United States: During this spring season, those affected by seasonal allergies begin their annual struggle with watery eyes, congested noses, and persistent sneezing attacks. 

The effects of global warming mean seasonal allergies will worsen substantially based on evidence presented in a new analysis. 

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Scientists expect worse allergy seasons both in duration and intensity because of ongoing climate changes. 

The analysis in The Laryngoscope (April 9 journal publication) indicates total pollen emissions will potentially surge by 40% before this century ends because pollen levels expand during climate change. 

Scientists predict that the pollen season will extend its duration by as much as 19 days. 

Healthcare costs attributable to seasonal allergies will escalate as climate change continues to develop, according to research experts. 

According to the research team led by Alisha Pershad, a third-year medical student at the George Washington University School of Medicine, “While it may not be well understood by health professionals, the financial strain of this increasingly prevalent disease cannot be understated,” US News reported. 

“The burden is approximately $3.4 billion, most of which is attributable to prescription medication costs and outpatient visits,” the team mentioned. 

How was the study conducted? 

The research involved documentation from 30 previous investigations, and 16 studies confirmed that climate change brought lengthened pollen seasons and elevated pollen counts: 

1. The response of ragweed pollen to higher temperatures and carbon dioxide greenhouse gases in urban areas includes rapid growth and earlier flowering of plants, together with increased pollen production. 

2. The numbers of pollen grains in our environment trigger a growing trend in seasonal allergy cases across populations. 

3. Increased pollen amounts generate more serious allergic reactions. 

4. Doctors have observed alterations in pollen seasonal patterns and report higher numbers of patients suffering from seasonal allergies. 

United States: The investigation revealed that persons who consume alcohol heavily face a greater probability of developing brain lesions. 

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A postmortem evaluation checked for brain injuries among individuals who died when they reached approximately 75 years of age. 

The study determined that persons who drank more than eight alcoholic beverages each week presented an extreme risk of developing brain injuries. 

People who drank heavily ended up with brain lesions when compared to non-drinkers, with increased frequency by 133%. 

The analysis demonstrated that outside of heavy drinkers, the former heavy drinkers showed an 89% increased risk, whereas moderate drinkers faced a 60% elevated risk level. 

What are the experts stating? 

According to Dr. Leana Wen, NN‘s wellness expert, previous Baltimore health commissioner, and emergency physician, “I think these are compelling results that link heavy alcohol consumption with lasting impacts on the brain,” local12.com reported. 

“It’s especially telling that former heavy drinkers have evidence of sustained damage, although halting that heavy drinking does appear to lower risk,” Wen added. 

Wen noted that the grave study findings need relative assessment despite their severity level. 

“There are caveats to this study,” as Wen noted. 

“It is important to point out that these findings are associations that are suggestive rather than proof of cause and effect,” the expert continued. 

United States: Evidence from a recent trial demonstrates that patients with low back pain achieve benefits from mental pain treatment strategies. 

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Multiple studies conducted by JAMA Network Open confirm that both mindfulness meditation and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) help decrease pain symptoms in people with chronic back pain. 

The effective treatments that patients used led to reduced opioid painkiller consumption levels based on study results. 

According to the senior researcher Eric Garland, a professor of health sciences and psychology at the University of California-San Diego, “These therapies aren’t a total cure, but they teach people how to develop the inner resources they need to cope with chronic pain and to live a better life,” US News reported. 

Current research identified this study as the biggest investigation measuring the effectiveness of mindfulness treatment and CBT against opioid-dependent chronic pain. 

The clinical study attracted 770 adults who received treatment for their lower back pain at locations in both Boston and Wisconsin.; Madison. Boston, and Salt Lake City. 

Furthermore, as per the co-lead researcher Dr. Bruce Barrett, professor of family medicine and community health at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, “The people in this study had quite severe back pain that interfered with their life and was bad enough to need opioid medication. Usually, in that condition, people don’t really get better over time on their own,” US News reported. 

A research study used random assignment to divide patients between receiving mindfulness therapy sessions and CBT group therapy sessions over eight weeks. 

The mindfulness therapy taught participants to recognize bodily sensations, which granted them better competency in managing both their pain responses and other symptoms, according to investigators. 

The CBT group members learned strategies to transform negative behavioral patterns and thinking patterns that underlie the manifestation of back pain. 

“Mindfulness is a self-regulated tool that comes from within, unlike surgery or medication where something is being done to you from the outside,” as Garland stated. 

“By learning these techniques, patients continue to experience lasting benefits,” he continued.