You don’t have to be surrounded by grass to struggle with hay fever, as city dwellers suffer from worse symptoms, a study suggests.
Scientists from the University of Manchester analyzed 35,000 reports of symptoms from 700 people over five years.
Participants recorded how often they had a runny nose, sore eyes and wheezing in an app, along with where they lived.
The researchers found that all three of these symptoms were twice as severe in urban areas as in rural areas.
Increasing pollution may be to blame, says Professor Sheena Cruickshank, co-author of the study.
You don’t have to be surrounded by grass to struggle with hay fever, as city dwellers suffer worse symptoms, study suggests (stock photo)
Cannabis use is a “time bomb” for teenagers
Rising cannabis use among British teenagers is a “ticking time bomb” for mental health services, one of Britain’s leading psychiatrists has warned.
According to the ONS, one in five 16- to 19-year-olds regularly use class B drugs.
DR Shubulade Smith, the new president of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, told the BMJ: “Once you start smoking cannabis regularly, your risk of developing a psychotic illness by the age of 25 is five times higher.
“The government should see this as a potential ticking time bomb.”
Studies have linked regular use to psychosis and schizophrenia. DR Smith has called for a public campaign to educate young people about the dangers of cannabis. She says: “We’ve done a lot of education about alcohol, so we know what it does. But that doesn’t apply to marijuana.”
One in five 16-19 year olds regularly take the Class B drug, according to ONS (stock photo)
Two thirds of people in the UK have avoided the dentist in the past year for financial reasons.
Older adults were hardest hit: 81 percent of those over 65 said they hesitated because of the high cost of dental checkups.
A survey of 2,000 Britons also shows an 83 percent increase in children’s tooth extractions over the past year, which dentists say is linked to a lack of medical check-ups.
Meanwhile, the survey carried out by medical advocates Patient Claim Line found that half of those surveyed avoid opticians and a third do not buy prescription drugs.
A spokesman for the law firm advised those with financial concerns to visit the NHS website for advice and support on covering medical costs.
The Covid-19 pandemic has delayed the development of new diabetes and cancer drugs for eight of the world’s top ten pharmaceutical companies.
The focus on testing and vaccination for the virus has caused the delay, according to a survey of 100 pharmaceutical chiefs by medical company LogiPharma.
Only one in five say they are still on track to launch every drug in the pipeline this year. Company executives say safety tests of new drugs to fight the virus have stalled.
A 2021 analysis found that Covid-19 disrupted 1,200 clinical trials of medical treatments worldwide.
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Crystal Leahy is an author and health journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a background in health and wellness, Crystal has a passion for helping people live their best lives through healthy habits and lifestyles.
