Glossary

Health Terms beginning with "R"

Radiation therapy

High dose x-rays or other high-energy rays to kill cancer cells.

Radical hysterectomy

Performed for certain cancers of the reproductive organs; removes the uterus, cervix, supporting ligaments and tissues, the upper portion of the vagina and the pelvic lymph nodes.

Radical mastectomy

Extremely invasive surgery reserved for very large tumors that are connected to the chest wall or have spread to the chest muscle and connective tissues. This operation removes the breast, underarm lymph nodes and chest muscles.

Radioactive iodine uptake test

During a radioactive iodine uptake test, you swallow a small amount of iodine that contains radioactive particles. This type of radioactive iodine does not damage thyroid tissue. The thyroid will absorb and metabolize the iodine within 24 hours. Special equipment is then used to measure the amount of radioactivity over the thyroid gland. If you have Graves' disease, the amount of iodine in the thyroid will be elevated; if you have a temporary form of hyperthyroidism it will be suppressed. A destructive type of radioactive iodine is used as a treatment for thyroid disorders: it shrinks the gland over a period of weeks or months.

Raloxifene

(Evista) A medication approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration to prevent and treat osteoporosis. It is a new form of medication known as a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM).

Randomization

A method used to prevent bias in research. Participants are assigned by chance to either the treatment or control group; it is like tossing a coin.

Rapid cycling

Four or more episodes of mania, hypomania or depression within a 12-month period.

Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep

A sleep state that occurs after about an hour and a half of non-rapid eye movement sleep and recurs at approximately 90-minute intervals during the night; when brain waves begin to show a more active pattern and dreaming occurs.

RA (radiographic absorptiometry)

A type of bone density test that measures bone density at the hand and wrist.

Rasmussen`s encephalitis

A progressive type of epilepsy in which the focus of epileptic activity expands over time. This type of epilepsy is sometimes treated with hemispherectomy.

Rationalization

A defense mechanism during which a person unconsciously attempts to justify or make tolerable feelings or behavior that otherwise would be intolerable.

Raynaud's disease

Raynaud's can involve an abnormal sensitivity to cold in the extremities, a temporary change in color and sensation in the fingers and toes, changes in skin color, pain and occasionally ulcers of the fingertips or toes.

Raynaud's phenomenon

Raynaud's can involve an abnormal sensitivity to cold in the extremities, a temporary change in color and sensation in the fingers and toes, changes in skin color, pain and occasionally ulcers of the fingertips or toes.

Rebound

The return of original symptoms when treatment stops.

Recessive

Many genetic diseases are recessive and manifest only if there are two copies—one from each parent—of the gene with the disease-causing mutation.

Reconditioning

An insomnia treatment that calls for teaching the patient to associate the bed and bedtime with sleep.

Reconstruction

An operation, after a mastectomy, to rebuild a breast.

Rectocele

Protrusion or herniation of the rectum into the vagina; a rectocele can occur if pelvic muscles have been weakened by childbirth.

Rectum

The last five to six inches of the colon leading to the outside of the body.

Recurrence

An outbreak or episode of viral replication and symptoms occurring after the primary outbreak. Recurrences may occur rarely or very frequently. Often, they become less severe and less frequent over time.

Reduction mammoplasty

A surgical procedure to reduce the size of the breasts.

Reference daily intakes (RDI)

These are guidelines established by the government for essential vitamins and minerals and, in selected groups, protein. The name “RDI" replaces the term "U.S. RDA." You can find out the RDIs of a food by reading the nutrition label.

Registered dietitian (RD)

A dietitian who has completed academic and experience requirements established by the American Dietetic Association, including a bachelor's degree, an accredited preprofessional experience program, successful completion of a national credentialing exam and ongoing continuing professional development.

Relapse

The return of a disease or addiction after a period of improvement.

Relapsing-remitting MS

The most common form of multiple sclerosis in which people will suffer a series of unpredictable attacks. With each subsequent attack, new symptoms may appear or existing symptoms become more severe. These attacks may occur for days or months. However, between attacks, there is stability and a type of remission when no problems or loss of function occurs. The attacks occur when the myelin sheath is inflamed, squeezing the nerve fibers so that messages can't pass clearly from the brain to other parts of the body. The frequency and severity of relapses vary. In a few cases, people with relapsing/remitting MS may go on to develop secondary progressive multiple sclerosis.

Relaxation techniques

Methods of relaxing that protect a person from stress by decreasing heart rate, lowering metabolism and slowing breathing.

Relaxation therapy

Learning specific and effective techniques or methods of relaxing that decrease heart rate, lower metabolism and slow breathing; an insomnia treatment.

Relenza

(zanamivir) The inhalant or nasal spray form of a new type of antiviral called a neuraminidase inhibitor.

Remicade (infliximab)

One of two medications developed in the late 1990s to treat and possibly stop the progression of rheumatoid arthritis. Known as biologic response modifiers.

Renal

Of the kidneys. A renal disease is a disease of the kidneys. Renal failure means the kidneys have stopped working properly.

Renin

A hormone that kidney cells release into the blood as a result of sodium depletion or low blood volume. It converts a particular liver protein into angiotensin, which ultimately helps the body decrease its sodium loss. Angiotensin also causes your small blood vessels to constrict, increasing blood pressure.

Reperfusing

Restoring blood flow.

Reproduction

The process of creating offspring (children).

Reproductive endocrinologist

A certified subspecialist physician who has received training (a residency) in obstetrics and gynecology and advanced training (a fellowship) in the treatment of infertility, recurrent miscarriages and hormonal disorders in women.

Rescue medications

Typically bronchodilators; medications that act quickly to stop an asthma attack once it has started by relaxing and opening—dilating—the bronchial tubes so more air is available.

Residency

The period after medical school and internship when a physician receives clinical training in a specific area of medicine.

Resorption

The process in which the body breaks down old bone and removes it through the bloodstream. This process continues throughout life, but varies significantly as you age.

Restless legs syndrome (RLS)

A sleep disorder in which you feel unpleasant sensations in the legs described as creeping, crawling, tingling, pulling or painful. Symptoms hinder your ability to sleep.

Restraining order

A court order that prohibits an abuser from having any contact with his or her victim.

Retina

The light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye that sends visual messages to the brain via the optic nerve.

Retinopathy

A disease of the small blood vessels in the retina of the eye.

Retrograde menstruation

This is believed to be the predominant cause of endometriosis. Instead of flowing out of the uterus, some menstrual blood containing endometrial tissue is pushed backward and out of the uterus through the fallopian tubes into the pelvic cavity.

Retrovirus

A type of virus that invades the body's cells and produces more RNA (ribonucleic acid) viruses.

Revision liposuction surgery

Additional liposuction needed to improve contour irregularities and body asymmetry resulting from previous liposuction surgery.

Rheumatoid arthritis

A chronic and potentially debilitating inflammatory disease that causes pain, swelling, stiffness and loss of function in the joints. It is an autoimmune disease. Such diseases are characterized by the immune system attacking the body's healthy tissues. White blood cells travel to the synovium (the membranes that surround joints) and cause inflammation or synovitis. The ensuing warmth, redness, swelling and pain are typical symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, which usually affects the wrist joints and the finger joints closest to the hand. The continuous inflammation associated with RA gradually destroys collagen, which coats the end of the bones. This narrows the joint space and eventually damages bone. The surrounding muscles, ligaments and tendons that support and stabilize the joint also become weak and unable to work normally.

Rheumatoid factor

An antibody eventually present in the blood of most rheumatoid arthritis patients. Blood tests can detect the presence of the antibody, but they are inconclusive, since not all people with rheumatoid arthritis test positive for rheumatoid factor.

Rheumatoid nodules

About one quarter of those with rheumatoid arthritis develop these bumps under the skin that often form close to the joints.

Rheumatologist

A physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating disorders that affect the joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments and bones.

Rhinitis

Inflammation of the mucous membranes of the nose, with a nasal discharge.

Rhinoscopy

(Nasal endoscopy) An examination of the nose and sinuses using an endoscope.

Ribavirin

An antiviral drug that is used in combination with interferon for treating hepatitis C virus (HCV).

Rimantadine

An antiviral that works by interfering with viral replication and is effective against type A influenza.

Risedronate

(Actonel) A type of bisphosphonate, which is a bone-specific medication used to treat and prevent osteoporosis. It has been shown to increase bone mass and reduce the risk of spinal and nonspinal fractures in women with osteoporosis.

Risk

The degree of probability or level of exposure to danger or disease.

Ritalin

A brand name for the drug methylphenidate. Belongs to a group of medicines called central nervous system stimulants. Ritalin works by increasing attention and decreasing restlessness in children and adults who are overactive, cannot concentrate for very long or are easily distracted and are impulsive.

Rosacea

An acne-like facial skin condition that generally first appears when people are in their 30s, 40s or 50s and is characterized by a redness on the nose, cheeks, chin or forehead.

Rose Bengal

A dye used to stain the eye to evaluate tear deficiency. The dye stains areas that are inadequately covered by the mucin layer of tears and shows any erosion areas on the eye's surface.