Do you feel a sense of clarity on some days? Everything you put your mind to, you ace it. But suddenly, the clarity is gone, there is a bit of brain fog. Turns out, it is because of your menstrual cycle.

Even till this date, studies around woman's biology is lacking. However, some recent studies have shown that menstrual cycle causes brain to function a certain way.

For instance, when a woman is ovulating, her sexual desires is at peak, whereas in the beginning of follicular phase a woman might experience clarity in imagination, perception, memory and social abilities. This is also the same time when spatial skills are better, and in the later follicular phase, the anxiety rises.

Studies have also found that during the luteal phase, women feel calmer.

The Hormone Game

In 2022, Pauline Maki along with colleagues from the Gerontology Research Centre studied the fluctuating oestrogen levels and its affects on woman's abilities over the course of each month.

The study involved 16 women who were assessed twice. Once just after period when the oestrogen and progesterone levels were low and once more a week after they ovulated, when the hormone levels were high.

The study found that when these hormones were at peak, the communication abilities in women increased, whereas right after period, the spatial abilities increased.

The reason is in the Hausmann study, this reveals that a woman's tendency to use both sides of the brain becomes more extreme when the hormone levels increases each month.

Studying The Brain

A study led by neuroscientists Elizabeth Rizor and Viktoriya Babenko of the University of California Santa Barbara tracked 30 women throughout their menstrual cycles.

Menstruators experience for about 450 periods during their lifetimes. The fluctuation of hormones during this time impacts behavioural, structural and functional abilities.

To understand this better, the team took MRI scans of their subjects during the three menstrual phases: menses, ovulation and mid-luteal, which occurs after ovulation and lasts till before menstruation.

The results showed that as hormones fluctuate, the gray and white matter in the scans change too. Oestrogen and the luteinizing hormones that spurs ovulation rise and shows a change in white matter in the scan, which suggests a better information transfer.

While for progesterone that rises after ovulation, the tissue increases and cerebrospinal fluid volume decreases. What this means for the brain is yet unknown, but it opens door to more studies, including how menstrual cycle can impact mental health.

Menstrual Cycle And Mood

Turns out that mood swings are not just limited to menstruation or PMS, it changes throughout the menstrual cycle. A menstrual cycle consists of four different phases follicular phase, ovulation, luteal phase, and menses.

Follicular Phase

The follicular phase starts when you begin your menstrual cycle and lasts for about 14 to 21 days, this overlaps with your menses, which is when you are on your period. This means body secretes follicle-stimulating hormone, it does not have a say in your mood, and only helps eggs to grow.

Menstruation

While menses means that uterine blood and tissues comes out through vagina. Right before your period, you may feel blues or sick, an indication that your period is approaching. While on period the feelings of anxiety remains.

Ovulation

Ovulation is when the egg is matured and is released. This is when your oestrogen levels are at peak and it improves your mood, energy and also increases sex drives.

Luteal

The luteal phase is when the follicle left behind by the departing egg secretes progesterone, this increases cravings, lowers anxiety and improves sleep. However, when the egg is left unfertilised, the progesterone levels fall and leads to PMS.

When 66-year-old dance teacher Will McKechnie walked into his routine NHS health check, he never imagined he’d walk out with a warning: he was prediabetic. With an active lifestyle that involved working out seven times a week, a trim 11st 13lb frame, and no obvious health issues, McKechnie seemed the embodiment of wellness but beneath his fit exterior was a metabolic red flag, a silent threat that could’ve easily been missed.

His case disrupts a common misconception: that type 2 diabetes is a condition exclusive to the overweight or sedentary. In fact, McKechnie’s story proves how poor eating habits regardless of fitness level can quietly erode health.

The term “prediabetes” refers to blood sugar levels that are higher than normal but not yet high enough for a diabetes diagnosis. It’s a condition that affects more than 6.3 million people in England alone, often without symptoms. During an “over-60s MOT” in May 2023, McKechnie’s blood sugar levels measured at 44 mmol/mol, placing him squarely in the prediabetic range (42–47 mmol/mol). Anything above 48 mmol/mol is considered full-blown type 2 diabetes.

“When my doctor said if it hit 48 it would likely become irreversible, I was terrified,” McKechnie admitted. “I thought being active was enough. I never saw this coming.”

For years, McKechnie believed his active lifestyle gave him immunity against dietary indulgences. Every night, he treated himself to a Yorkie chocolate bar and a packet of crisps—a habit he saw as harmless. But those calorie-dense, high-glycemic snacks quietly wreaked havoc on his metabolism.

Experts warn that regular consumption of processed carbs and sugar, especially before bed, can contribute to insulin resistance, the very mechanism behind type 2 diabetes. While physical activity does play a major role in regulating blood glucose, dietary quality and timing are equally important—something McKechnie learned the hard way.

How Lifestyle Tweaks Reversed the Risk

After the diagnosis, McKechnie overhauled his diet. He didn’t just eliminate sugary snacks—he also changed how he ate. Adopting a slower, more mindful eating practice, he allowed himself to feel full sooner and consume fewer calories.

“It now takes me 40 minutes to eat a simple chicken sandwich,” he shared. “That one change helped me eat less without feeling deprived.”

A remarkable drop in blood sugar from 44 to 41 mmol/mol in just nine months—bringing him out of the prediabetic zone. He also lost nearly two stone and trimmed two inches off his waistline.

Prediabetes often goes undiagnosed due to its subtle or nonexistent symptoms. But if left unchecked, it can lead to type 2 diabetes, a condition responsible for serious complications like heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure, blindness, and limb amputations.

In the UK alone, diabetes costs the NHS £10 billion annually, and globally, the numbers are rising with alarming speed. The World Health Organization warns that type 2 diabetes is one of the world’s fastest-growing chronic diseases, with lifestyle-related factors as the primary drivers.

Why Its Important To Rethink the Stereotypes?

Many associate prediabetes with obesity or advanced age, but McKechnie’s case proves that even slim, physically active individuals aren’t immune. While excess weight is a major risk factor, so are genetics, poor diet, stress, poor sleep, and even eating habits like snacking late at night or eating too quickly. Symptoms, when present, may include:

• Frequent urination
• Excessive thirst
• Fatigue
• Blurred vision
• Unexplained weight loss
• Slow-healing cuts
• Itchy genitals

But most people with prediabetes will have no symptoms at all, making routine screening especially critical.

Importance of Early Detection and Testing for Diabetes Diagnosis

McKechnie’s condition might have gone unnoticed had his GP not revisited old test results nearly a year later. That delay spotlights a growing issue: undetected or poorly communicated results that put patients at unnecessary risk.

He now advocates for regular blood sugar testing, even for those who appear outwardly healthy. “It’s not just worth it—it’s life-changing,” he says. “Don’t wait for symptoms. Get tested.”

Routine blood tests, especially for individuals over 40 or with a family history of diabetes, can identify prediabetes early—when it’s still reversible with lifestyle changes.

Why the Term ‘Prediabetes’ Could Create Panic?

The term prediabetes isn’t without controversy. Some experts argue that it medicalizes borderline results and creates unnecessary panic. However, advocates say the term serves as a wake-up call, offering a window of opportunity for intervention before permanent damage occurs.

In McKechnie’s case, it was just that. “Had I waited, I could’ve crossed the threshold into something far more difficult to manage.”

Will McKechnie’s story is a powerful reminder that fitness doesn’t grant immunity from metabolic disease. No matter how many workouts we log, what we put in our mouths and how and when we eat it matters deeply.

His recovery shows that it’s never too late to course-correct. With small but consistent lifestyle changes, he reversed a dangerous diagnosis, lost weight, improved his energy levels, and possibly added years to his life.

‘Little Chapters’ is Health and Me's new mental health series where we deep dive into lesser-known aspects of child psychology and how it shapes you as you grow up. Often unheard, mistaken, and misunderstood, in this series we talk about the children’s perspective and their mental health, something different than you might have read in your parenting books. After all, parenting is not just about teaching but also unlearning.

Children may not know the concepts of self-esteem and self-worth, but they understand and own the things they are told, even at a very young age. “Growing up, I was not the brightest student in class, and it was something teachers, my classmates as well as adults in my life used to constantly hold against me. I found, rather than helping me be better, my teachers focused more on painting me as the ‘worst kid in class’.” Radha opened up about her first experience with bullying, explaining how the people who should’ve made her feel stronger and worthwhile, turned into her first bullies.

“If I was going to be vilified for my lack of studying capacity, I’m no longer keeping quiet. I started talking back to my teachers and the kids who used to eco their words. I just built a guard around myself, that would only come down for a few friends. I knew I was a victim and should have been treated better. My friends agreed with me, helping me realize my own self-worth.” Coming to the understanding and re-learning to love herself wasn’t easy, but Radha was determined to find the strength in herself.

“I had grown and felt I that I had been doing much better, noticing people around me, I didn’t care if they thought of me rude or worthless, because I knew myself. But did I? It was not until I was called out one day by my closest friend, that I realized I had done the same thing I despised others for doing to me. I found that in my journey of standing up to my bullies, I had turned into one to a girl in my class, who was nothing but kind to me and others. Looking back, while I thought I was defending myself, I ended up hurting someone who could not stand up to me.”

Bullying And Formative Years of A Child

Teenage bullying can deeply affect everyone involved, not just the victims. Understanding why some teens become bullies could help us recognize signs and get them better help. Speaking to Healthandme, Manvi Khurana, Founder, CEO and Senior Counselling Psychologist at Karma Care, we delved into the deeper psychology of how bullies turn into who they are and where they are victims themselves.

Empty Space Inside: What Drives a Bully?

Bullying isn't usually random. Therapist Manvi Khurana explains it often comes from a place of personal struggle and a strong desire for control. She notes that what kids are going through in their own lives often shows up in other ways, like bullying. It's often about trying to "fill a void" or an empty space inside them.

"What are they trying to fill? What discomfort are they showing this way?" This might be a need to feel powerful by putting someone down, or to look tough, especially in a group. Things that can create this "void" include:

• Abuse or trauma at home
• Family problems
• Trouble in school with grades or learning
• General stress

Even without deep trauma, Khurana says some kids become bullies because they feel too entitled or haven't been taught "no" at home. Their upbringing can shape their behavior, even if it's not from a traumatic past.

Basically, bullies often target those who don't fit in or aren't considered "normal." This is why education is so important—it helps people understand and accept differences, making them more common and less likely to be targeted.

From Victim to Bully

A tough part of bullying is when someone who was once a victim later becomes a bully themselves. This makes us wonder if there are similarities between how a victim thinks and how a bully thinks.

Khurana clarifies that a "victim mentality" often means someone always feels like they're suffering, even when they're not at the center of a problem. But with kids, there's good news: "Children's behavior is much more capable of change than adults," she says. Their minds are still flexible, so a bully doesn't have to be a bully forever. With education and support, they can change.

However, Khurana warns that not every victim becomes a bully. "Everyone responds differently." Some victims might keep their pain inside, perhaps leading to self-harm or eating disorders (which are often about control). Others might show their pain through aggression. How a person copes depends on many things, including their culture.

What Bullying Leaves Behind

A key part of understanding bullying that's often missed is its long-term impact on the victim. Khurana emphasizes that the humiliation and pain from bullying can stay with people for years, leading to:

• Specific fears or feeling paranoid
• Damaged self-worth and self-esteem
• A lack of confidence

Is Bullying a Way to Cope?

Can bullying be a way for someone to deal with their own problems? Khurana confirms that for some, it absolutely can be a coping mechanism. She explains it might be about survival, showing dominance, creating a pecking order, or establishing a position of power. In short, it's a way for some to handle difficult feelings or situations by trying to control others.

Bullying is not a straightforward phase, learning about the ups and downs of it could help us understand why some people venture down this path. It shows how personal struggles, how society works, and the chance for growth all play a part for both victims and bullies. It truly highlights the need for empathy, getting help early, and creating school environments where all children can thrive.

Two of the most well-known aspects of cognitive decline happen to be dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Dementia is an umbrella term used to define cognitive degenerative diseases that affect memory, language, and thinking skills of a person. Alzheimer’s is one such disease that most of us are aware of, but there are other diseases that also come under dementia.

Dr. Kellyn Lee, CEO of The Dementia Care Hub, recently shed light in a TikTok video on Lewy Body dementia (LBD), a lesser-known but significant form of dementia. This comes as dementia continues to affect over 944,000 individuals in the UK.

Understanding Lewy Body Dementia

According to Alzheimer's Research UK, LBD accounts for roughly 10 to 15 out of every 100 dementia cases, making it the third most common type after Alzheimer's and vascular dementia. Dr. Lee, responding to public interest, explained in a recent TikTok video that LBD is caused by abnormal proteins that attach themselves to parts of the brain.

This protein accumulation can lead to various cognitive and physical challenges. Patients often experience memory difficulties and struggles with everyday tasks. LBD can also impact behavior, mood, and alertness, sometimes presenting as a "vagueness."

Primary Symptoms of Lewy Body Dementia

Unlike some other types of dementia, significant memory loss in LBD can develop more gradually. Instead, issues with visual perception and alertness may be more prominent earlier in the disease progression.

Currently, there's no cure for LBD or other forms of dementia. However, various treatments, including medications, cognitive stimulation therapies, and rehabilitation, are available to help manage symptoms. LBD symptoms can vary, Dr. Lee highlighted several common indicators:

Changes in alertness

Someone with Lewy Body dementia might seem to drift in and out of being fully awake and aware. One moment they could be quite clear and responsive, and the next they might appear confused, drowsy, or even stare blankly. These changes can happen quickly, sometimes within minutes or hours, and can be very unpredictable.

Trouble communicating

People might find it hard to express what they want to say or to understand what others are saying to them. This can make conversations difficult and frustrating for both the person with dementia and their loved ones.

Seeing things that aren't there: This is known as visual hallucinations. For example, a person might see animals, people, or objects that aren't actually present. These hallucinations can sometimes be pleasant, but they can also be upsetting or frightening.

Movement problems like Parkinson's Disease

This symptom is called spontaneous Parkinsonism. It means a person might develop issues with movement, similar to what you'd see in Parkinson's disease. This can include:

Slow movements: They might move very slowly, taking small, shuffling steps, which can affect their ability to walk safely.

Stiffness: Their body might become stiff and rigid, making it hard to move their arms and legs freely.

Tremors: They might experience uncontrollable shaking, especially in their hands or limbs. These movement issues can make everyday tasks, like doing hobbies or simply getting around, much harder and increase the risk of falls.

Potential Signs of Lewy Body Dementia

• Depression and anxiety
• Slow movement, stiff limbs, tremors, and shuffling while walking
• Marked swings between alertness, confusion, or sleepiness
• Disturbed sleep, such as talking in sleep or acting out dreams
• Difficulties understanding problems
• Memory issues (though significant memory loss may appear later)
• Challenges with visual perception
• Language difficulties
• Hallucinations (visual or auditory)
• Fainting, unsteadiness, and falls
• Problems with thinking speed and judgment
• Dysphagia (swallowing problems)