitation medicine...
read moreRenal insufficiency, also known as chronic kidney disease, is a serious condition in which the kidneys do not function properly and their ability to filter waste from the body is impaired. It is important to recognize the symptoms of renal insufficiency and to seek the right treatment in time. In this article, we discuss the symptoms and treatments...
read moreRenal pelvic inflammatory disease, also known as acute pyelonephritis, is a serious infection that affects the renal pelvis. It is usually caused by bacteria traveling from the urinary tract to the kidneys. This condition can lead to painful symptoms and needs prompt treatment to avoid complications. In this article, we discuss the symptoms of acut...
read moreRepetitive movement disorders (RMDs) are a family of muscle disorders that result from repetitive movements performed during normal work or daily activities. RMDs include carpal tunnel syndrome, bursitis, tendonitis, epicondylitis, ganglion cyst, tenosynovitis, and trigger finger. RMDs are caused by too many continuous repetitions of an activity or...
read moreRespiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, is a respiratory virus that infects the lungs and respiratory tract. Healthy people typically experience mild, cold-like symptoms and recover within a week or two. However, RSV can be serious, especially in infants and the elderly. RSV is the most common cause of bronchiolitis (inflammation of the small airways ...
read moreRespiratory disease is a common problem that can affect the nose, throat, trachea, lungs and other parts of the respiratory system. The symptoms can range from mild to severe and can lead to a reduced quality of life and even life-threatening situations. In this article, we discuss the symptoms and treatments of various respiratory diseases. Sympto...
read moreAlso known as Hyaline Membrane Disease, Neonatal Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Infant Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Surfactant Deficiency Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is a common respiratory disorder that affects newborns. RDS is most common in premature babies and affects almost all newborns born before 28 weeks of gestation. Less commonl...
read moreWe breathe oxygen from the air in our lungs and we breathe out carbon dioxide, which is formed in our body as waste gas. Breathing is essential to life itself. Oxygen has to travel from our lungs to our blood for our tissues and organs to function properly. Respiratory failure is a serious condition that occurs when the lungs cannot get enough oxyg...
read moreA respiratory infection is an infection of the nose, throat, sinuses, trachea, or lungs. The infection can be caused by viruses, bacteria or fungi. The most common forms of respiratory infections are colds and flu. Other forms of respiratory infections include bronchitis and pneumonia. In this article you can read more about the symptoms and treatm...
read moreRestless legs syndrome (RLS) is characterized by unpleasant sensations in the legs and an irresistible urge to move them. Individuals with the condition often describe the sensations as throbbing, pulling, or crawling. The sensations range in severity from uncomfortable to irritating to painful. Symptoms often occur in the late afternoon or evenin...
read moreRetinal deformity, also known as retinal deformity, is an eye condition in which the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye, bends or warps abnormally. This can lead to reduced vision and other visual problems. In this article, we'll discuss the symptoms of retinal deformity, as well as some possible treatments. Symptoms of r...
read moreWhat is AMD? Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is an eye disease that can blur the sharp, central vision you need for activities such as reading and driving. "Age-related" means that it often occurs in older people. "Macula" means that it affects a part of your eye called the macula. AMD is a very common condition - it is a...
read moreRetinal degeneration, also known as the yellow spot, is an eye condition that affects the central part of the retina. It can significantly affect vision and is one of the leading causes of permanent loss of central vision in older adults. In this article, we'll discuss the symptoms of wet retinal degeneration and highlight some possible treatme...
read moreRetinal detachment is an eye problem that occurs when your retina (a light-sensitive layer of tissue in the back of your eye) is pulled away from its normal position at the back of your eye. What are the symptoms of retinal detachment? If only a small part of your retina has become detached, you may not have any symptoms. But if more of your retin...
read moreRetinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a group of rare genetic disorders that involve the destruction and loss of cells in the retina - the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. Common symptoms include difficulty seeing at night and loss of side (peripheral) vision. The retina is the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye that contains phot...
read moreRetinoblastoma is a very rare childhood cancer that forms in the tissues of the retina. It can occur in one or both eyes. Most cases of retinoblastoma are not inherited, but in some cases they are, and children with a family history of the disease should have their eyes checked from an early age....
read moreRetinoblastoma is a type of cancer that forms in the retina (the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye). Who's at risk for retinoblastoma? The disease usually occurs in children under the age of 5 and can appear in one eye or both eyes. In some cases, the disease is inherited from a parent. What is the treatment for retinoblastoma? Ret...
read morePreterm retinopathy (ROP) is a potentially blinding eye condition that mainly affects premature babies who weigh about 2¾ pounds (1250 grams) or less and were born before 31 weeks of gestation (a full-term pregnancy is 38-42 weeks gestation). The smaller a baby is at birth, the more likely the baby is to develop ROP. This condition - which usually...
read moreOlfactory impairment, also known as pseudosmia, is a condition where there is a change or loss of the sense of smell. It can lead to experiencing abnormal odors, being unable to smell certain odors, or losing the sense of smell completely. It is important to recognize the symptoms of smell disorder and apply the right treatment to improve daily fun...
read moreReye's syndrome (RS) is primarily a childhood disease, although it can occur at any age. It affects all organs of the body, but is most damaging to the brain and liver - it causes an acute increase in pressure in the brain and often massive accumulations of fat in the liver and other organs. RS is defined as a biphasic disease because it usuall...
read moreRh incompatibility is a condition that occurs during pregnancy when a woman has Rh negative blood and her baby has Rh positive blood. "Rh negative" and "Rh positive" refer to whether your blood has Rh factor. Rh factor is a protein found on red blood cells. If you have Rh factor, you are Rh positive. If you don't have it, yo...
read moreRheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic (long-term) inflammatory disease that mainly affects the joints. RA causes pain, swelling, stiffness and loss of function in joints. It is an autoimmune disease because the immune system attacks healthy joint tissues. Normally, the immune system helps protect the body against infection and disease. Additional ...
read moreRheumatism is a term used to describe a range of conditions that affect the joints, bones, muscles, and other parts of the body. It is a very common condition that affects an estimated 1 in 5 adults, especially the elderly. Causes of rheumatism There are many different causes of rheumatism, including genetic factors, age, infections, inflammation, ...
read moreTinnitus is often described as ringing in the ears, but it can also sound like a roar, click, hiss or buzz. It can be soft or loud, high or low. You may hear it in one or both ears. About 10 percent of the adult population of the United States has experienced tinnitus for at least five minutes in the past year. This equates to nearly 25 million Ame...
read moreRingworm is a contagious fungal infection that affects the skin, scalp and nails. Despite the name, it is not caused by a worm but by a group of fungi called dermatophytes. These fungi thrive in warm and moist environments and can be contracted through direct contact with an infected person or animal, as well as through contaminated objects such as...
read moreRocky Mountain spotted fever is a tick-borne disease first recognized in 1896 in Idaho's Snake River Valley. It was originally called "black measles" because of the appearance of the rash in the late stages of the disease, when the skin turns black. It was a dreaded, often fatal disease that affected hundreds of people in Idaho. In th...
read moreDandruff is a common scalp condition characterized by scaly, itchy and red patches. It can also appear on other parts of the body, such as the face, ears, and chest. While dandruff is not dangerous, it can cause discomfort and uncertainty in people with this condition. In this article, we discuss the symptoms and treatments for dandruff. Symptoms o...
read moreRSI, or repetitive strain injury, is a condition that arises as a result of overloading certain muscles and tendons in the body. This can occur in people who regularly make repetitive movements, such as when using the computer for a long time. Causes of RSI RSI can be caused by repetitive movements, poor posture, too much strain on muscles and tend...
read moreBack strain is a common problem that occurs as a result of excessive strain or injury to the muscles, ligaments and structures of the back. It can lead to acute back pain and mobility limitations. Symptoms of acute back strain Back pain: Acute back strain is often accompanied by sudden and intense back pain. The pain may be local or radiate to adja...
read moreRunning is a popular form of exercise and a great way to stay fit. Short distances, such as a 5 km, are accessible to both beginners and experienced runners. In this article we discuss the symptoms that can occur during running and possible treatments to prevent or heal injuries. Symptoms while Running Fatigue: Running can be tiring, especially ove...
read more