Find out about Raynaud’s phenomenon, a common condition that affects the blood supply to certain parts of the body, usually the fingers and toes. OVERVIEW Raynaud’s phenomenon is common and does not usually cause severe problems. You can often treat the symptoms yourself by keeping warm. Sometimes it can be a sign of a more […]
Find out why you might need to have a red blood cell (RBC) count and what the results could indicate. OVERVIEW A red blood cell (RBC) count is a blood test that tells you how many red blood cells you have. Red blood cells contain a substance called haemoglobin, which transports oxygen around the body. The amount […]
Find out when to get medical advice if you have a red eye, and read about the most common causes. OVERVIEW A red eye is usually nothing to worry about and often gets better on its own. But sometimes it can be more serious and you’ll need to get medical help. COMMON CAUSES OF A […]
Sarcoidosis is a rare condition that causes small patches of red and swollen tissue, called granulomas, to develop in the organs of the body. OVERVIEW Sarcoidosis is a rare condition that causes small patches of red and swollen tissue, called granulomas, to develop in the organs of the body. It usually affects the lungs and […]
Read about severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), a highly contagious, serious and potentially life-threatening form of pneumonia. OVERVIEW SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) is caused by the SARS coronavirus, known as SARS CoV. Coronaviruses commonly cause infections in both humans and animals. There have been 2 self-limiting SARS outbreaks, which resulted in a highly contagious and […]
Find out what soft tissue sarcomas are, what symptoms they can cause and how they’re treated. OVERVIEW Soft tissue sarcomas are a group of rare cancers affecting the tissues that connect, support and surround other body structures and organs. Tissues that can be affected by soft tissue sarcomas include fat, muscle, blood vessels, deep skin tissues, […]
Read about temporal arteritis (giant cell arteritis), a condition where arteries, usually in the head and neck, become inflamed. Find out what the symptoms are, how it’s treated and when to get medical help. OVERVIEW Temporal arteritis (giant cell arteritis) is where the arteries, particularly those at the side of the head (the temples), become […]
Read more about temporomandibular disorder (TMD), which is a problem affecting the \”chewing\” muscles and the joints between the lower jaw and the base of the skull. OVERVIEW Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is a condition affecting the movement of the jaw. It’s not usually serious and generally gets better on its own. Signs of TMD include: […]
Read about transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), a method of pain relief that involves the use of a mild electrical current. OVERVIEW Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is a method of pain relief involving the use of a mild electrical current. A TENS machine is a small, battery-operated device that has leads connected to sticky […]
Find out when your urine albumin to creatinine ratio (ACR) should\r\nbe measured. ACR values can help identify kidney disease that occurs as a complication of diabetes. OVERVIEW Urine albumin to creatinine ratio (ACR), also known as urine microalbumin, helps identify kidney disease that can occur as a complication of diabetes. If kidney disease is diagnosed early […]
