Here you’ll find 25 Diseases that start with K, organized from “Kallmann syndrome” to “Kyphosis”. These conditions range from rare genetic syndromes to common spinal or infectious disorders, and serve as a quick clinical and study reference.
Diseases that start with K are clinical conditions whose names begin with the letter K. They include notable examples like Kallmann syndrome and kyphosis, showing wide clinical diversity.
Below you’ll find the table with Disease, Symptoms, Causes/Risk factors, Treatments, and Notes.
Disease: The official or commonly used name for the condition; you use it to locate entries and cross-reference similar conditions quickly.
Symptoms: Key signs and typical complaints seen in patients; you scan this to recognize probable conditions and prioritize next steps.
Causes/Risk factors: Primary causes and major risk factors summarized for context; you use this to understand likely origins and patient vulnerability.
Treatments: Standard first-line treatments and common management approaches; you read this to learn typical therapies and when specialist referral is appropriate.
Notes: Brief clinical notes, synonyms, and key references or guidelines; you consult this for alternate names and further reading pointers.
Diseases that start with K
| Disease | ICD code(s) | Common symptoms | Primary causes / risk factors | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kawasaki disease | M30.3 | high fever, rash, red eyes, swollen hands/feet | likely immune‑mediated, often post‑infectious trigger | Acute childhood vasculitis causing fever and coronary artery risk. First‑line: IV immunoglobulin and aspirin. Refer urgently to pediatric cardiology for coronary follow‑up. |
| Kaposi sarcoma | C46 | purple skin bumps, swelling, painless lesions | HHV‑8 infection; HIV/immunosuppression risk | Vascular tumor linked to HHV‑8; can affect skin, mouth, lungs. First‑line: antiretroviral therapy (if HIV), local chemo/immunotherapy. Refer to oncology/infectious disease. |
| Klinefelter syndrome | Q98.4 | small testes, reduced fertility, low testosterone | extra X chromosome (47,XXY); genetic chromosomal risk | Common sex chromosome disorder in males causing hypogonadism and infertility. Manage with testosterone replacement and fertility counseling. Refer to endocrinology and fertility specialist. |
| Kuru | A81.8 | progressive dementia, tremor, difficulty walking | prion infection (transmissible spongiform encephalopathy) | Rare prion disease historically linked to cannibalism; progressive neurodegeneration. No curative treatment; supportive care. Refer to neurology/infectious disease specialists. |
| Krabbe disease | E75.2 | irritability, muscle stiffness, feeding problems | GALC enzyme deficiency (autosomal recessive) | Infantile leukodystrophy causing rapid neurologic decline. Hematopoietic stem cell transplant early may help; supportive care. Refer to metabolic/genetic specialist. |
| Kallmann syndrome | N/A | delayed puberty, reduced smell, low libido | congenital GnRH deficiency; genetic mutations | Genetic form of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism with anosmia. First‑line: hormone replacement (testosterone/estrogen) and fertility induction. Refer to endocrinology/genetics. |
| Korsakoff syndrome | N/A | severe memory loss, confabulation, disorientation | chronic alcohol misuse causing thiamine deficiency | Chronic amnestic syndrome often after Wernicke encephalopathy. Treatment: high‑dose thiamine, abstinence, cognitive rehabilitation. Refer to neurology/addiction services. |
| Keratoconus | H18.6 | blurred vision, glare, distorted vision | corneal thinning; genetic predisposition and eye rubbing | Progressive corneal thinning causing irregular astigmatism. Treat with rigid contacts, corneal cross‑linking, or transplant. Refer to ophthalmology. |
| Keratitis | H16 | eye pain, redness, blurred vision | infection, contact lens misuse, trauma | Corneal inflammation from bacteria, virus, or injury. First‑line: topical antibiotics or antivirals depending on cause; urgent ophthalmology referral. |
| Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (dry eye) | H04.12 | dry gritty eyes, burning, blurred vision | decreased tear production; age, autoimmune disease, medications | Chronic dry eye causing discomfort and visual disturbance. Treat with artificial tears, topical anti‑inflammatories; refer to ophthalmology if severe. |
| Keratosis pilaris | N/A | rough bumps on arms, dry skin, mild itching | keratin plugs in hair follicles; genetic, dry skin | Common benign skin condition with rough follicular papules. Manage with emollients, topical exfoliants (urea, lactic acid). Refer to dermatology for severe cases. |
| Klebsiella pneumoniae infection | J15.0 | cough with sputum, fever, chest pain | bacterial infection; hospital exposure, chronic lung disease | Bacterial pneumonia often hospital‑acquired and severe. First‑line: targeted antibiotics (culture‑guided); consider supportive care. Refer to infectious disease/pulmonology if complicated. |
| Krukenberg tumor | N/A | abdominal pain, bloating, pelvic mass | metastatic gastric or GI cancer to ovaries | Ovarian metastasis commonly from stomach; signifies advanced disease. Treatment: systemic chemotherapy and surgery when appropriate. Refer to oncology and gynecologic oncology. |
| Kikuchi disease (Kikuchi‑Fujimoto) | N/A | tender neck lymph nodes, fever, night sweats | likely autoimmune or post‑infectious inflammation | Benign self‑limited necrotizing lymphadenitis. Management: NSAIDs, short steroids for severe symptoms. Refer to hematology/rheumatology if atypical. |
| Kimura disease | N/A | painless neck masses, itching, swollen lymph nodes | chronic immune/inflammatory disorder with eosinophilia | Rare benign soft‑tissue disease causing subcutaneous nodules and elevated IgE. Treat with steroids, surgical excision for symptomatic lesions. Refer to dermatology or ENT. |
| Kwashiorkor | E40 | swelling (edema), fatty liver, hair changes | severe protein deficiency; malnutrition, food insecurity | Severe form of protein‑energy malnutrition in children. First‑line: careful nutritional rehabilitation and treat infections. Refer to pediatric nutrition/public health services. |
| Kyphosis | M40 | hunched upper back, back pain, reduced mobility | spinal degeneration, osteoporosis, congenital causes | Excessive spinal curvature causing pain and functional limits. Treatments: physiotherapy, bracing, surgery for severe cases. Refer to orthopedics or spine specialist. |
| Kennedy disease (spinobulbar muscular atrophy) | N/A | progressive limb weakness, muscle cramps, gynecomastia | X‑linked androgen receptor mutation; adult males | Slowly progressive motor neuron disease with endocrine features. Management supportive: physiotherapy, symptomatic care. Refer to neurology and endocrinology. |
| Konzo | N/A | sudden spastic leg weakness, difficulty walking | cyanide exposure from poorly processed cassava and malnutrition | Outbreak neurologic disease causing irreversible spastic paraparesis. No specific cure; prevention via food safety and rehabilitation. Refer to neurology and public health. |
| Kienböck disease | N/A | chronic wrist pain, stiffness, weak grip | avascular necrosis of the lunate bone; trauma risk | Lunate bone collapse causing progressive wrist dysfunction. Treatments: immobilization, surgery (revascularization or salvage procedures). Refer to hand surgery/orthopedics. |
| Klippel‑Feil syndrome | Q76.3 | short neck, limited neck motion, low hairline | congenital fusion of cervical vertebrae | Cervical vertebral fusion present at birth; may have other anomalies. Management symptomatic: physiotherapy, surgery for instability. Refer to orthopedics/genetics. |
| Klatskin tumor (hilar cholangiocarcinoma) | C24.0 | jaundice, pale stools, abdominal pain | bile duct cancer at liver hilum; PSC risk | Cholangiocarcinoma at hepatic hilum causing obstructive jaundice. Treatment: surgical resection or liver transplant when possible; chemo for unresectable disease. Refer to hepatobiliary oncology. |
| Keratoderma (acquired and hereditary) | N/A | thickened palms/soles, cracking, pain | genetic mutations or secondary to infections/autoimmune | Thickening of skin on palms/soles with many causes. Treat with emollients, keratolytics, treat underlying cause. Refer to dermatology. |
| Keratocystic odontogenic tumor | N/A | jaw swelling, pain, tooth displacement | odontogenic cyst/tumor of jaw; possible PTCH1 mutations | Aggressive jaw cyst formerly called OKC. First‑line: surgical removal; monitor for recurrence. Refer to oral/maxillofacial surgery. |
| Kounis syndrome | N/A | chest pain, shortness of breath, allergic symptoms | acute allergic reaction causing coronary spasm/thrombosis | Allergic acute coronary syndrome triggered by hypersensitivity. Treat allergic reaction and standard acute coronary care; consult cardiology/allergy. |
Descriptions
Kawasaki disease
Kaposi sarcoma
Klinefelter syndrome
Kuru
Krabbe disease
Kallmann syndrome
Korsakoff syndrome
Keratoconus
Keratitis
Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (dry eye)
Keratosis pilaris
Klebsiella pneumoniae infection
Krukenberg tumor
Kikuchi disease (Kikuchi‑Fujimoto)
Kimura disease
Kwashiorkor
Kyphosis
Kennedy disease (spinobulbar muscular atrophy)
Konzo
Kienböck disease
Klippel‑Feil syndrome
Klatskin tumor (hilar cholangiocarcinoma)
Keratoderma (acquired and hereditary)
Keratocystic odontogenic tumor
Kounis syndrome