Diseases & conditions A-Z List
Diseases & Conditions A-Z List - «K»:
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Karyotyping
Karyotyping is a test to examine chromosomes in a sample of cells, which can help identify genetic problems as the cause of a disorder or disease. This test can:
Count the number of chromosomes
Look for structural changes in chromosomes
How the Test is Performed
The test can be performed on almos...
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Kawasaki disease
Kawasaki disease is a rare condition in children that involves inflammation of the blood vessels.
Causes
Kawasaki disease occurs most frequently in Japan, where the disease was first discovered. In the United States, after congenital heart defects, Kawasaki disease is the leading cause of heart dis...
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Kegel exercises
Kegel exercises are a series of pelvic muscle exercises designed to strengthen the muscles of the pelvic floor.
Information
Kegel exercises are recommended for:
Women with urinary stress incontinence
Some men who have urinary incontinence after prostate surgery
People who have fecal incontinence...
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Kegel exercises - self-care
Kegel exercises can help make the muscles under the uterus, bladder, and bowel (large intestine) stronger. They can help both men and women who have problems with urine leakage or bowel control.
You may have these problems as you get older or if you gain weight, after pregnancy and childbirth, or af...
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Keratoconus
Keratoconus is degeneration of the structure of the cornea. The cornea is the clear tissue covering the front of the eye.
The shape of the cornea slowly changes from the normal round shape to a cone shape.
Causes
The cause is unknown, but the tendency to develop keratoconus is probably present from...
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Keratosis obturans
Keratosis obturans is the build up of extra skin cells and flakey skin in the ear canal. It may be associated with pain or mild hearing loss....
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Keratosis pilaris
Keratosis pilaris is a common skin condition in which a protein in the skin called keratin forms hard plugs within hair follicles.
Causes
Keratosis pilaris is harmless (benign), does not get worse over time, and often disappears with age. It is more common in patients who have very dry skin, or who...
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Kernicterus
Kernicterus is a rare neurological condition that occurs in some newborns with severe jaundice.
See also: Newborn jaundice
Causes
Kernicterus is caused by very high levels of bilirubin. Bilirubin is a yellow pigment that is created in the body during the normal recycling of old red blood cells. Hi...
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Kerosene
Kerosene is an oil used as a fuel for lamps, as well as heating and cooking. This article discusses the harmful effects from swallowing or breathing in kerosene.
This is for information only and not for use in the treatment or management of an actual poison exposure. If you have an exposure, you sho...
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Ketones - urine
A ketones urine test measures the presence or absence of ketones in the urine.
How the Test is Performed
The test requires a clean catch urine sample.
To obtain a clean catch sample, men or boys should clean the head of the penis. Women or girls need to wash the area between the lips of the vagina ...
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Ketoprofen overdose
Ketoprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Ketoprofen overdose occurs when someone accidentally or intentionally takes more than the normal or recommended amount of this medication.
This is for information only and not for use in the treatment or management of an actual poison expo...
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Kidney disease
Kidney disease is any disease or disorder that affects the function of the kidneys. This may include:
Acute kidney failure
Acute nephritic syndrome
Analgesic nephropathy
Atheroembolic renal disease
Chronic kidney failure
Chronic nephritis
Congenital nephrotic syndrome
End-stage renal...
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Kidney disease - resources
The following organizations are good resources for information on kidney disease:
National Kidney Disease Education Program - www.nkdep.nih.gov
National Kidney Foundation - www.kidney.org
National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse - http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov
American Kidne...
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Kidney function tests
Kidney function tests are common procedures used to evaluate kidney (renal) function. Refer to the following documents for details of how each test is performed:
BUN
Creatinine - blood
Creatinine clearance
Creatinine - urine
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Kidney removal
Kidney removal, also called nephrectomy, is surgery to remove all or part of a kidney. You may be having:
Part of one kidney removed (partial nephrectomy)
All of one kidney removed (simple nephrectomy)
Removal of all of one kidney, lymph nodes, and the adrenal gland (radical nephrectomy)
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