Health and Me

Riya Baibhawi

When Does The Allergy Season Start And What Should Be In Your Toolkit?

Who doesn't love the sight of green buds forming on trees? Or lavender flowers blossoming everywhere? Springtime is always welcome when it arrives…but for a growing segment of people, <span><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/allergies">allergies</a></span> are a miserable side effect. 

<span>Seasonal <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/allergies">allergies</a></span> can occur because of the types of plants that are blooming and fertilising in a given area during a particular time of year. A person experiencing allergies may find themselves with a sniffling nose and watery, itchy eyes. But when is allergy season? And how should you prepare for those seasonal allergies hit?

<h2>Which Seasons Are Most Prone To Seasonal Allergies?</h2>

Naturally, the most common timeframe for seasonal allergies is during the 'pollen' months, meaning certain plants are pollinating to allow for fertilisation. While there isn't an exact month to pinpoint when seasonal allergies are worst, the most common months are these types of allergies are the worst, the most common months people will experience these types of alllergies are between March and September. 

Which allergy you'll be hit with will depend on which pollen you are allergic to. So, that brings us to the question of the most common allergens. <span>Pollen season</span> looks different in different parts of the country. It largely depends on the plants that are native to your region. In the northern United States (US), for example, the three most common pollens are:

<ul><li>tree pollen</li><li>grass pollen</li><li>weed pollen</li></ul>Therefore,  people allergic to tree pollen will experience symptoms from March through April. Those allergic to grass pollen experience symptoms from late May through July. People allergic to ragweed pollen experience symptoms in August and September.

<h2>Keep These Items In Your Toolkit To Battle <span rel="noindex">Seasonal Health</span></h2><strong>Nasal sprays: </strong>While many allergy sufferers turn to antihistamines first, nasal sprays should be the primary daily treatment. Steroid nasal sprays reduce inflammation in the nasal passages, relieving congestion over time. However, they do not provide immediate relief and must be used consistently for several days or up to two weeks for full effectiveness.

<strong>Oral antihistamines: </strong>Antihistamines in liquid or pill form provide quick relief from seasonal allergy symptoms. For children with severe symptoms, combining antihistamines with a nasal spray can be even more effective. Non-sedating antihistamines such as cetirizine, levocetirizine, loratadine, and fexofenadine are preferred, as they start working within 30 minutes and offer relief for 24 hours. In contrast, diphenhydramine can cause drowsiness and lasts only six hours.

<strong>Eye drops: </strong>For itchy, watery eyes, allergy eye drops containing olopatadine can help prevent histamine release, the primary trigger for eye irritation. These drops are available in different concentrations, with higher doses recommended for children with severe symptoms. Natural tears and warm compresses can also provide soothing relief.

<strong>Beyond medications: </strong>If over-the-counter medications are not sufficient, allergy shots (immunotherapy) may be an option. While most health experts do not recommend allergy shots for children under five, school-age children and adolescents with persistent symptoms may benefit from desensitization therapy. Sublingual immunotherapy, approved for grass, weed, and dust mite allergies, offers another treatment alternative.

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Who doesn't love the sight of green buds forming on trees? Or lavender flowers blossoming everywhere? Springtime is always welcome when it arrives…but for a growing segment of people, allergies are a miserable side effect. Seasonal allergies can occur because of the types of plants that are blooming and fertilising in a given area during a particular time of year. A person experiencing allergies may find themselves with a sniffling nose and watery, itchy eyes. But when is allergy season? And how should you prepare for those seasonal allergies hit?Which Seasons Are Most Prone To Seasonal Allergies?Naturally, the most common timeframe for seasonal allergies is during the 'pollen' months, meaning certain plants are pollinating to allow for fertilisation. While there isn't an exact month to pinpoint when seasonal allergies are worst, the most common months are these types of allergies are the worst, the most common months people will experience these types of alllergies are between March and September. Which allergy you'll be hit with will depend on which pollen you are allergic to. So, that brings us to the question of the most common allergens. Pollen season looks different in different parts of the country. It largely depends on the plants that are native to your region. In the northern United States (US), for example, the three most common pollens are:tree pollengrass pollenweed pollenTherefore,  people allergic to tree pollen will experience symptoms from March through April. Those allergic to grass pollen experience symptoms from late May through July. People allergic to ragweed pollen experience symptoms in August and September.Keep These Items In Your Toolkit To Battle Seasonal HealthNasal sprays: While many allergy sufferers turn to antihistamines first, nasal sprays should be the primary daily treatment. Steroid nasal sprays reduce inflammation in the nasal passages, relieving congestion over time. However, they do not provide immediate relief and must be used consistently for several days or up to two weeks for full effectiveness.Oral antihistamines: Antihistamines in liquid or pill form provide quick relief from seasonal allergy symptoms. For children with severe symptoms, combining antihistamines with a nasal spray can be even more effective. Non-sedating antihistamines such as cetirizine, levocetirizine, loratadine, and fexofenadine are preferred, as they start working within 30 minutes and offer relief for 24 hours. In contrast, diphenhydramine can cause drowsiness and lasts only six hours.Eye drops: For itchy, watery eyes, allergy eye drops containing olopatadine can help prevent histamine release, the primary trigger for eye irritation. These drops are available in different concentrations, with higher doses recommended for children with severe symptoms. Natural tears and warm compresses can also provide soothing relief.Beyond medications: If over-the-counter medications are not sufficient, allergy shots (immunotherapy) may be an option. While most health experts do not recommend allergy shots for children under five, school-age children and adolescents with persistent symptoms may benefit from desensitization therapy. Sublingual immunotherapy, approved for grass, weed, and dust mite allergies, offers another treatment alternative.

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Ever wondered why we feel exhausted after work? Does your post-work schedule also encompass hours of endless scrolling? Do you also feel like lying on your couch and doing nothing? If yes, then you aren't alone. Thousands of people across the world feel the same. Many of them want to play with their pets, solve a puzzle or paint a portrait; however, as soon as they return from office, they feel a drain of energy. 

As per experts, this end-of-day <span>exhaustion</span> is a specific kind of tiredness tied to the mental and emotional strain of work, not necessarily the tasks themselves, but the constant switching between demands, decisions and yes, meetings. Health experts describe it as something called <span>cognitive fatigue</span>. 

<h2>Let's Understand What Exactly Is Cognitive Fatigue</h2>

Cognitive fatigue is the deterioration in the ability to effectively and focus effectively. It is primarily caused by prolonged mental work. Many workers might spend their days completing a lot of tasks that aren't urgent or necessary, but do create lots of vacuums of time and mental energy to respond to. Cognitive fatigue occurs when we make many more micro decisions in the day than we need to, and there are so many different touch points that grab our attention in an office. These could be noise, colleagues, phones, Slack or meetings.

Also, not moving our bodies can be more draining than moving them throughout the day, as our bodies are meant to move naturally. Therefore, people with sedentary jobs or back-to-back meetings with little time in between will be the ones most affected by this. 

According to psychologists, cognitive fatigue may have multiple symptoms. Some indicators include the following:

<ul><li>Difficulty concentrating and staying focused when performing tasks, making decisions, and following conversations</li><li>A longer time is necessary to complete mental tasks that someone typically performs quickly</li><li>Manifestation of forgetfulness and difficulty recalling information or events</li><li>Reduced ability to solve complex problems or think critically</li><li>Limited creativity</li><li>More frequent mistakes</li></ul>

Cognitive Decline

Brain Health

Exhaustion

Mental Health

cognitive Fatigue

Ever wondered why we feel exhausted after work? Does your post-work schedule also encompass hours of endless scrolling? Do you also feel like lying on your couch and doing nothing? If yes, then you aren't alone. Thousands of people across the world feel the same. Many of them want to play with their pets, solve a puzzle or paint a portrait; however, as soon as they return from office, they feel a drain of energy. As per experts, this end-of-day exhaustion is a specific kind of tiredness tied to the mental and emotional strain of work, not necessarily the tasks themselves, but the constant switching between demands, decisions and yes, meetings. Health experts describe it as something called cognitive fatigue. Let's Understand What Exactly Is Cognitive FatigueCognitive fatigue is the deterioration in the ability to effectively and focus effectively. It is primarily caused by prolonged mental work. Many workers might spend their days completing a lot of tasks that aren't urgent or necessary, but do create lots of vacuums of time and mental energy to respond to. Cognitive fatigue occurs when we make many more micro decisions in the day than we need to, and there are so many different touch points that grab our attention in an office. These could be noise, colleagues, phones, Slack or meetings.Also, not moving our bodies can be more draining than moving them throughout the day, as our bodies are meant to move naturally. Therefore, people with sedentary jobs or back-to-back meetings with little time in between will be the ones most affected by this. According to psychologists, cognitive fatigue may have multiple symptoms. Some indicators include the following:Difficulty concentrating and staying focused when performing tasks, making decisions, and following conversationsA longer time is necessary to complete mental tasks that someone typically performs quicklyManifestation of forgetfulness and difficulty recalling information or eventsReduced ability to solve complex problems or think criticallyLimited creativityMore frequent mistakes

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A new wave of tobacco products is rapidly gaining traction worldwide, but questions about their impact on health remain unanswered. <span>Heated tobacco products</span>, such as IQOS, Ploom, and glo, are being marketed as less harmful alternatives to traditional cigarettes. Unlike conventional cigarettes that burn tobacco, these devices heat it to produce a vapour rather than smoke.

Ben Taylor, an IT consultant and longtime smoker, was intrigued by IQOS, a pen-shaped electronic device developed by Philip Morris International (PMI). After struggling to switch to vaping, he found that <span>heated tobacco</span> products provided a closer experience to <span>smoking</span> without the unpleasant aftertaste of vaping. Taylor reported that his chronic cough vanished after switching, yet he remains uncertain about the potential long-term health effects.

Despite industry claims of reduced harm, health experts caution against accepting these products as safe alternatives. Epidemiologist Silvano Gallus, who has been monitoring the spread of heated tobacco in Italy, warns that they are often marketed to young adults through celebrity endorsements and influencer campaigns. PMI, Japan Tobacco International (JTI), and British American Tobacco (BAT) maintain that they target adult smokers, but concerns persist that heated tobacco products may serve as a gateway to smoking for non-smokers, particularly youth.

Research funded by tobacco companies suggests that heated tobacco emits fewer harmful compounds than cigarette smoke, yet independent studies reveal that these products still release dangerous toxins. For instance, chemical engineer Efthimios Zervas found that while some toxins were reduced, others, such as carbonyl methylglyoxal, were present in higher concentrations. Moreover, a 2024 study in Italy found that non-smokers who started using heated tobacco were 5.8 times more likely to transition to smoking cigarettes within six months.

Public health organisations, including the World Health Organisation (WHO), have expressed concerns about the potential for dual use, where smokers use both cigarettes and heated tobacco products. WHO also noted that heated tobacco products are marketed as cost-effective alternatives, potentially undermining efforts to reduce tobacco use.

As heated tobacco devices return to the US market in 2025, experts emphasise the need for robust, independent research to assess long-term health effects. Until then, they advise consumers to remain cautious and consider quitting tobacco use entirely.

Heated Tobacco Products

Heated Tobacco

Smoking

Tobacc

Vapes

A new wave of tobacco products is rapidly gaining traction worldwide, but questions about their impact on health remain unanswered. Heated tobacco products, such as IQOS, Ploom, and glo, are being marketed as less harmful alternatives to traditional cigarettes. Unlike conventional cigarettes that burn tobacco, these devices heat it to produce a vapour rather than smoke.Ben Taylor, an IT consultant and longtime smoker, was intrigued by IQOS, a pen-shaped electronic device developed by Philip Morris International (PMI). After struggling to switch to vaping, he found that heated tobacco products provided a closer experience to smoking without the unpleasant aftertaste of vaping. Taylor reported that his chronic cough vanished after switching, yet he remains uncertain about the potential long-term health effects.Despite industry claims of reduced harm, health experts caution against accepting these products as safe alternatives. Epidemiologist Silvano Gallus, who has been monitoring the spread of heated tobacco in Italy, warns that they are often marketed to young adults through celebrity endorsements and influencer campaigns. PMI, Japan Tobacco International (JTI), and British American Tobacco (BAT) maintain that they target adult smokers, but concerns persist that heated tobacco products may serve as a gateway to smoking for non-smokers, particularly youth.Research funded by tobacco companies suggests that heated tobacco emits fewer harmful compounds than cigarette smoke, yet independent studies reveal that these products still release dangerous toxins. For instance, chemical engineer Efthimios Zervas found that while some toxins were reduced, others, such as carbonyl methylglyoxal, were present in higher concentrations. Moreover, a 2024 study in Italy found that non-smokers who started using heated tobacco were 5.8 times more likely to transition to smoking cigarettes within six months.Public health organisations, including the World Health Organisation (WHO), have expressed concerns about the potential for dual use, where smokers use both cigarettes and heated tobacco products. WHO also noted that heated tobacco products are marketed as cost-effective alternatives, potentially undermining efforts to reduce tobacco use.As heated tobacco devices return to the US market in 2025, experts emphasise the need for robust, independent research to assess long-term health effects. Until then, they advise consumers to remain cautious and consider quitting tobacco use entirely.

are heated tobacco products a new health risk?

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A common nighttime habit that many men overlook could potentially be a warning sign of <span>prostate cancer</span>, a deadly disease affecting approximately 55,000 men in the UK each year, according to <span>Cancer Research</span> UK. Prostate <span>cancer</span> primarily impacts the prostate gland, a small, walnut-sized organ that sits below the bladder and surrounds the urethra. Symptoms typically only emerge once the tumour has grown enough to exert pressure on the urethra, making early detection crucial.

Dr. Jiri Kubes, a radiation oncologist at the Proton Therapy Centre, while getting up to urinate during the night, known as <span>nocturia</span>, is a common occurrence as men age, sudden changes in urinary habits should not be ignored. "If you notice changes to your toilet habits, such as a new need to empty your bladder more often, then it’s always worth getting checked out," he advises.

<h2>Nocturia Itself Isn't A Cause Of Concern</h2>

Nocturia itself is not always a cause for concern, as it can be linked to various benign conditions, including benign prostate enlargement, a non-cancerous increase in the size of the prostate gland. However, Dr. Kubes emphasises that other symptoms, such as difficulty starting to pee, a weak urine flow, straining during urination, or feeling as if the bladder has not fully emptied, could indicate a more serious issue.

"The same goes for any other changes in urinary habits that are unusual for you," he notes. "It's always a good idea to discuss these changes with your doctor so they can investigate the cause and rule out something sinister." Men over the age of 50 are at a higher risk of developing prostate cancer, particularly those with a family history of the disease or those from the Black community. Dr. Kubes urges men to be vigilant about any changes in their urinary patterns and to seek medical advice promptly.

While nocturia may simply be a part of ageing, persistent or worsening symptoms could be a signal that something more serious is at play. Early detection and intervention remain key to effective treatment and better outcomes for prostate cancer patients. 

<h2>What Is Prostate Cancer?</h2>Prostate cancer is a type of cancer that occurs when malignant cells form in the prostate gland, which is a walnut-sized gland in the male reproductive system. Prostate cancer treatment guidelines have shifted their path a bit in recent years, with many men opting for active surveillance rather than immediate treatment for slow-growing tumours. However, about 50% of men on "watchful waiting" will require further treatment within 5 years because of the tumour progression. This is what triggered many researchers to aim and identify whether dietary modifications, specifically increasing omega-3 fatty acids, could prolong this surveillance period and slow down the tumour progression.

Prostate cancer that's more advanced may cause signs and symptoms such as:

<ul><li>Trouble urinating</li><li>Decreased force in the stream of urine</li><li>Blood in the urine</li><li>Blood in the semen</li><li>Bone pain</li><li>Losing weight without trying</li><li>Erectile dysfunction</li></ul>Prostate cancer treatment and management vary based on the stage and severity of the disease. Early-stage cancer may be monitored through active surveillance, involving regular check-ups without immediate intervention. More advanced cases may require surgery to remove the prostate gland, radiation therapy to target cancer cells, or hormone therapy to reduce testosterone levels that fuel cancer growth. Chemotherapy and targeted drug therapies may also be employed in metastatic cases. Lifestyle modifications, such as a healthy diet, regular exercise, and stress management, can support overall health during treatment. Early detection and timely intervention significantly improve treatment outcomes. 

Cancer

cancer research

Prostate Cancer

Men's Health

Nocturia

A common nighttime habit that many men overlook could potentially be a warning sign of prostate cancer, a deadly disease affecting approximately 55,000 men in the UK each year, according to Cancer Research UK. Prostate cancer primarily impacts the prostate gland, a small, walnut-sized organ that sits below the bladder and surrounds the urethra. Symptoms typically only emerge once the tumour has grown enough to exert pressure on the urethra, making early detection crucial.Dr. Jiri Kubes, a radiation oncologist at the Proton Therapy Centre, while getting up to urinate during the night, known as nocturia, is a common occurrence as men age, sudden changes in urinary habits should not be ignored. "If you notice changes to your toilet habits, such as a new need to empty your bladder more often, then it’s always worth getting checked out," he advises.Nocturia Itself Isn't A Cause Of ConcernNocturia itself is not always a cause for concern, as it can be linked to various benign conditions, including benign prostate enlargement, a non-cancerous increase in the size of the prostate gland. However, Dr. Kubes emphasises that other symptoms, such as difficulty starting to pee, a weak urine flow, straining during urination, or feeling as if the bladder has not fully emptied, could indicate a more serious issue."The same goes for any other changes in urinary habits that are unusual for you," he notes. "It's always a good idea to discuss these changes with your doctor so they can investigate the cause and rule out something sinister." Men over the age of 50 are at a higher risk of developing prostate cancer, particularly those with a family history of the disease or those from the Black community. Dr. Kubes urges men to be vigilant about any changes in their urinary patterns and to seek medical advice promptly.While nocturia may simply be a part of ageing, persistent or worsening symptoms could be a signal that something more serious is at play. Early detection and intervention remain key to effective treatment and better outcomes for prostate cancer patients. What Is Prostate Cancer?Prostate cancer is a type of cancer that occurs when malignant cells form in the prostate gland, which is a walnut-sized gland in the male reproductive system. Prostate cancer treatment guidelines have shifted their path a bit in recent years, with many men opting for active surveillance rather than immediate treatment for slow-growing tumours. However, about 50% of men on "watchful waiting" will require further treatment within 5 years because of the tumour progression. This is what triggered many researchers to aim and identify whether dietary modifications, specifically increasing omega-3 fatty acids, could prolong this surveillance period and slow down the tumour progression.Prostate cancer that's more advanced may cause signs and symptoms such as:Trouble urinatingDecreased force in the stream of urineBlood in the urineBlood in the semenBone painLosing weight without tryingErectile dysfunctionProstate cancer treatment and management vary based on the stage and severity of the disease. Early-stage cancer may be monitored through active surveillance, involving regular check-ups without immediate intervention. More advanced cases may require surgery to remove the prostate gland, radiation therapy to target cancer cells, or hormone therapy to reduce testosterone levels that fuel cancer growth. Chemotherapy and targeted drug therapies may also be employed in metastatic cases. Lifestyle modifications, such as a healthy diet, regular exercise, and stress management, can support overall health during treatment. Early detection and timely intervention significantly improve treatment outcomes. 

men shouldn't ignore this common cancer symptom that keeps them awake at night

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When Does The Allergy Season Start And What Should Be In Your Toolkit?

Quick Stories

Why Are You Always Exhausted After Returning From Office?

Men Shouldn't Ignore This Common Cancer Symptom That Keeps Them Awake At Night

Are Heated Tobacco Products A New Health Risk?

Health Conditions A-Z

Why Are You Always Exhausted After Returning From Office?

Men Shouldn't Ignore This Common Cancer Symptom That Keeps Them Awake At Night

Are Heated Tobacco Products A New Health Risk?