Headaches are a common symptom of a stressful lifestyle, your body not feeling well and other issues. While headaches can be dealt with easily, migraines are not so easy to handle. Migraines are a type of headache that feels like severe throbbing and pulsing sensation, almost like you are hearing your own heartbeat in your brain, usually on one side of the brain. Many people believe that migraines are not that big of a deal because you just have to deal with the pain, but that is not all migraine is, some people find it very difficult to do their daily tasks as they experience dizzying spells, nausea and extreme sensitivity to light and sound! These attacks can last hours and make it difficult for people to go about their daily lives as well. While there are medications available for migraine patients, these medications need time to take effect, so you may be in a lot of pain, but there are not many quick reliefs you can have in place other than learning the symptoms of a migraine attack and taking medication before it happens. But a new approval by the FDA may change this!

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Symbravo, a new medicine to treat acute migraine attacks in adults. This means adults can now use Symbravo to get relief from their migraine symptoms. The FDA's decision was based on the results of three big studies, called Phase 3 trials. These trials involved over 21,000 migraine attacks, so the FDA has a lot of information about how well Symbravo works and how safe it is. The FDA only approves medicines that have been shown to be both safe and effective through a thorough testing process.

Importance of New Treatment Option

"Migraine attacks can happen suddenly and really mess up people's lives. It's estimated that over 39 million people in the U.S. alone get migraines," said Herriot Tabuteau, M.D., CEO of Axsome Therapeutics told US News. This shows how common migraines are and how important it is to have good treatments. "Symbravo gives patients and doctors a new option that can quickly stop a migraine attack, keep it away, and let people get back to their normal activities, all with just one dose." Having a medicine that can give fast and long-lasting relief from migraine pain is a big deal for millions of people. This new treatment is a real step forward in how we treat migraines.

Symbravo Trial Results, How Was It Approved

The trials took place in 3 steps, the Momentum trial study focused on people whose migraines had moderate to severe pain. The results showed that a lot more people taking Symbravo felt pain-free two hours after taking the medicine compared to those who took a placebo which is a dummy pill. Even better, many people felt relief for up to 24 and even 48 hours after just one dose. This long-lasting relief is really important for people with migraines because it means they can get back to their normal lives without worrying about the pain coming back. The study also looked at how many people were free from their worst symptom, like sensitivity to light or sound, or nausea. Symbravo worked better than the placebo in this area too.

While the intercept trial looked at people who took Symbravo when their migraine pain was still mild. Even when the pain was just starting, Symbravo was effective. The results were similar to the MOMENTUM trial, with many people getting pain relief and relief from their worst symptoms. Treating migraines early is often better because it can stop the pain from getting really bad.

And lastly the Movement trial which was to see how safe the medication is when people take it regularly. This study followed 706 people who had at least two migraines a month. The most common side effects people experienced were sleepiness and dizziness. While these side effects are important to know about, the study showed that Symbravo is generally safe for people to use on a regular basis.

In the recent past, there has been an increase in the prevalence of hypertension among the young urban population of Delhi, especially after the pandemic. Medical practitioners and public health specialists note that people in their late twenties and thirties are now experiencing higher levels of high blood pressure, which used to affect mostly middle-aged and older people. This has become a silent cardiovascular disease problem among young professionals due to the fast-paced lifestyle and post-pandemic stress.

In an interaction with Health and Me, Dr Tushar Tayal, Associate Director, Internal Medicine, CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram, spoke about the rising incidence of high BP cases in 30-something Delhi locals.

Lifestyle Changes Due to the Pandemic Situation

The coronavirus pandemic brought about significant changes in people’s lifestyles. Working from home became the norm for most companies, leading to less physical exercise, more screen time, and the blurring of lines between work and private life. Young adults living in Delhi experienced disrupted sleeping schedules, spent less time outside, and consumed processed foods delivered to them regularly. These unhealthy practices have persisted even after offices reopened.

Stress and Uncertainty Persist

Moreover, life after the pandemic has also brought emotional and financial stress for many city-based working individuals. Fears surrounding job stability, the increasing cost of living, loneliness, and burnout have had an adverse effect on individuals’ mental well-being. Stress leads to the activation of the body’s “fight or flight” response, causing increased heart rates and the tightening of blood vessels. Eventually, constant physiological stress results in long-term high blood pressure. Young adults might not be aware of how stress impacts their bodies physically until something goes wrong.

Urban Life in Delhi Puts People at Risk

Furthermore, other aspects of urban life in Delhi also increase the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. Factors such as long commutes, traffic pollution, poor air quality, lack of proper sleep, and the consumption of convenience foods have contributed to poor heart health among people. The reliance of most professionals on caffeine, processed food, and unhealthy eating habits has made people more prone to high blood pressure problems.

How Hypertension in the 30s is Hazardous

The early onset of high blood pressure predisposes an individual to various cardiovascular diseases in the future, including stroke, kidney disease, heart disease, and other metabolic problems. In most cases, high blood pressure remains unnoticed for quite a long time due to the absence of any obvious signs and symptoms. Therefore, some patients perceive headaches, fatigue, anxiety, or sleeplessness as mere side effects of stress. Nevertheless, hypertension in one’s thirties poses a threat of vascular damage in the coming decade.

Hypertension in Young Urban Adults

It seems curious that urban youth demonstrate sufficient physical activity on their Instagram accounts while being incapable of sustaining cardiovascular balance. The issue stems from the fact that regular exercise performed in the gym or during weekends cannot totally compensate for the impact of constant psychological stress, an unhealthy dietary regime, and stressful work. Specialists indicate that blood pressure is regulated not just by one’s body mass index but also by neurological factors and lifestyle stability.

Awareness Regarding Prevention from Hypertension

According to experts, individuals aged over 25 years need to monitor their blood pressure levels regularly, especially when engaged in stressful jobs. Other preventive measures, such as walking daily, reducing sodium consumption, practicing yoga and meditation, getting adequate sleep, and managing stress, will greatly contribute towards mitigating risks. Initiatives by corporate organisations, as well as government campaigns, might be instrumental in raising awareness regarding the prevention of hypertension among the youth in Delhi.

The post-pandemic period has clearly shown that stress, lack of physical activity, and the challenges of living in cities have a great bearing on cardiovascular disorders.

Singapore is seeing a significant rise in COVID-19 cases, driven by the NB.1.8.1 variant from the Omicron family, nicknamed “Nimbus”.

According to a statement from the Communicable Diseases Agency, the number of COVID cases in Singapore rose to 12,700 in the week of May 10 to May 16, compared with 8,000 in the previous week.

The country is also seeing a rise in the number of daily COVID hospitalizations — from 56 to 73 during the same period, with one case in the intensive care unit daily on average, the CDA said.

NB.1.8.1 Variant Driving COVID Surge: Should People Be Worried?

The NB.1.8.1 variant is currently the dominant strain circulating in Singapore and accounts for more than half of locally sequenced cases.

The CDA noted that people at extremes of age, such as those aged 60 years and above, including those staying in aged care facilities, and medically vulnerable people aged six months and above, are at increased risk of severe COVID infection and should stay updated with vaccinations.

Calling the increase a “periodic wave” of COVID that “is expected throughout the year”, the agency said it is monitoring the spike.

“There is no indication that the variants circulating locally are more transmissible or cause more severe disease compared with previously circulating variants,” it added.

The CDA noted that the surge in cases may be due to waning population immunity, and stated that the currently available vaccine in the country continues to be effective for protection against this variant..

Also read: Child Mortality Rates In US Saw A Massive 6.6% Rise In Just 3 Years, Study Finds

All About The NB.1.8.1 Variant

NB.1.8.1 was first detected in January 2025. It is a “recombinant” variant, meaning it formed when two or more older variants mixed their genetic material.

On May 23, 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) classified NB.1.8.1 as a “Variant Under Monitoring” (VUM). Scientists have identified changes in the virus that could affect how it spreads or infects people, although evidence is still evolving.

Previous laboratory studies also suggest the variant binds more tightly to human cells, indicating it may infect people more effectively than earlier variants.

Symptoms Linked To NB.1.8.1

People infected with NB.1.8.1 commonly report:

• Sore throat
• Cough
• Fever
• Muscle aches
• Stuffy or runny nose

Some patients also experience:

• Nausea
• Diarrhoea
• Fatigue
• Mild cough
• Nasal congestion

One unusual symptom linked to the variant is a severe “razor blade” sore throat, where people report sharp pain while swallowing food or beverages.

Read More: Europe Sees Record Surge In Gonorrhea, Syphilis Cases In Over A Decade: ECDC

How To Protect Yourself From Severe COVID-19

Vaccination remains the best protection against severe illness, especially for:

• Older adults
• Immunocompromised individuals
• People with underlying medical conditions
• Medically vulnerable individuals aged six months and above

Other Safety Measures

Authorities advised the public to continue basic preventive practices such as:

• Washing hands regularly
• Covering the nose and mouth while coughing or sneezing
• Wearing masks when symptomatic
• Avoiding unnecessary social interactions when unwell.

During the hot days of the year, amid a severe heatwave, it is only natural to feel irritable and anxious. But according to psychologists, some simple household chores will not just give you a sense of calm but will also work like meditation. Experts have found that manual chores like clearing away clutter, sweeping, and mopping prevent the mind from wandering while giving a concrete sense of accomplishment. Psychologists say that the process of cleaning is meditative and calming.

Experts and Zen monks often say that before enlightenment, one must carry water and chop wood. And even after enlightenment, the same process must be repeated. Repetitive activities like these can regulate the nervous system, as these acts are structured, predictable, and give a sense of completion at the end.

How does mopping help?

Zen monks and psychologists recommend mopping the floor, as this activity gives a sense of grounding and control. Additionally, one can immediately see the results of one's work, which is more satisfying than cognitive and emotional tasks that have slow results. "Unsui" monks spend most of their time tidying and cleaning. In A Monk's Guide to a Clean House and Mind, a monk wrote that they sweep dust to remove worldly desires and scrub dirt to free themselves from attachment. This time spent cleaning everything carefully, they say, is extremely fulfilling.

The mental health benefits of cleaning

Psychologists say that people who dread cleaning or find it daunting can engage in the activity to improve focus rather than stress about a to-do list. People who see cleaning as drudgery often feel that the shift is less about forcing oneself to enjoy it than about changing the way one engages with the activity. But the key here is not to rush through the process — experts say that it is imperative to pay attention to the rhythm of the physical movement or to things like water temperature.

When slowed down, it helps one focus on the sensory aspects, and it can start to function like a mindfulness exercise. Cleaning is an opportunity to free the mind and care for oneself and the world. For monks, cleaning is not just about fixing a room; it is a way to expand oneself and nurture one's relationship with the world. Therefore, instead of looking for a perfect result, it is important to embrace incompletion without anxiety.

When one feels overwhelmed, it is not about the task but about what the task represents. This could be self-judgement, time pressure, or anxiety, for instance. Breaking a task down into small and defined actions can reduce barriers. Therefore, instead of getting engrossed in the activity, one must try to break the task down into smaller and defined actions that reduce barriers. Start by choosing one room or surface to clean. Start with baby steps and then ease into the process. This awareness will give you a sense of peace similar to what one finds in temples.