Health A to Z

Kawasaki disease

A fever lasting five days or more in a young child, with a rash and red eyes. Treatment within ten days protects the heart.

Keloid scars

Also called Hypertrophic scars, Raised scars

Scars that grow beyond the original wound. Much more common on brown and black skin, and prevention is far easier than treatment.

Keratosis pilaris

Also called Chicken skin, KP

Rough bumps on the upper arms and thighs. Extremely common, harmless, and improved by moisturising rather than by scrubbing.

Kidney cancer

Over half are found by accident on a scan done for something else. When it does have symptoms, blood in the urine is the main one.

Kidney infection

Also called Pyelonephritis, Upper urinary tract infection

A urine infection that has reached the kidney. Loin pain, fever and rigors turn a common problem into an urgent one.

Kidney stones

Also called Renal colic, Ureteric stones

Crystals forming in the kidney. The pain is famous, and the combination with a fever is what actually kills people.

Klinefelter syndrome

Also called XXY, 47,XXY

An extra X chromosome in men, affecting around 1 in 650. Most are never diagnosed, and testosterone treatment changes a great deal.

Knocked-out and broken teeth

Also called Dental trauma, Avulsed tooth, Chipped tooth

An adult tooth knocked out can often be saved if it goes back within the hour. Never do this with a baby tooth.

Korsakoff syndrome

Also called Alcohol-related brain damage, Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome

Permanent memory damage from thiamine deficiency, usually caused by alcohol. Largely preventable, and constantly missed.

Kyphosis

Also called Hunchback, Dowager's hump, Round back

An exaggerated forward curve of the upper spine. In an older person it usually means spinal fractures nobody knew about.