Tamil Nadu resident R. Eswari, 54, talks about the lifestyle changes she made to keep diabetes under control. 

What kind of diabetes are you suffering from?

Type 2 diabetes

When were you diagnosed?

I was then 35 years old.

Why did you get checked? 

I was constantly feeling tired and had fainting episodes. 

Is there a history of diabetes in your family?

Yes. My mother had Type 2 diabetes.

With inputs from Dr. Chandan Dubey

What is it

If you have 2 or more of the following symptoms, you should get yourself checked by a gynaecologist to confirm or rule out Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS): 

• Multiple small cysts in the ovaries

• Infrequent (more than 35 days) or absent periods due to eggs not releasing every month 

• High androgen features (facial and body hair, acne, abdominal fat, frontal balding)

PCOS and its impact 

Dr Kanika Chaudhuri, practicing consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Singapore talks of the Risks of Gestational Diabetes and how to control diabetes before, during and after pregnancy

During the fasting month of Ramadan, Muslims all over the world are fasting during daylight hours, eating two meals a day – Sehri or Suhoor (at pre-dawn) and Iftar (at sunset). 

For people with diabetes taking insulin or on some medication, the many hours without food and water puts them at risk of hypoglycaemia and dehydration. There is also the risk of hyperglycaemia from the rich food that is traditionally eaten at Iftar. Do remember that the Qur’an exempts the sick from fasting. If your doctor advises against your fasting, speak to your Imam about your situation.

Parents of diabetic kids need to communicate with the school teachers so that the teachers can take extra care

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/City/Chennai/Diabetic-kids-need-extra-care-at-school-say-doctors/articleshow/39197728.cms

Living with RA is living with pain but “Don’t let the disease define you”. RA causes pain in his hands, but he plays the piano every day to keep his fingers moving and his brain active.

http://www.everydayhealth.com/news/men-get-arthritis-too/?xid=tw_everydayhealth_sf

People who live in neighborhoods that are conducive to walking experienced a substantially lower rate of obesity, overweight and diabetes than those who lived in more auto-dependent neighborhoods, according to a pair of studies presented at the American Diabetes Association's 74th Scientific Sessions.

http://www.diabetescare.net/article/title/neighborboods-that-encourage-walking-reduce-obesity-and-diabetes