RA

radium

 [ra´de-um]

a chemical element, atomic number 88, atomic weight, 226, symbol Ra. (See Appendix 6.) Radium is highly radioactive and is found in uranium minerals. Radium-226 has a half-life of 1622 years. It and its short-lived decay products emit alpha particles, beta particles, and gamma rays. One of the decay products, radon-222, is a radioactive gas. In clinical use, radium is contained in a metal container that stops alpha and beta particles and traps radon.



Radium is used in radiation therapy for malignant diseases, particularly those that are readily accessible, for example, tumors of the cervix uteri, mouth, or tongue. In the form of needles or pellets, it can be inserted in the tumorous tissue (interstitial implantation) and left in place until its rays penetrate and destroy malignant cells. It can also be used in the form of plaques applied to the diseased tissue. Large amounts of radium are used as a source of gamma rays, which are capable of deep penetration of matter. Radium rays have been used in the treatment of lupus erythematosus, eczema, psoriasis, xanthoma, mycosis fungoides, and other skin diseases; for the removal of papillomas, granulomas, and nevi; for palliative treatment in carcinoma and sarcoma; and in myelogenous and lymphatic leukemia.

Miller-Keane Encyclopedia and Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, and Allied Health, Seventh Edition. © 2003 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved.

RA

Abbrviation for rheumatoid arthritis.

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Ra

Symbol for radium.

Farlex Partner Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012

RA

Abbreviation for:
radial
radial artery
radioactive
radioactivity
radioassay
radiographic absorptiometry
radionuclide angiography
radium
ragweed antigen
receptor antagonist
rectus abdominis
refractory anaemia
refractory ascites
regional advisor 
regional anaesthesia
regional assembly 
registration authority 
regression analysis
regulatory affairs
renal agenesis
renal artery
research associate 
respiratory arrest
retinoic acid
revenue account  
rheumatoid arthritis 
right arm
right anterior
right atrial
right atrium
rotational atherectomy
rounded atelectasis
route of administration

Segen's Medical Dictionary. © 2012 Farlex, Inc. All rights reserved.

RA

1. Refractory anemia.

2. Renin activity.

3. Retinoic acid.

4. Rheumatoid arthritis, see there.

5. Right atrium.

6. Risk assessment.

McGraw-Hill Concise Dictionary of Modern Medicine. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

RA

Abbreviation for remittance advice; rheumatoid arthritis.

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Ra

Symbol for radium

Medical Dictionary for the Health Professions and Nursing © Farlex 2012

Ra

Symbol for radium.

Medical Dictionary for the Dental Professions © Farlex 2012

Patient discussion about RA

Q. I have RA and would like to know is there anything i can do to keep my moovement free is walking ok how mush and how long

A. my grandma has it too, from what i understand - every patient is different. but it takes several of years. i recommend also taking Omega 3 fatty acids, they were proven to slow inflammation and RA is an inflammatory process. other then that the information above seems very good, i'll keep it in mind and try to implement it and help my grandma :)

Q. What should I expect from my pregnancy for the chances of RA? My mother is having rheumatoid arthritis for the past 23 years. After I was born she started having high muscle aches basically at knees. After diagnosis it was confirmed for RA. She says that this pain and the swelling of knees started after my birth. Now I am pregnant and she remains worried about my pregnancy and the chances of RA. I am too getting worried now with my growing weakness and pain in my joints. What should I expect from my pregnancy for the chances of RA?

A. Savannah, first congratulations for your pregnancy!

Actually RA is an autoimmune disease, the exact cause of RA is still unknown, but many researchers believe that one of the factor is genetic factor. since your mom had been diagnosed with RA, it means that you're in risk of having RA also.

Now that you're pregnant, you need to consult with your doctors about your risk factors. it doesn't always have to be you're also having RA. but during pregnancy, because of the body weight gain, it can make the RA more manifest, because of the weight load the affected joint has to bear.
If you are diagnosed also with RA, you need to consult with your ob-gyn doctor for the drugs of choice that is safe for the pregnancy.

Q. what do you know about actemra?

A. i know it's a good start...it was just approved(about 6 months ago..?). you see- RH is caused by inflammation in the joints. inflammation (calling of the body immune system) in the body needs some steps to occur. one of the steps is caused by a substance called IL-6.Actemra is an antibody that destroys the protein that bind IL-6. thus interfering in it's work and avoiding inflammation in the joints.

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