Why wasn’t I prescribed with any antibiotic?

At least once during a lifetime, every human being goes through an episode of infection. This experience makes you meet a doctor and receive treatment, unless you yourself is a health care professional in which case you yourself can prescribe the medication. Sometimes returning home 

Do not forget, when they forget

Forgetfulness is a sign of old age. This could be associated with conditions such as dementia in the latter stages. One of the causes of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease which is described as a chronic neurodegenerative disease that usually starts mildly, but worsens with time. The World Alzheimer’s Day falls on September 21. In 2012, September was declared as the World Alzheimer’s Month in an attempt to raise awareness regarding

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in adolescence

While Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or ADHD is relatively well recognized in children, when it comes to older age groups it is in a way more difficult to recognize. Many adolescents struggle with this issue and are likely to benefit from some form of help. Not identifying their difficulties often leads to people labeling them as “lazy”. Individuals with this condition also don’t perform up to expectations.

Miscarriage: The devastating end to pregnancy

 Pregnancy is the next most awaited news after marriage. From the moment that the pregnancy test showes a positive result, newly expectant parents will plan out their entire pregnancy, leading up to the delivery and beyond. But unfortunately, things don’t always go as planned. 

Myth Buster

MYTH: Birth control pills can cause weight gain and develop cancer.    

Are you a sleep procrastinator?

Sleep experts say our devices are keeping us awake for longer, which affects our sleep and health. So why on earth do we do it?

prematurely?

The process of producing a live human being starting from a single cell is fascinating. It’s made even more amazing by the fact that each step is perfectly synchronized and happens during a specific time period

psychological disorders

Agoraphobia and Social Phobia (social anxiety disorder) are two different psychological disorders, which are closely related, but having a thin line differentiating the two. This makes it quite difficult to distinguish one from the other.We are all shy and fear

Lactose Intolerance: Is there a way out ?

Have you ever wondered why you get cramps or gassy after drinking a cup of milk or eating yoghurt? It isn’t because you are allergic to milk or dairy as a whole, but because as you grow older you become more lactose intolerant. 

Myth Buster

 MYTH: Eating fish while pregnant can make your baby intelligent. BUSTED: “There is such a belief that exists. And it has been proved that the fish can improve the brain development of the child in the womb. Eating small fish is recommended. There are some amino acids that are present which contribute to brain development.

Physiotherapy for injuries

During activities done at home, at your workplace or at the play ground, anyone may experience an injury. Some of these injuries are, bruises, straining of tissues, fractures or dislocations. When faced with an injury, treatment know

Suppression of depression

‘Health is wealth’ is a phrase in which every word is deemed true. While WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION defines health as physical, mental, social and spiritual well-being, 

pain communicates

Have you heard of the modern saying ‘Malithta gahaddi Chanchala adanawa’ (Chanchala crying when Malith is being punished)? There is a similar occurrence that we can relate to when talking about physical pain, from a medical perspective.  

Let’s jam the brakes on Suicide!

Suicide isn’t the wish to die, but a final desperate attempt to draw the attention of those around him or her. It doesn’t respect class, creed, ethnicity or religion, but would strike anywhere, where the pain of mind exceeds the individual’s ability to cope with it. As such, preventing people from making this attempt should be everyone’s responsibility.   

Myth Buster

Myth: Green tea can affect a woman’s menstrual cycle  

Do you find it difficult to fall asleep at night?

It’s essential for every living organism to have rest and proper sleep after engaging in hundreds of daily activities. A healthy sleep is defined as the duration and quality of sleep which optimizes an individual to maintain the maximum alertness while being awake. Generally, an adult needs around 8 hours of sleep, even though the individual requirement may vary based on several factors. Children and adolescents usually need more than 8 hou

Shedding light on Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

This week the Health Capsule has made arrangements to take the readers through a somewhat ‘shady’ topic related to the female reproductive tract. We call it shady because Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) may go untreated for years. This is because the symptoms are generalized and in many cases, mild. But the repercussions of PID are severe, being a leading causative factor for sub fertility as well as ectopic pregnancies.   

Why pain is an important indicator

What if I told you that pain keeps us alive? Literally? I remember, at the age of three or four years, being fascinated by the the chimney lamp that lighted our house during power cuts. The flame was yellow and moved and it was so beautiful. I always tried to touch it. After saying ‘no’ so many times, 

Ear Wax: Nature’s earplugs

We are all too familiar with the red brown wax produced in our ears. Many of us attempt to clean it off using cotton buds and other objects. But what you are really doing is pushing the wax further in. Many people are unaware of how you have to deal with ear wax which is why the Health Capsule approached Dr. Chandra Jayasuriya, Consultant ENT Surgeon, National Hospital, Colombo. Dr. Jayasuriya gave us a comprehensive explanation on wax impaction

Common chemicals in Cosmetics, soaps tied to poor semen quality

(Reuters Health) - Men who have been exposed to common chemicals known as parabens have lower testosterone levels and more sperm that are abnormally shaped and slow moving, according to a study that suggests these ingredients may contribute to infertility.   

Meth use boosts young adults’ risk for brain bleeds and stroke

(Reuters Health) - Young adults who use the stimulant methamphetamine, sometimes called `speed,’ `ice,’ or `meth,’ may have an increased risk of strokes, a recent study  suggests.   

Spinal Problems

Interbody fusion is a spinal procedure recommended for patients who suffer from degenerated discs or other conditions where the spine is moving. Patient benefits include a lower risk of affecting other parts of the body, and also a lower risk of infection due to a smaller cut 

Drugs.. a good servant, but an extremely bad master

Drugs are used to alleviate pain and suffering and to save lives of millions of people.  But this is possible if drugs are used in the proper way. From a simple drug as Paracetamol to anti cancer medication, the function of these drugs is immeasurable. But there is a darker, more obscure side to these lifesavers.   

Myth Buster

MYTH: Anyone and everyone can bleach their teeth.  

Coping with Bipolar Disorder

How can we identify or diagnose a patient suffering from Bipolar Disorder and what are the treatments available for this condition?  

Dealing with rampaging Rhinosinusitis!

 No, it doesn’t have anything to do with rhinos. But Rhinosinusitis does have something to do with you getting a stuffy nose and a dull headache. 

Cytokines- The master blaster that defends our body!

These are all signs and symptoms of a protective mechanism in the body known as inflammation. This process will respond quickly to a trauma by dilating your blood vessels and increasing the perfusion to the site of injury. This ensures quick recovery with many more cascades of event, triggered by what are called CYTOKINES.  

Don’t let the TV stress you out!

In the modern world the Television (TV) has become part and parcel of the lives of people. The TV not only conveys information, but serves as a mode of entertainment. Stress has its effects on both mind and body. 

Eating disorders linked to history of theft

(Reuters Health) - Women with anorexia nervosa or bulimia are up to four times more likely to be convicted of theft - often petty thefts like shoplifting - compared to peers without eating disorders, according to results from a large Swedish study.   

Some jobs tied to higher risk of rheumatoid arthritis

(Reuters Health) - Workers exposed to airborne toxins may have an elevated risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis, an immune system disorder that causes debilitating swelling and pain in the joints, a Swedish study suggests.