Well-being Q&A: Diabetes and hernias

My mom is 36 years old and diabetic. She experiences giddiness whenever she feels hungry. She also feels restless. The medication she is taking has not given her a great deal of relief. Please help.
Z.B by email

She needs to check whether she's developing low blood sugar between meals. She will need to check her diabetic profile, that is test her blood sugar six times a day for at least two to three days with the current anti-diabetic drugs that she's on. The blood sugar check could be done in this pattern: morning before eating; two hours after breakfast, before lunch, two hours following lunch and so on. If her blood sugar levels are falling, the doctor will suggest changes in drug type or dosage. We would also need to explore what is causing her to feel giddy. It could be due to factors such as anxiety, low blood sugar, cervical spondylosis, ear problems, anaemia or blood pressure variations. Your mother will need to be more self-disciplined in terms of her food timings, diet and exercise. She will need to consult an Ayurvedic doctor in person.

I was diagnosed with a sliding hiatus hernia in Kenya six months ago and was prescribed medication and felt better after taking it. The doctor says acidity (gas) is the reason for the problem and ruled out surgery as I am 71 years old. Since migrating here and because the medication I had been taking was not available, I've been taking a course of medication prescribed by a doctor here. However, for the past month the pain has recurred. Is there an Ayurvedic treatment for hiatus hernia? Also, could you throw some light on this condition? I go for a brisk walk for about 40 minutes every day.
Haider Kanji by email

Our diaphragm has a small opening (hiatus) that allows the food tube (oesophagus) to pass through on its way to the stomach. A hiatus hernia occurs when part of the stomach pushes upward through this small opening in the diaphragm. In most cases, a small hiatus hernia doesn't cause problems, but a large hiatus hernia can allow food and acid to back up into the oesophagus, leading to acidity and heartburn. A hiatus hernia could be caused by an injury to the area, an inherited weakness in the surrounding muscles, being born with an unusually large hiatus or due to persistent and intense pressure on the surrounding muscles, such as when coughing or vomiting, while straining during a bowel movement or while lifting heavy objects.

The conventional medicine used is with the objective of blocking acid production and to allow time for the damaged food pipe tissue to heal itself. Ayurvedic medicine can be taken to complement modern medicine.

Lifestyle changes can help control the signs and symptoms of acid reflux caused by a hiatus hernia. Eat several smaller meals at different times of the day rather than three large meals at morning, noon and night; avoid/reduce food that triggers heartburn, such as chocolate, onions, spicy food, citrus fruit, fatty food and tomato-based foods. Eat at least three hours before bedtime; use an elevated pillow while sleeping and do not discontinue exercising.