Covid: Australian trial tests blood thinner as nasal spray

Australian researchers are conducting a trial to see whether squirting a blood thinner into the nose could offer protection against Covid.

All about preterm births and complications

A healthy baby and a safe delivery are concerns that weigh in the minds of all parents to be. As such, the need to raise awareness on premature births and related complications is imperative.

Prolonged comorbid conditions and kidney disease

Studies have shown that people suffering from severe COVID are showing signs of kidney damage, including people who had no underlying kidney problems prior to contracting the virus. Signs of kidney problems in patients with COVID-19 include high levels of protein in the urine and abnormal blood work.

Re-write your skin story with the latest tips & tricks

People say “Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder and its only skin deep”; in fact what is inside is what really matters and after all it depends on the person who sees it. Do you really agree with this?

Covid-19: Common cold may give some protection, study suggests

Natural defences against a common cold could offer some protection against Covid-19, too, research suggests.

When the protector becomes the enemy

Our immune system plays a vital role in protecting us against the threats coming from the outside as well as inside of the bodies.

60 people die daily due to tobacco consumption: NATA

Tobacco consumption takes a toll on one’s life, but despite many awareness campaigns and legislation, a considerable percentage of the Sri Lankan population has made it a habit. Official statistics revealed by the National Authority on Alcohol and Tobacco (NATA) indicates that 60 people die everyday due to tobacco consumption. However, apart from normal cigarettes, the use of e-cigarettes (also known as vaporizers, vapes, hookah pens and e-pipes)

Could microclots help explain the mystery of long Covid?

Patients with long Covid complain of numerous symptoms, the main ones being recurring fatigue and brain fog, muscle weakness, being out of breath and having low oxygen levels, sleep difficulties and anxiety or depression.

New blood test to detect if cancer has spread around the body

Cancer researchers have developed a new blood test that could improve diagnosis and treatment for patients.

Medics advice people to keep a tab on their physical and mental health

The curtain call for 2021 has begun, but as a New Year dawns amidst a pandemic, people are eagerly awaiting normalcy.

Are we eating too little of proteins?

“An average healthy adult need about 0.8g – 1g of protein per kg of body weight,” informed Dr Subash Mendis, Medical Officer of Nutrition at the National Hospital of Sri Lanka.

Antigen tests may have reduced sensitivity towards Omicron

Covid-19 antigen tests may be less capable of detecting the fast-spreading Omicron variant, the Food and Drug Administration cautioned on Tuesday.

Treatment and vaccine effectiveness against Omicron

As more cases of the Omicron variant are being detected in Sri Lanka, health authorities are taking maximum efforts to prevent another wave from interfering with the day-to-day lives of people.

Diagnosing Prostate Cancer

The prostate gland is a part of the male genitourinary system and its primary function is to produce the fluid required for semen production in males. The prostate gland lies beneath the urinary bladder. A tube called the urethra transports the urine from the bladder, all the way through the penis and helps excrete the urine. This tube passes through the prostate gland.

Viagra may be useful against Alzheimer’s dementia

The impotence pill Viagra may be a useful treatment against Alzheimer’s disease, say US researchers who have been studying its effects in the brain. Tests in cells suggest the drug targets some of the proteins that accumulate in this type of dementia.

Medics warn of a surge in dengue cases

Epidemiological figures reveal that so far 30,765 dengue patients have been detected in Sri Lanka for 2021. With the prevailing weather medics have experienced a spike in cases. “In November there were close to 4561 cases and so far we have identified around 3715 cases for December,” opined Dr. Shilanthi Seneviratne, Consultant Community Physician at the National Dengue Control Unit.

Treating a metabolic disorder caused by a hormonal imbalance

Irregular periods, acne, excessive hair loss, presence of excess hair on the face, chest and arms darkening of neck and armpits, weight gain- if these symptoms sound samiliar, it might be best to visit a seek medical advice as these are the symptoms presented by t

Dos, don’ts and symptoms of Atopic Eczema

The word eczema comes from the Greek word for bubbling. It is a weeping, oozing itchy eruption that has many causes, the most common being atopic eczema. Other causes include allergic contact dermatitis, irritant contact dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, stasis dermatitis, pompholyx (dyshidrotic eczema), and xerosis.

HIV Awareness Month Know your HIV status with a simple self-test

AIDS-related deaths could reach 7.7 million if world leaders fail to tackle inequalities, the UNAIDS warned earlier this month in a statement released earlier this month in view of World AIDS Day

How to protect from post COVID conditions?

Most of covid 19 virus infected people experience post-COVID symptoms that last for weeks or months after the infection.

Day of Persons with Disabilities (Dec 3) Shaping an inclusive future in a post COVID-19 era

Over one billion people across the world are crippled with a certain kind of disability that keeps them from functioning, often requiring healthcare services.

WORLD AIDS DAY 2021 HIV/AIDS is now a manageable condition

In 2019, 439 cases of HIV/AIDS were reported, while in 2020 there was a reduction of cases as only 363 cases were reported.

SLMA’s Health Journalism Awards HC journalist wins Award of Excellence in Health Journalism

Dr. Punnami Amarasinghe - one of the journalists of the Daily Mirror’s Health Capsule (HC) won an Award of Excellence in Health Journalism

Managing Osteoporosis amidst a pandemic

As the Covid-19 threat is still lurking around the corner it is paramount to be aware of the health complications that may rise in a patient during the post Covid phase.

Anxiety link to irritable bowel syndrome seen in DNA – Research

Genes may go some way towards explaining why a common but poorly understood gut disorder - irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) - is often linked to anxiety, say researchers.

Yet another side effect of COVID 19?

The attack of the COVID 19 virus, initiated more than two years ago, caused much devastation and dysfunction at an unexpected time, to the point that scientists are still uncovering and exploring the associated morbidities of COVID 19. MISC or Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children, is a relatively new condition that is associated with COVID infection, mostly found amongst pediatric population, which can be life threatening if recognized a

Let’s guard ourselves against dengue

Dengue is a serious viral disease transmitted by the bite of the mosquito Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. The mosquito gets the virus by biting the infected people. Dengue mosquitoes breed in clear water collections like pots, flower vases, yoghurt cups, coconut cells, tyres, plant saucers, jars, drums, barrels, tanks.

The notorious silent cancer

Pancreatic Cancer is notorious for its insidious onset and development. This particular cancer doesn’t cause symptoms until after it has spread to other organs. This cancer reveals itself only when it has advanced to a significant extent.

Covid-resistant people inspire new vaccine tactic

Understanding how some people naturally resist Covid infection, despite clearly being exposed to the virus, could lead to better vaccines, say researchers.

Arthritis in the elderly

Arthritis is a disease category that includes numerous different ailments, out of which osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are common.