Veterans Health – Starting With K

Updated: January 3, 2023

In this Article

Veterans Health - K Find common veterans health and medical topics starting with the letter K related to military service history. The guide covers health topics from A to Z. Read on for more information about Kaposi’s Sarcoma, Keratitis, and other medical issues that begin with “K”.

Veterans Health Topics – A to Z
A	B	C	D
E	F	G	H
I	J	K	L
M	N	O	P
Q	R	S	T
U	V	W	X
Y	Z

Note: What follows should not be taken as medical advice and is not intended as a diagnosis. This page is general information related to common veterans conditions and should not replace advice from your health care provider.

Kaposi’s Sarcoma

Kaposi’s sarcoma is caused by Human Herpes Virus 8 and is a form of cancer. Kaposi’s sarcoma tumors may appear as purple or red areas and can form on a person’s skin, mouth, lungs, liver, or gastrointestinal tract. It’s believed that the first recorded discussion of this condition was in 1872; for a time Kaposi’s sarcoma was considered harmless. But once the AIDS epidemic started, diagnoses of what Harvard Medical School’s official site describes as an “aggressive form of the disease, AIDS-related Kaposi’s sarcoma” began showing up in people with AIDS and/or severely weakened immune systems.

The Department of Veterans Affairs has screenings, treatments, and advice for those who suffer from AIDS-related medical issues including Kaposi’s sarcoma. Contact your nearest VA medical center to learn what treatment options may be available in your local area.

Keratitis

Keratitis is described as an inflammation of the cornea, and like many eye-related medical conditions, may be caused by an injury, or an infection. You may be at risk for this condition if you are a contact lens user; improper care of contact lenses and/or improper wear of the lenses may increase the risk of infection which can lead to Keratitis. The Department of Veterans Affairs advises contact lens users:

Always wash/sterilize your hands before touching your eyes and contact lenses.
Remove contact lenses and place them in the palm of your hand rather than setting them on another surface.
Use contact lens solution on the surface of the lens for 5 to 10 seconds per side.
Rinse lenses with contact lens solution to remove bacteria and deposits.
Store lenses in the proper storage case with fresh solutions.
Never use tap water to rinse your contact lens case.

Kidney Program (Renal)

The Department of Veterans Affairs offers specialty care services for those in need of Nephrology (kidney medicine). If you suffer from chronic or acute kidney problems, the VA can help, up to and including issues that require dialysis. The Department of Veterans Affairs operates dialysis facilities in the United States and offers a searchable map for a dialysis center in your state.

Veterans who are in need of kidney medicine that includes dialysis should know that the availability of specific care including dialysis may vary by location. It is a very good idea to contact the VA medical facilities nearest you to see what options may be available for treating or diagnosing kidney issues.

The VA official site reminds us, “Kidney care may be made available to enrolled Veterans who are currently receiving dialysis care by the VA or enrolled Veterans who have obtained a referral from a VA primary care provider.”

Kidney Stones

Also known as nephrolithiasis or urolithiasis, kidney stones result from chemical deposits inside the kidneys. These stones can be as small as an individual grain of sand but can grow much larger depending on the nature and severity of the condition.

Kidney stones may be present without causing discomfort, but when larger stones start to pass, there can be discomfort and pain. According to the official site of the Mayo Clinic, kidney stone sufferers may experience the following symptoms: