positive signs for Alzheimer’s and Dementia patients

Sri Lanka has a rapidly ageing population and this means there’s a growing risk of developing neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s and dementia. However, neurologists are keeping their fingers crossed on new research and breakthrough medication that will help cure these health conditions and allow patients to live longer.

Meeting challenges posed by preterm babies

“Every 1 in 10th baby is born too soon. A pregnancy usually lasts for 37 weeks. Any baby born before that is born too soon. When babies are born too soon, they are born before they reach maturity, hence the term premature.

Covid vaccine ‘waning immunity’: How worried should I be?

There have been warnings from doctors and the UK’s Health Security Agency that waning immunity is leading to deaths even of people who have had two doses of a Covid vaccine.

How the pandemic is challenging diabetic patients

World Diabetes Day falls on November 14. Every year, World Diabetes Day (WDD) campaign focuses on a dedicated theme that runs for one or more years. The theme for World Diabetes Day 2021-23 is Access to Diabetes Care – If Not Now, When? As the pandemic has brought the shortcomings of the health systems worldwide to light, better plans in terms of access to proper diabetes care is the need of the hour.

Let’s focus on Covid Appropriate Behaviours

An end to the Covid-19 pandemic is envisaged by many. Given the nature of the pandemic, which has already resulted in the loss of more than five million lives globally, it is important to note that the potential to put a stop to the pandemic lies within the actions of the members of a community itself.

Protecting yourself from infections during the pandemic

Infection is a frequently used word over the past two years as it led to more health complications and an increased mortality rate than non-communicable diseases during the COVID 19 outbreak. Before 2020, non-communicable diseases were main causes for global mortality while after 2020, infectious diseases or communicable disease have taken the lead. At present, the global human population is getting vulnerable to different kinds of newly introduc

High-risk Covid gene more common in South Asians

University of Oxford scientists have uncovered a gene that doubles the risk of lung failure and death from Covid.

Maintaining healthy lungs post Covid

Healthy lungs are vital for survival and with the prevailing pandemic, ensuring the health of one’s lungs is paramount. Hence, Health Capsule consulted Dr. Neranjan Dissanayake, Consultant Chest Physician, Teaching Hospital and District Chest Clinic, Ratnapura to get a better insight into how this goal could be achieved.

Until everybody is safe, nobody is safe from Covid-19

When Covid-19 virus was first detected in China back in late 2019, Sri Lanka was one of the few countries that initiated disease prevention activities even before covid-19 was announced as a pandemic by the World Health Organization.

Let’s know the background of Hemophilia

Hemophilia is a genetic condition where the clotting mechanism is impaired due to a deficiency in clotting factors in the blood. This is an inherited condition, where the disease is transferred to the child from the parents. It is an “X-Linked” condition, and the defect is in the inherited X-chromosome.

Coeliac disease: Research identifies patients to test

Targeted testing of people with a range of symptoms could improve diagnosis of coeliac disease, a study has found.

Positive thinking boosts mental health during Covid

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to unfold in Sri Lanka having a major effect on everyone’s lives, many are facing challenges that can be stressful,

Act fast to save a life

When a patient suffers from a stroke, every passing minute counts. As brain tissue and millions of neurons begin to fade away, time could not be more precious.

COVID-19 hampered breast cancer detection

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among females in Sri Lanka. Annually around 3000 new cases are detected however the COVID-19 pandemic has drastically affected early detection.

Unbearable pain during menstruation could be a warning sign

Sri Lanka is the proud host of the 9th Asian Conference on Endometriosis, a three-day conference October 28-30 organised by the Endometriosis and Adenomyosis Association of Sri Lanka in conjunction with the Asian Society for Endometriosis and Adenomyosis.

Covid: Vaccine study links virus to rare neurological illness

Rare neurological conditions may occur after Covid vaccination, but the risk is far higher in people who catch Covid, new research suggests.

Common skin conditions in children

Skin lesions in children can be due to sweat rashes, viral, bacterial or fungal infections or even secondary to sinister causes like malignancies.

Children still at risk of developing MIS-C : Paediatrician

Even though the daily number of COVID cases has reduced, people’s behaviour will determine the next wave related to the pandemic in Sri Lanka.

Get your back on track!

World Spine Day, which is commemorated on October 16, carries a motive of creating awareness on spinal health, spinal pain and spine-related disability. It also focuses on rectifying matters related to the lack of access to quality spine care and rehabilitation in under-served communities causing chronicity and permanent deformity.

Aspirin may help treat aggressive breast cancer

Aspirin may help fight aggressive breast cancer by making hard-to-treat tumours more responsive to anti-cancer drugs, doctors say.

Planning pregnancy during Covid 19

Pregnancy is a blessed time for a woman and her family and planning for a healthy pregnancy takes so much of positive thoughts and work. This entire process, during the pandemic can be quite stressful, due to various contradictory information that’s circulating, which can create a major impact on a couple’s decision to go ahead with a pregnancy or delay it until the storm settles.

Vaccination only long-term solution to combat COVID-19 crisis

There is broad agreement within the global scientific community that the most effective way to combat the COVID‑19 pandemic is through mass vaccination of populations around the world. Since end-January this year in Sri Lanka too,

‘Love Your Eyes’ now more than ever before

World Sight Day, is an annual day of awareness, held on the second Thursday of October, to focus global attention on vision impairment, including blindness. This year, World Sight Day will take place on October 14, 2021 under the theme: Love Your Eyes.

Study reveals massages can help save a baby’s life

More evidence shows how South Asian baby massages are helping save lives, especially of preterm babies. Studies have shown that these oil massages,

Special needs children prone to mental health issues - Psychiatrist

“Children with special needs have a high risk of developing mental health issues particularly because they are isolated,” opined Consultant Psychiatrist at Karapitiya Teaching Hospital Dr. Ramani Ratnaweera.

Event to showcase thoughts on maintaining‘ good mental health’

When the pandemic raged a few months ago the entire country experienced a lockdown; hence most people were isolated from the society.

The impact of cortisol imbalance

Commonly known by the Stress hormone, Cortisol is a hormone that carries out some of the most important functions of the human body. It is a steroid hormone produced in the adrenal glands which are seated right on top of the kidneys and are considered essential in maintaining a healthy life

Research uncovers underlying mechanisms behind ‘COVID Toes’

Redness and swelling of the hands and toes, known as chilblain-like lesions, have been reported during the COVID-19 pandemic. A new study published in the British Journal of Dermatology uncovers the underlying mechanisms involved in such “COVID toes” symptoms.

Implications of Covid-19 on pregnant mothers

The daily surge in Covid-19 figures presents pregnant women and their families with additional uncertainty. However, understanding the implications and addressing their concerns especially the benefits of vaccination serves to protect pregnant women and their babies and support a healthy pregnancy.

How to restore loss of smell, taste after COVID-19

As the COVID-19 pandemic spread around the world anosmia and dysgeusia were quickly recognised as two of the key presenting symptoms.