dAfter the disaster the despair
Leading Psychiatrist Prof. Malcolm Hopwood from Australia warns of the possible rise of mental illness as people affected by the recent devastating floods and landslides try to get back to their normal lives By Kumudini Hettiarachchi and Minushi Perera The flood waters not only from the Kelani River in and around Colombo but also other [...]
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder- The illness of doubts
By Prof. Raveen Hanwella Doctor: What is it she does now? Look how she rubs her hands. Gentlewoman: It is an accustom’d action with her, to seem thus washing her hands. I have known her continue in this a quarter of an hour. Lady Macbeth: Yet here’s a spot. Out, damn’d spot! out, I say! (Macbeth [...]
Get some ‘supercardo’ in your diet
By Nirmala M. Pieris Did you know that the wonder fruit avocado is a climacteric fruit? These fruits grow to maturity on the tree but will ripen only after they have been harvested. It is as if the tree preserves them until you are ready to use them. Avocado (Persea Americana) also known as alligator [...]
Pain, pain, go away
Many patients seek relief at the vital Pain Management Unit of the National Hospital, and the unit also conducts a clinic at the Maharagama Cancer Hospital. Kumudini Hettiarachchi reports It is something we fear immensely and we see it in the eyes of H. Ruwanmali Tharangani (32) from Gampaha. Excruciating pain is what she fears [...]
Taking meds: A helping hand to the visually handicapped
By Dr. Chamari Weeraratne Taking medicines is a challenge to people who have poor eyesight or are totally blind. Most of us believe that they are a dependent group whose medicine related needs are handled by their sighted relatives. However, pioneering local research on some blind persons in Sri Lanka recently reveals a different story. [...]
How much do we really know about fatty diets and cholesterol?
By Dr. P.F. Noel Perera We are told that eating fats and oils will increase our blood cholesterol levels. Yet how this happens is not explained nor is there scientific proof. To be absorbed into the liver, fatty foods when eaten have to be broken down in the intestine to fatty acids. Complex fats if [...]