Understanding female sexual disorders

With advances in technology and medical research we are in a better positon to address the female sexual orgasmic and pain disorders that are much discussed today. For this purpose we invited DR Kanishke Samaranayake who has a Fellowship in Cosmetic Gynecology by American Aesthetic Association and holds qualifications like MBBS MD (OBS&GYN) MRCOG (UK) MSLCOG FMAS, Diploma in Advanced Gynecological laparoscopy (Germany) while being a Consultant Ob

Lets keep blood pressure under control

Disease and age are co-related. Ageing not only deprives a person of youthfulness it also weakens the immunity system leaving the body vulnerable to various illnesses. High blood pressure is one such condition. World Hypertension Day (May 17) focuses on the theme ‘know your numbers’. The occasion highlights the importance of being aware of one’s blood pressure and maintaining a healthy blood pressure level. In this week’s edition of Health Capsu

Covering up for hair loss

While the main function of hair is to protect the head from serious injury, it has a great cosmetic importance. The hair is a source of pride for many individuals. In addition, much can be said about an individual’s personality from the way him or her cares for and styles their hair. Therefore, it brings much despair to a person when he notes his hair falling out. Today In health capsule, we dwell deep into the topic of hair fall on behalf of our

Dangers of using Aluminium products when cooking

The cooking pattern has changed with time. We see changes in cooking utensils and energy sources when comparisons are made with the past.

Trampling the Thalassemic oblivion

The term ‘cure’ brings solace to the mind when it is associated with medical complications. However there are diseases that are in existence with no known cure with the only option available to the patient being to continue living with the condition. Thalassemia is one such medical malady where the patient has to continue with lifelong treatment. With the aim of providing an eye-opener to the general public regarding the condition and honouring W

Dental infections in kids tied to heart disease risk in adulthood

Children who develop cavities and gum disease may be more likely to develop risk factors for heart attacks and strokes decades later than kids who have good oral health, a recent study suggests.

Saving lives is in your hands!

Hand Hygiene (HH) is a practice ingrained in us from our early days. By keeping pathogens and other microorganisms at bay, its enforcement will help lessen the weight of public health threats within the nation. However in the hustle and bustle of daily life HH is often neglected or forgotten. But little do we know that the consequences of unclean hands are a life and death matter.

Ageing gracefully is not hard

When you were born to this world, your genes had already decided on how you would start ageing, slowly deteriorate and breathe your last. Ageing is inevitable yet going through it with a positive mind-set would definitely help in ageing beautifully and gracefully with a satisfactory quality of life full of happiness and well-being.

Let’s make it easy for them to breathe

Asthma is the result of an allergy. The airways that carry air from the nostrils to the lungs are affected by the allergic condition. This results in inflammation and swelling in the inner regions of the airway tube. Consequently the cavity of the airway tubes narrows.

Immunization The path to protection from pathogens

World immunization week which falls on the last week of April every year is a reminder of the importance of vaccinations and the role it plays in the prevention of morbidity and mortality caused by infectious diseases. Dr. Deepa Gamage, Consultant Epidemiologist of the Epidemiology unit, Ministry of health, speaks about immunization, its significance, coverage and success over

In the pursuit of false happiness Painkillers, overdose and addiction

Addiction to, overdose and abuse of painkillers are not an uncommon nor unheard of phenomenon in the current society. From heart-break to social acceptance, these practices have disturbingly found their place in society, particularly within the impressionable youth. Moreover, most people justify these detrimental habits and beliefs based on medical information freely found online.

April—Cesarean Awareness Month To section or not to section?

Since the procedure was first performed to extract babies from the wombs of dead mothers’, the term ‘Cesarean Section’ has gained much recognition over the years. It’s popularity is such that a research conducted by ‘The Lancet’- a reputed medical journal- revealed that the rate of cesarean sections has almost doubled from 12% to 21% between the years of 2000 and 2015 alone. The enormous contribution of cesarean section in advanc

‘You use, you lose’ Perceiving drug addiction as beatable

Most often the society fails to see why addiction, particularly to substances, is difficult to overcome. Moreover, drug users are labelled as lacking in moral principles and willpower. Such stereotypes, instead of discouraging the habit, only discourage victims from seeking help. Within Sri Lanka, the ‘trend’ that is drugs has seeped into victimize almost all parts of society. According to the National Dangerous

Stepping out of a stroke It’s all about time

“Of all the self-fulfilling prophecies in our culture the assumption that ageing means decline and poor health is probably the deadliest” says Marilyn Ferguson. Everybody ages, but getting there in the right way at right time can be misinterpreted by most people, re-defining the process of ageing as something deadly and debilitating.

Liver consumption good or bad?

As of now we have to live in a world where all consumables, especially foods, are associated with hazardous compounds, which adversely affect our health. For example, not like during the ancient time, now we don’t have fresh and pure green harvest. There was a time when agriculture didn’t use chemical fertilizer and pesticides; made available with industrialization. Not only fruits and vegetables, animal food resources are also contaminated with

Let’s observe this ‘Double Joint’ Understanding the Hypermobility Syndrome

We may come across individuals who claim to have ‘loose’ or ‘double joints,’ but the condition they are actually referring to is hypermobility.

Defying the gravity of Gastritis

It can be stated that 60% of Sri Lankans have experienced gastritis at some point in their lives. The common age group that remains susceptible to gastritis is the active age group i.e. from the age of 18 to the age of 40. In addition, now gastritis indicates an increasing trend among young children. In this week’s edition of the Health Capsule we spoke to Dr. Ranil Jayasena, Gastrointestinal Surgeon at the National Hospital of Sri Lanka on thi

HEALTH CAPSULES

One in four deaths in the U.S. is due to heart disease. In Europe, that number almost doubles. Conventional doctors are largely unaware that heart disease can be reversed. But naturopathic doctors know that lifestyle and nutritional changes can bring about a renewal in heart health.

How right education can aid a ‘healthy pregnancy’

A healthy baby is a dream of every parent. Do you know that the foundation to give birth to a healthy baby is laid even before conception? Yes, conception can be easy, but conceiving a healthy baby is not as easy as you think because it carries several necessities, which of course can be fulfilled with right knowledge, advices and awareness. Today on Health Capsule we are going to discuss on the importance of pre-pregnancy counselling and ante-na

Dangers of red meat

According to the Department of Animal Production and Health, the livestock sector of Sri Lanka recorded a 3.9% growth during 2017. Meat is one of the main sources of protein for Sri Lankan consumers, especially for children. Meats provides Vitamin A, B, D, B-6 and also essential minerals such as sodium, potassium and fats that are beneficial for the body. There are two types of meats namely white meat and red meat. White meat is poultry and light

These children need equal opportunities

World Down Syndrome Day is celebrated annually on March 21; a day to remind society that, “no one will be left behind.” Segregating children and adults with down syndrome based on facial features alone is still the norm today. Denying them an equal opportunity to succeed and pursue their dreams is the sad reality. However with the right attitude, wholesome awareness and optimism, we can ensure that even those with such different abilities may be

Let’s cough out TB by 2030

Tuberculosis or TB, as it’s commonly known, is one of the major health problems faced by the developing world. Nearly one third of the global population, that is around two billion people, is estimated to be infected with the bacteria which cause TB, making them more susceptible to illness. Amongst these, it’s estimated that around 10 million humans develop TB illness annually. In 2015 alone, TB killed 1.8 million people, causing it to be ranked

Shocking myths behind energy drinks

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) defines energy drinks (EDs) as “a class of products in liquid form that typically contains caffeine, with or without other added ingredients such as glucuronolactone (i.e., glucose), pantheon niacin taurine, B-complex vitamins, inositol, panthenol and inositol. Cola and coffee drinks are popular as drinks which provide energy before the introduction of energy drink globally, in 1980s. The consumption of ene

Common symptoms you should not ignore

It is not uncommon for us to come across people saying ‘Oh I have this cough for some time-I think its phlegm’, ‘Oh I have a bit of bleeding when I go to the toilet-I think it’s haemorrhoids’. We are very good at assuming things where small aches and pains tend to often get neglected. Yes, true if we feel really ill we would always seek medical advice or get admitted to a hospital without delay, but these little symptoms, which often go unnoticed

Is your dairy product contaminated?

The dairy industry is one of the most prominent industries which almost never had a decrement. Sri Lankans have this beverage when they wake up in the morning. Milk is a nutrients rich healthy drink which offers a range of health benefits such as healthy bones and teeth. Milk promises all this because it has minerals namely calcium and vitamins (Vitamin D). They play an essential role in teeth and bone development and reduce heart diseases becaus

Cataract Don’t let misconception blind you!

Cataract is so often ‘blindly’ referred to as a disease, one we commonly associate with the ageing population. However owing to heightened awareness and medical facilities Cataract is now hardly an alarming or disconcerting issue. Yes, while it is the most common cause of blindness, it is also easily remediable. Moreover, if perceived as a natural part of ‘getting on in your years’, and as a challenge anyone may encounter and seek medical assist

Avoid Trans Fatty Acids and spare heartache

For the longest time, ‘Fats’ have been misconceived and given a bad reputation in terms of diet. While this may be true of some types of fats, all fats are not created equal. Some fats are better than others; some promote good health. How do we differentiate between the healthy and the unhealthy fat though? Are Cholesterol and obesity the only red flags in consuming unhealthy fats? More specifically, what are Trans-fats and why are they harmful?

‘Tackling’ overweight children!

I frequently come across children who gain weight at an alarming rate. The parental concern about childhood obesity is not the level that we expect it to be, probably due to being unaware about its consequences. Era of Kwashiorkor and Marasmus, the severe nutrition deficiencies are strangely bygone and rarely heard of. Instead we hear about obese children and childhood diabetes at an astounding rate. The problem is now universal and global statis

It can keep your sugar level under control Get the right prescription of exercises

Diabetes is a real trouble maker which can invade your life and reduce the quality of it at a rate. No wonder you are well aware of this potentially life threatening disease and complications it brings about; thanks to tons of information provided by awareness campaigns through community projects and media.

Thinking beyond the pill

Not every baby who sees the light of this world is a result of a planned pregnancy. There are thousands of unplanned babies born and left neglected due to various reasons. This was because their birth was not expected at the first place. Such babies are not ready to be accepted as they progress in life. On top of this, there are hundreds of illegal places where pregnancies are term