Health Library
Kids With ADHD May Be More Likely to Have Accident in Traffic: Study FRIDAY, Jan. 8, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- Children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may be more likely to have accidents when crossing busy intersections on their bicycles because they're impulsive and have trouble paying attention, a new study suggests. Researchers said it was known that these children were at increased risk, but the reasons were unclear. "Crossing roads on a bicycle requires decision and action. Wh...
Kids Born Through IVF Show No Higher Risk for Developmental Delays: Study MONDAY, Jan. 4, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- Preschoolers who were conceived through fertility treatments don't seem to have any special risk of developmental delays, a new study suggests. The researchers said the findings, published online Jan. 4 in the journal JAMA Pediatrics , should be reassuring to the growing number of U.S. couples seeking help with infertility. There have long been lingering concerns about the development of ch...
Keytruda May Help Fight Tough-to-Treat Lung Cancer SATURDAY, Dec. 19, 2015 (HealthDay News) -- The immune therapy drug Keytruda (pembrolizumab) may extend the lives of people with advanced lung cancer, a new study finds. Keytruda is commonly used to treat other tumor types, and made headlines recently after it helped former President Jimmy Carter fight off brain cancer. In this study, researchers compared Keytruda to the chemotherapy drug docetaxel in more than 1,000 patients with non-small cell lung ca...
Kids Find Help for Anorexia More Often Than 'Pro-Ana' Posts on YouTube WEDNESDAY, Dec. 16, 2015 (HealthDay News) -- For years, people surfing YouTube may have accidently or intentionally encountered so-called "pro-ana" videos extolling the virtues of a deadly disease: anorexia. But a new Norwegian study finds that people opposed to these pro-anorexia videos have mounted a response. Now, the vast majority of anorexia-themed videos posted to YouTube actually encourage recovery and warn viewers about the d...
Kids Who Take ADHD Meds More Likely to Be Bullied, Study Finds FRIDAY, Nov. 20, 2015 (HealthDay News) -- Teenagers who take drugs like Adderall and Ritalin to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are twice as likely to be bullied as their peers who don't have ADHD, a new study suggests. The risk of being bullied is even greater if the teens sell, trade or give away their medicines, researchers found. However, the research also raises questions about why these kids are targets of frequen...
Knee Arthritis: Steroid Shots May Not Help Long-Term, Ozone Injections Promising TUESDAY, Nov. 10, 2015 (HealthDay News) -- Millions of aging Americans are plagued by arthritic knees, and two new studies offer insight into what might -- or might not -- help curb the condition. Both studies were presented this week at the American College of Rheumatology's annual meeting in San Francisco. One study found that a popular therapy, steroid drug injections, do nothing to slow progression of osteoarthritis in ...
Kidney Disease Rates Have Stabilized in U.S., Study Finds SATURDAY, Nov. 7, 2015 (HealthDay News) -- The rate of chronic kidney disease among Americans has leveled off over the last decade after climbing for many years, a new study found. Researchers compared nationwide data for 2003-2004 and 2011-2012. Their study showed that the number of people with chronic kidney disease had stabilized or even decreased over the period. The plateau mirrors that found in U.S. cases of permanent kidney failure, also k...
Kidney Transplant 'Tourism' Comes With Risks: Study FRIDAY, Nov. 6, 2015 (HealthDay News) -- When people languish on a wait-list for a kidney transplant, they may start to consider a desperate measure: Traveling to a country where they can buy a donor kidney on the black market. But beyond the legal and ethical pitfalls, experts say, the health risks are not worth it. Most countries ban the practice, sometimes called "transplant tourism," and it has been widely condemned on ethical grounds. Now a new st...
Kids More Likely to Be Overweight If Mom Gains Too Much in Pregnancy or After MONDAY, Oct. 19, 2015 (HealthDay News) -- Women who gain too much weight during and after pregnancy could increase the risk that their child will be overweight or obese in adolescence, a new study from the Netherlands suggests. The study researchers explained that a mother's excessive weight gain during pregnancy may be tied to changes in her chemistry that make the child more likely to be overweight or obese. The mother's wei...
Kids With Mental Ills Often Treated Solely by Primary Care Doctors MONDAY, Oct. 12, 2015 (HealthDay News) -- Family doctors and pediatricians are often the sole source of a child's mental health care, particularly for kids suffering from attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). More than one-third of U.S. kids receiving care for a mental health problem are treated by their primary care physician alone, without the involvement of a psychiatrist, psychologist or social worker, according to a new s...
Keytruda Approved for Leading Form of Lung Cancer FRIDAY, Oct. 2, 2015 (HealthDay News) -- Keytruda (pembrolizumab) has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat advanced cases of the most common type of lung malignancy, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The drug is approved for people whose tumors produce a protein called PD-L1, and whose cancer has lingered despite use of other treatments, the agency said Friday in a news release. Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer ...
Kids May Be More Likely to Get Asthma if Grandma Smoked While Pregnant: Study TUESDAY, Sept. 29, 2015 (HealthDay News) -- Children whose grandmothers smoked during pregnancy are at increased risk for asthma, even if their own mothers did not smoke, a new study suggests. It's known that smoking can cause changes in gene activity. The new study findings suggest that those changes can be passed down through more than one generation, the researchers said. The study included more than 66,000 grandchildren an...
Ketone Bodies (Urine) Does this test have other names? Ketone test, urine ketones What is this test? This test is used to check the level of ketones in your urine. Normally, your body burns sugar for energy. But if you have diabetes, you may not have enough insulin for the sugar in your bloodstream to be used for fuel. When this happens, your body burns fat instead and produces substances called ketones. The ketones end up in your blood and urine. It's normal to have a small amount of ketones in your bo...
Ketone Bodies (Blood) Does this test have other names? Ketones, serum; ketones, blood What is this test? This blood test measures ketones, a byproduct of digestion, in your blood. When you have a high level of ketones in your blood, it's called diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). DKA is a complication of diabetes that can be fatal if it's not treated. When you have diabetes, your body doesn't make enough insulin, a hormone that regulates the metabolism of fat and carbohydrates. Or it can't properly use insulin...
Kyphoplasty (Balloon Vertebroplasty) Procedure overview Kyphoplasty is often discussed along with vertebroplasty, another procedure. These are used to treat fractures in the bones of the spine. These bones are vertebrae. During a vertebroplasty, the doctor injects a cementlike material into the bone to make it more stable. During a kyphoplasty, the doctor first inflates a balloonlike device in the bone to make space. The space is then filled with cement. Click image to enlarge Reasons for the procedure ...
Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder X-ray (KUB [Kidneys, Ureters, Bladder], KUB X-ray, Flat Plate of the Abdomen X-ray) Procedure overview What is a kidneys, ureter, and bladder X-ray? A kidney, ureter, and bladder (KUB) X-ray may be performed to assess the abdominal area for causes of abdominal pain, or to assess the organs and structures of the urinary and/or gastrointestinal (GI) system. A KUB X-ray may be the first diagnostic procedure used to assess the urinary system. X-rays use invisible electromagnetic ...
Kidney Ultrasound (Renal Ultrasound, Kidney Ultrasonography, Kidney Echography) What is a kidney ultrasound? A kidney ultrasound is a noninvasive (the skin is not pierced) procedure used to assess the size, shape, and location of the kidneys. Ultrasound technology allows quick visualization of the kidneys and related structures from outside the body. Ultrasound may also be used to assess blood flow to the kidneys. A kidney ultrasound uses a handheld probe called a transducer that sends out ultrasonic so...
Kidney Transplantation Procedure (Kidney Transplant, Renal Transplant) Procedure overview What is a kidney transplant? A kidney transplant is a surgical procedure performed to replace a diseased kidney with a healthy kidney from another person. The kidney may come from a deceased organ donor or from a living donor. Family members or individuals who are unrelated but make a good match may be able to donate one of their kidneys. This type of transplant is called a living transplant. Individuals who donate...
Kidney Scan (Renal Scan, Renogram, Renal Scintigraphy) Procedure overview What is a kidney scan? A kidney scan is a specialized radiology procedure used to assess the function and structure of the kidneys, as well as the perfusion (blood flow) to the kidney tissue. A kidney scan is a type of nuclear radiology procedure. This means that a tiny amount of a radioactive substance is used during the procedure to assist in the examination of the kidneys. The radioactive substance, called a radionuclide (radio...
Kidney Biopsy (Biopsy-Kidney, Renal Biopsy, Biopsy-Renal, Needle Aspiration of the Kidney, Percutaneous Kidney Biopsy) Procedure overview What is a kidney biopsy? A biopsy is a procedure performed to remove tissue or cells from the body for examination under a microscope. During a kidney biopsy, tissue samples are removed with a special needle to determine if cancer or other abnormal cells are present, or to determine how well the kidney is working. There are two types of kidney biopsies: Needle biopsy ...
Knee Ligament Repair (ACL Repair, ACL Reconstruction, PCL Repair, PCL Reconstruction, MCL Repair, MCL Reconstruction, LCL Repair, LCL Reconstruction) Procedure overview What is knee ligament repair? Ligaments are bands of tough, elastic connective tissue that surround a joint to give support and limit the joint's movement. When ligaments are damaged, the knee joint may become unstable. The ligament damage often occurs from a sports injury. A torn ligament severely limits knee movement, resulting in a pe...
Kidney Transplantation in Children What is a kidney transplant? A kidney transplant is a surgical procedure performed to implant a healthy kidney from another person. The kidney may come from a deceased organ donor or from a living donor. Family members or individuals who are unrelated but make a good match may be able to donate one of their kidneys. This type of transplant is called a living transplant. Individuals who donate a kidney can live healthy lives with the remaining kidney. A person receiving...
Kidney Disorders Many disorders of the kidney require clinical care by a physician or other health care professional. Listed in the directory below are some of the conditions, for which we have provided a brief overview. Overview of Kidney Disorders Analgesic Nephropathy End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Glomerulonephritis Glomerulosclerosis Goodpasture Syndrome Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome Immunoglobulin A (IgA) Syndrome Kidney Cancer Kidney Stones Kidney Transplantation Nephrotic Syndrome Polycystic Kidney ...
Kyphosis What is kyphosis? A normal spine, when viewed from behind appears straight. However, a spine affected by kyphosis shows evidence of a forward curvature of the back bones (vertebrae) in the upper back area, giving an abnormally rounded or "humpback" appearance. Click Image to Enlarge Kyphosis is defined as a curvature of the spine measuring 50 degrees or greater on an X-ray (a diagnostic test that uses invisible electromagnetic energy beams to produce images of internal tissues, bones, and organ...
Kids' Lunch Boxes Often Fall Short on Nutrition THURDAY, July 31, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- A home-packed lunch isn't necessarily healthier than school cafeteria fare, a new study suggests. The new research found that just 27 percent of the lunches third and fourth graders brought from home met three of five National School Lunch Program (NSLP) standards. "Our findings are similar to results of other studies of children's packed lunches from across the world, which have found that high-calorie packaged f...
Kids Will Pass on 'Healthy' Foods TUESDAY, July 29, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Want young children to embrace a more healthful diet? Don't tell them something that's healthy is good for them. Doing so will actually make them think it won't taste good, a new study suggests. "Parents and caregivers who are struggling to get children to eat healthier may be better off simply serving the food without saying anything about it, or (if credible) emphasizing how yummy the food actually is," said study authors Mic...
Keep Your Teens Safe on the Road This Summer TUESDAY, July 22, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Car crashes are the leading cause of accidental death among American teens, and parents need to take steps to keep their teens safe when they're on the road this summer, an expert says. The period between Memorial Day and Labor Day is the deadliest time of the year for teen drivers and passengers, according to the AAA auto club. "Even more than drinking and driving -- which, thanks to strong messaging, is at an all-t...
Kids From Dairy Farms Have Lower Allergy Risk, Study Finds TUESDAY, July 15, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Children raised on dairy farms are much less likely to develop allergies than other youngsters, a new study finds. Researchers tracked children who lived in rural areas of Sweden, half of them on dairy farms, from birth until 3 years of age. Children on dairy farms had one-tenth the risk of developing allergies as other rural youngsters. "Our study also demonstrated for the first time that delayed matur...
Kids Still Getting Too Much 'Screen Time': CDC WEDNESDAY, July 9, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- U.S. teenagers are still spending hours in front of the TV and computer every day -- despite years of expert advice that kids' "screen time" should be limited, a new government study finds. In two national surveys of children aged 12 to 15 years, researchers at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that nearly three-quarters spent at least two hours a day watching TV and using a computer. The s...
Kids With ADHD More Likely to Abuse Drugs: Analysis MONDAY, June 30, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Children suffering from attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are more than twice as likely to try and abuse drugs, a new analysis finds. However, that does not mean that the medications that are prescribed to treat the most common childhood disorder in the United States play a part in that increased risk. In fact, "one of the main points [of the finding] is that treating ADHD both with behavioral tec...
Kids on Tight Schedules May Lose Out, Study Says MONDAY, July 7, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Which approach to parenting is best: tiger mom or free range? A new study suggests that kids may need a little more latitude with their free time instead of having their days packed with lessons, sports and structured activities. "The more time kids had in less structured activities, the more self-directed they were and, also, the reverse was true: The more time they spent in structured activities, the less able th...
Knee Replacement Surgery Procedure (Total Knee Arthroplasty, Knee Arthroplasty, Total Knee Replacement, Knee Replacement) Procedure overview What is a knee replacement surgery? Knee replacement, also called arthroplasty, is a surgical procedure to resurface a knee damaged by arthritis. Metal and plastic parts are used to cap the ends of the bones that form the knee joint, along with the kneecap. This surgery may be considered for someone who has severe arthritis or a severe knee injury. Various types of...
Knowing When to Seek Treatment for Your Child When to seek treatment for your child or adolescent Knowing when to seek treatment for mental health disorders is important for parents and families. Many times, parents are the first to suspect that their child or teen is challenged by feelings, behaviors, and/or environmental conditions that cause them to act disruptive, rebellious, or sad. This may include, but is not limited to, problems with relationships with friends and/or family members, school, slee...
Kyphosis in Children What is kyphosis? A normal spine, when viewed from behind appears straight. However, a spine affected by kyphosis shows evidence of a forward curvature of the back bones (vertebrae) in the upper back area, giving the child an abnormally rounded or "humpback" appearance. Click Image to Enlarge Kyphosis is defined as a curvature of the spine measuring 50° or greater on an X-ray (a diagnostic test which uses invisible electromagnetic energy beams to produce images of internal tissues, ...
Keratitis What is keratitis? Keratitis is an inflammation or infection of the cornea of the eye. The cornea is the clear, dome-shaped surface that covers the front of the eye. Keratitis is a medical emergency because extensive involvement may lead to blindness. What causes keratitis? There are many different causes of keratitis. The following are some of the more common causes: Bacteria Vitamin A deficiencies Viruses Trauma (usually following insertion of an object into the eye) Fungi Parasites What are...
Kawasaki Disease What is Kawasaki disease? Kawasaki disease is a form of vasculitis, or blood vessel inflammation, that primarily affects children. The inflammation of the blood vessels causes outward symptoms, including swelling of the hands and feet, redness in the whites of the eyes, swelling and redness of the mouth and lips, and a diffuse rash on the skin. High fever and swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck also are characteristic of this illness. While most children completely recover, the main...
Kidney Stones Click Image to Enlarge What is a kidney stone? A kidney stone is a solid piece of material that forms from crystallization of excreted substances in the urine. The stone may remain in the kidney or break loose and travel down the urinary tract. A small stone may pass all of the way out of the body, but a larger stone can get stuck in a ureter, the bladder, or the urethra. This may block the flow of urine and cause great pain. A kidney stone may be as small as a grain of sand or as large as...
Keratosis Pilaris What is keratosis pilaris? Keratosis pilaris is a common skin disorder characterized by small, pointed pimples. The pimples usually appear on the upper arms, thighs, and buttocks. The condition worsens in the winter and usually clears up in the summer. Keratosis pilaris has no known cause, but tends to run in families. This disorder does not get worse over time. It is harmless, and often disappears as the person ages. Treatment for keratosis pilaris Usually no treatment is necessary fo...
Take the Kids' Healthy Snacks Quiz Is your snack bowl ready for Halloween? Before you fill it with marshmallow candy and chocolate bars, give a thought to good nutrition. It's possible to offer tasty but more nutritious treats this year. This quiz will give you the lowdown on healthier snacks for kids. 1. Gooey or sticky snacks are bad for kids' teeth. You didn't answer this question. You answered The correct answer is Snacks that are gooey or chewy stick to teeth and stay there longer than foods that c...
Kras gene A gene that may cause cancer when it is mutated (changed). The Kras gene makes the KRAS protein, which is involved in cell signaling pathways, cell growth, and apoptosis (cell death). Agents that block the activity of the mutated Kras gene or its protein may stop the growth of cancer. Also called K-ras gene.
K-ras gene A gene that may cause cancer when it is mutated (changed). The K-ras gene makes the KRAS protein, which is involved in cell signaling pathways, cell growth, and apoptosis (cell death). Agents that block the activity of the mutated K-ras gene or its protein may stop the growth of cancer. Also called Kras gene.
Kostmann neutropenia An inherited disorder in which there is a lower-than-normal number of neutrophils (a type of white blood cell that is important in fighting infections). Infants with the disorder get infections caused by bacteria, and are at an increased risk of acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) or myelodysplasia (a bone marrow disorder). Also called congenital neutropenia, genetic infantile agranulocytosis, infantile genetic agranulocytosis, Kostmann disease, and Kostmann syndrome.
Kostmann disease An inherited disorder in which there is a lower-than-normal number of neutrophils (a type of white blood cell that is important in fighting infections). Infants with the disorder get infections caused by bacteria, and are at an increased risk of acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) or myelodysplasia (a bone marrow disorder). Also called congenital neutropenia, genetic infantile agranulocytosis, infantile genetic agranulocytosis, Kostmann neutropenia, and Kostmann syndrome.
Kostmann syndrome An inherited disorder in which there is a lower-than-normal number of neutrophils (a type of white blood cell that is important in fighting infections). Infants with the disorder get infections caused by bacteria, and are at an increased risk of acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) or myelodysplasia (a bone marrow disorder). Also called congenital neutropenia, genetic infantile agranulocytosis, infantile genetic agranulocytosis, Kostmann disease, and Kostmann neutropenia.
Kaletra A combination of the drugs ritonavir and lopinavir. It is used to treat infection with HIV (the virus that causes AIDS). It is also being studied in the treatment of some types of cancer. Kaletra blocks the ability of HIV to make copies of itself and may help other anticancer drugs work better or may block the growth of cancer cells. Ritonavir blocks the breakdown of lopinavir. Kaletra is a type of anti-HIV agent and a type of protease inhibitor. Also called lopinavir/ritonavir.
kinase A type of enzyme that causes other molecules in the cell to become active. Some kinases work by adding chemicals called phosphates to other molecules, such as sugars or proteins. Kinases are a part of many cell processes. Some cancer treatments target certain kinases that are linked to cancer.
Kassebaum Kennedy Act A 1996 U.S. law that allows workers and their families to keep their health insurance when they change or lose their jobs. The law also includes standards for setting up secure electronic health records and to protect the privacy of a person’s health information and to keep it from being misused. Also called Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act and HIPAA.
killer T cell A type of immune cell that can kill certain cells, including foreign cells, cancer cells, and cells infected with a virus. Killer T cells can be separated from other blood cells, grown in the laboratory, and then given to a patient to kill cancer cells. A killer T cell is a type of white blood cell and a type of lymphocyte. Also called cytotoxic T cell and cytotoxic T lymphocyte.
kit ligand A substance that causes blood stem cells (cells from which other types of cells develop) to change into different types of blood cells and increases the number and actions of these cells in the blood. Kit ligand is a type of cytokine and a type of growth factor. Also called SCF and stem cell factor.
Kytril A drug used to treat nausea and vomiting caused by cancer treatment. It is a type of serotonin receptor antagonist and a type of antiemetic. Also called granisetron hydrochloride.
KX2-391 A substance being studied in the treatment of cancer. KX2-391 blocks an enzyme needed for growth of cells and may kill cancer cells. It is a type of Src kinase inhibitor.
Kemstro A drug that is used to treat certain types of muscle spasms and is being studied in the treatment of liver cancer. Kemstro relaxes muscles by blocking certain nerve receptors in the spinal cord. It is a type of antispasmodic. Also called baclofen and Lioresal.
Ketalar A drug used to cause a loss of feeling and awareness and to induce sleep in patients having surgery. It is also being studied in the treatment of nerve pain caused by chemotherapy. Ketalar blocks pathways to the brain that are involved in sensing pain. It is a type of general anesthetic. Also called ketamine and ketamine hydrochloride.
ketamine hydrochloride A drug used to cause a loss of feeling and awareness and to induce sleep in patients having surgery. It is also being studied in the treatment of nerve pain caused by chemotherapy. Ketamine hydrochloride blocks pathways to the brain that are involved in sensing pain. It is a type of general anesthetic. Also called Ketalar and ketamine.
kidney function test A test in which blood or urine samples are checked for the amounts of certain substances released by the kidneys. A higher- or lower-than-normal amount of a substance can be a sign that the kidneys are not working the way they should. Also called renal function test.
ketamine A drug used to cause a loss of feeling and awareness and to induce sleep in patients having surgery. It is also being studied in the treatment of nerve pain caused by chemotherapy. Ketamine blocks pathways to the brain that are involved in sensing pain. It is a type of general anesthetic. Also called Ketalar and ketamine hydrochloride.
Keppra A drug used to treat seizures (involuntary muscle movements) caused by epilepsy (a group of brain disorders). Keppra is being studied in the treatment of seizures in patients with cancer that has spread to the brain. It is a type of anticonvulsant. Also called levetiracetam.
KLH A substance taken from a marine organism that may be linked to a specific antigen to boost the immune response to that antigen. KLH is being studied as a way to increase the immune response to cancer vaccines. It is a type of immune modulator. Also called keyhole limpet hemocyanin.
Korean acupuncture A type of acupuncture based on a form of Oriental medicine in which treatment is based on a person’s constitution. According to this type of medicine, the constitution is the specific way a person’s organs affect health and how he or she looks, thinks, behaves, and responds to treatment. Also called constitutional acupuncture.
Kepivance A form of keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) that is made in the laboratory. KGF stimulates the growth of cells that line the surface of the mouth and intestinal tract. Kepivance is used to prevent and treat oral mucositis (mouth sores) caused by high-dose chemotherapy and radiation therapy in leukemia and lymphoma. It is also being studied in the prevention and treatment of oral mucositis and dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) in other types of cancer. Kepivance is a type of recombinant human ke...
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