Tinea versicolor is treatable

As a country with a high level of humidity and dusty environment, the Sri Lankan population is exposed to the high risk of contracting fungal skin infections. These can negatively affect personality and self-esteem and may lead to many physical, psychosocial and occupational problems by changing the quality of life of the affected person.

COVID vaccines and blood clots

The Joint Committee on Vaccines and Immunisation (JCVI) and Expert Haematology Panel UK have advised that anyone with a history of blood clots are at no increased risk from the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine.

Metabolic Syndrome: An Overview

Metabolic syndrome, formerly known as Syndrome X, is the combination of factors that increase the risk of an individual to go on an develop Ischaemic Heart Disease, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Stroke. Although it is not a disease in itself, the risk factors come together to form the metabolic syndrome.

Keeping track of COVID variants

One of the main concerns with regards to COVID-19 is the fact that the virus mutates, giving rise to new variants with concerning features.

Dealing with shaking hands

“Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder which results from the loss of dopamine producing neurones in a part of your brain called Substantia Nigra.

Game-changing treatment being developed to treat Sickle-cell disease

Presenting their findings to the American Chemical Society, researchers are now developing a new drug that could address the root cause of sickle cell disease.

The silent storm of heat stroke is no joke

Sun is right above the pearl of the Indian Ocean as the latest news underscores. The rays that the sun emits enlightens our lives, but how do we deal with it’s unbearable heat during certain months? Yes, its that time of the year when Sri Lankans are at a higher risk of getting affected by various health conditions following the exposure to sun.

Health equity an immediate need of the hour

Although the pandemic has posed greater challenges to everyday life, it is not the only health issue to have the gravest impact on people who are socially, economically or geographically disadvantaged. These inequities are not new. Even as the world has seen impressive improvements in average levels of health, life expectancy and premature mortality, these gains are not shared equally across different sections of society within and across nations

The surprising cause of gastritis and stomach ulcers

‘Gastritis’ means inflammation of the stomach lining. It can occur on its own or with Peptic ulcers which are wounds that can unsettle or cause pain to the stomach and can lead to internal bleeding. Peptic ulcers form when acid erodes the lining of the digestive tract.

Link between Vitamin D and COVID?

Many studies have shown an association between vitamin D and Covid outcomes, but the evidence is largely observational - meaning it looks at what happens to people with higher and lower levels of vitamin D without controlling for other factors.

Tuberculosis (TB) and COVID-19

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a global health emergency and needs our attention more than ever, given that significant resources are now being diverted to COVID-19 management. To lose sight of the unfinished business of tuberculosis control will jeopardize important milestones, gains and ambitions, and we believe that now more than ever is the time to care about TB in adults and children.

PCR testing and vaccine efficacy during second wave

COVID-19 vaccinations were a ray of hope for people who had doubts about protecting their immunity against this deadly virus. Research shows that 91% of the people who develop antibodies against the coronavirus are unlikely to be infected again for six months, even after a mild infection.

What should you do when a child gets a“Fever Fit”

Febrile seizures or as its more commonly known a “Fever Fit” is a frightening sight for a mother to witness and they sometimes might feel helpless without being able to control such a situation; I still remember the fear and helplessness I felt when I saw my younger brother had a fit when we were small.

Study finds slow walkers more likely to die

People who walk slowly may be nearly four times more likely to die from Covid-19, a new study has found.

HEADLINE- PROS AND CONS OF THE PALEO DIET

Many enjoy the thought of going back in time so how about we go back to the Paleolithic era, in terms of food and diet?

Time to dispel some myths about the disease

Every day nearly 4000 people globally lose their lives to Tuberculosis (TB). In Sri Lanka TB is the second most common infective disease and annually 8000-9000 TB patients are reported. “But the WHO estimates around 13 000- 14 000 patients should be reported annually,”

The dangerous twist which can end you up in sub-fertility

Ever thought that a simple pain in the scrotum with or without trauma, not addressed on time can result in permanent sub-fertility? Sounds scary, but that is the bitter truth behind testicular torsion-which is a serious surgical emergency, accounting for at least 0.5% of all the cases and one quarter of the scrotal complaints, presenting to the emergency department.

Why early detection of a lump is vital

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among women. It happens when the normal cells in the breast change and multiply uncontrollably. It is much more common in women, but rarely males too can develop this condition. Breast cancer sometimes runs in the family.

Keeping a tab on Visceral Fat

Visceral fat is the fat deposited within the body and not visible in the exterior, mainly found around the abdomen and in other inner organs. In discussion with the Health Capsule, Consultant Surgeon attached to the Colombo South Teaching Hospital (Kalubowila) and Professor of Surgery at the University of Sri Jayawardenepura, Prof. Thejana Wijeratne explains on how to keep a tab on visceral fat.

In the name of rights and inclusion of physically challenged people

Giving birth to a baby with special needs, can be extremely challenging, but never difficult due to the wide expansion of supportive care and easily accessible health care facilities, available as we talk now.

AstraZeneca Vax Flops Against South African Variant in Early Trial

AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine was not protective against mild-to-moderate disease from either the so-called South African variant (B.1.351) or the wild type virus, an interim analysis of phase Ib/II data found.

Living well with kidney disease

The World Kidney Day Steering Committee for 2021 calls to include “life participation” as a key focus in the care of patients with Chronic Kidney Diseases (CKD), leading to the ultimate goal of living well with kidney disease.

Avoiding asthma triggers

Asthma is a condition that can make it hard to breathe. Asthma attacks happen when the airways in the lungs become narrow and inflamed. The symptoms can be mild or severe and they can come and go. Sometimes asthma symptoms start all of a sudden.

Cancer patients ‘less protected’ after first jab

Cancer patients are much less protected against Covid-19 than other people after one dose of the Pfizer vaccine, the first real-world study in this area suggests.

Are nut butters bad for your health?

Scientists in the US have found that walnuts have 21% fewer calories, while almonds have 20% less than what the label says, and pistachios have 5% less.

A threat rising with COVID pandemic

There used to be a time that malnutrition was the bigger threat when talking about the nutritional status of Sri Lankan children.

Beware of the Red Flag Signs

Death is inevitable, but having to face it unexpectedly is not fair. That is where the need arises for you to get yourself checked crops up. Such checks help assess the status of your health, diagnose and treat underlying illnesses and optimise your quality of life.

University study finds Covid survives three days on fabric

Scientists have found viruses similar to the strain that causes Covid-19 can survive on commonly-worn fabrics for up to three days.

Nutrition therapy for cancer

Cancer is the development of abnormal cells that divide uncontrollably and have the ability to infiltrate and destroy normal body tissue. It is caused by a variety of identified and unidentified factors. The most common factor for cancer is smoking.

COVID vaccine : Spectacular impact on serious illness

The first results of the UK vaccination programme suggests it is having a “spectacular” impact on preventing serious illness.