Medical dictionary

What is it? Keratitis is a condition in which the eye's cornea becomes inflamed, mostly due to an ongoing infection. However, surgical trauma or any foreign object entering the eyes can also cause inflammation. This condition can affect anyone, but people with weakened immune function (caused by diseases such as HIV) and people who wear contact lenses have a higher risk of developing ker

What is keratoconus? Keratoconus is an eye disorder in which the corneal tissue thins and deforms. The cornea is unable to support the internal eye pressure and it bulges out in a cone shape, hence the name, kerato, which means cornea, and conus, which means cone shaped in Latin.  It is a degenerative condition of the cornea that appears progressively in one or both eyes.   &n

What are keratoprostheses (artificial cornea)?   Keratoprostheses is a surgical treatment where an artificial cornea is inserted to replace a damaged or diseased cornea, which has led to corneal blindness. It is usually required in cases where traditional corneal transplantation has failed because the ocular environment is too hostile for a corneal graft to survive.   

What is ketamine infusion therapy?Ketamine infusion therapy is a treatment that involves the administration of low doses of ketamine through an intravenous (IV) drip. It’s primarily used to treat certain mental health conditions, particularly depression that has not responded to conventional treatments. Ketamine, originally developed as an anaesthetic, has been found to have rapid-acting antidepre

What is the ketogenic diet? The ketogenic diet is a low carb diet where the body produces small fuel modules in the liver called ketones, which are used as energy. Ketones are an alternative fuel for the body, used when the blood sugar (glucose) is in short supply. Through eating very few carbohydrates, moderate amounts of protein and high levels of natural fats, ketones are produced. They are

What is the ketogenic enteral nutrition (KEN) diet? The ketogenic enteral nutrition (or KEN) diet is an extreme weight loss method where a patient is fed a protein-based solution 24-hours a day, through a tube for ten days. KEN is a short-term treatment for obesity and assists overweight patients with a body mass index (BMI) over 25. How does KEN work? KEN works by a doctor inserting&

What is a kidney biopsy? A kidney biopsy (or renal biopsy) is a diagnostic test in which the nephrologist extracts a small piece of tissue from the patient’s kidney to examine in a laboratory for signs of disease or kidney damage.   Why is a kidney biopsy done? A kidney biopsy may be performed to diagnose or determine the severity of a suspected kidney problem, to m

What is kidney cancer? Kidney cancer, sometimes referred to as renal cancer, is a type of cancer affecting the kidneys which most commonly occurs in people over the age of 60. It is one of the commonest cancers in the UK. There are different types of kidney cancer: renal cell carcinoma transitional cell carcinoma Wilm’s tumour Kidney cancers are graded on a scale of one-fou

What is pyelonephritis? Kidney infection, or pyelonephritis is a condition that causes one or two kidneys to become infected, resulting in inflammation. The infection first affects the lower urinary tract - usually the bladder - and then the kidneys, as it moves upstream.  It can be of two types: Acute: it is sudden and severe, and caused by a bacterial urinary trac