Seasonal allergies are more than just a nuisance—they can lead to persistent sneezing, itchy eyes, a runny nose, and a cough that lingers for weeks or months. In New York City, spring marks the beginning of tree pollen season, which is followed by grass pollen in the summer and weed pollen in late summer and fall. Crosswinds carrying pollen from other areas, along with rising temperatures, have made allergy symptoms more erratic and harder to predict.

When pollen is inhaled, the immune system releases histamine and other inflammatory mediators, triggering classic allergy symptoms. Unlike the common cold, which usually resolves within a couple of weeks, allergies can persist much longer. Symptoms often begin with a runny nose and may progress to nasal congestion, sinus infections, fatigue, and headaches. Fortunately, managing seasonal allergies doesn’t mean living in a bubble.

As someone who experiences seasonal allergies personally, my best advice is to begin treatment early and maintain it consistently throughout the allergy season. Here’s a breakdown of what’s in my seasonal allergy tool kit:

Over-The-Counter Medications

Most first-line treatments are easily available at local pharmacies and don’t require a prescription.

Nasal Sprays

Although many people turn to antihistamines first, steroid nasal sprays should be part of your daily routine. These sprays help reduce inflammation in the nasal passages, easing congestion over time. They require consistent use for several days — sometimes up to two weeks — before providing full relief.

Look for sprays that contain ingredients like fluticasone or triamcinolone. For optimal absorption, direct the spray toward your ear, not straight up the nose. Nasal rinses can also assist in flushing out allergens and irritants encountered during the day.

Oral Antihistamines

Antihistamines in pill or liquid form offer quick relief. For children with more severe symptoms, combining these with nasal sprays may improve effectiveness.

Non-sedating options such as cetirizine, levocetirizine, loratadine, and fexofenadine are often preferred, as they act within 30 minutes and last up to 24 hours — unlike diphenhydramine, which may cause drowsiness and wears off after six hours.

Ideally, begin taking antihistamines and nasal sprays about two weeks before the allergy season starts — around mid-February in NYC. However, it’s not too late to start now.

Eye Drops

For those with itchy or watery eyes, allergy eye drops such as olopatadine can help prevent histamine release, easing irritation. Stronger concentrations may offer all-day relief for children with intense symptoms. Additionally, natural tears and warm compresses can soothe discomfort.

Beyond Medication: Allergy Shots and Lifestyle Changes

When over-the-counter remedies aren’t enough, immunotherapy like allergy shots may offer relief. These are typically not recommended for children under 5, but older children and adolescents with persistent allergies may benefit from long-term desensitization.

Sublingual immunotherapy tablets, approved by the FDA for grass, weed, and dust mite allergies, are another option.

Making Smart Lifestyle Choices

Because pollen can travel far, tracking local pollen counts is key. Tools like the Allergy Plus app can help you monitor both pollen levels and air quality.

Limit outdoor activities on high-pollen days and consider alternatives like indoor entertainment. If going outside, take medications in advance and carry asthma inhalers if necessary. Keep windows closed and shower immediately after returning indoors. Wearing an N95 or surgical mask, along with sunglasses and a hat, can further reduce exposure.

Running an air purifier indoors is another preventive measure. For those with dust mite allergies, multiple devices may be needed. The Environmental Protection Agency also offers guidance for building a DIY air cleaner.

When To Seek Professional Help

If symptoms persist despite treatment, it’s time to consult an allergist. Children should not miss school, and adults shouldn’t have to skip work because of allergies. Complications like chronic sinus or ear infections, asthma flare-ups, or eczema may also require specialized care.

Allergy testing can pinpoint the cause of your symptoms — what seems like a seasonal pollen allergy could actually be triggered by pet dander or dust mites, which require different treatments.

At the Pediatric Allergy Program at Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital at NYU Langone, families have access to a comprehensive care team, including allergists, nurses, a child life specialist, and a psychologist from the Sala Institute for Child & Family Centered Care.

While some individuals outgrow their seasonal allergies, the timeline is uncertain. Taking early, proactive steps can significantly improve quality of life. With the right combination of medication, lifestyle adjustments, and expert support, seasonal allergies can be effectively managed.

When was the last time you measured your waistline? If you assume that BMI is the only number to focus on when it comes to your health, think twice. New research has revealed a shocking revelation—your waist circumference might be a far better predictor of men's cancer risk than BMI.

The study finds that for each 4-inch increase in waist size, a man's risk of cancer increases by a staggering 25%. Meanwhile, BMI, commonly regarded as the gold standard for assessing obesity, raises cancer risk by only 19% for the same weight gain. So, if you've been dismissing that pesky belly fat, it's time to take notice.

But why is your waistline so important? The reason is visceral fat—the hidden, deep fat that accumulates around your organs. Unlike other body fat, visceral fat is a stealthy troublemaker, causing inflammation, insulin resistance, and abnormal blood fat levels—all of which combine to create a cancer-perfect storm.

Obesity has been associated with an increased risk of numerous health conditions, including cancer, for decades. The research, though, indicates that a specific measure of the body—waist circumference—may be an even more reliable forecaster of cancer risk in men than the more frequently employed Body Mass Index (BMI). This finding emphasizes the need to pay particular attention to the distribution of fat and not merely to the weight of the body.

BMI has been the go-to measure for years for gauging health risks related to obesity. New research, though, that appears in The Journal of the National Cancer Institute indicates that waist measurement is a better predictor of cancer risk in men. According to the research, four more inches (10 cm) around the waist will add 25% to a man's cancer risk. Conversely, a 3.7 kg/m² rise in BMI (from a BMI of 24 to 27.7) increased cancer risk by only 19%.

Why is waist circumference a better predictor, then? Unlike BMI, which measures weight relative to height, waist circumference actually measures abdominal fat—specifically, visceral fat. This type of fat encircles internal organs and is also linked to higher levels of inflammation, insulin resistance, and abnormal blood lipids, all of which are factors in cancer growth. BMI, however, does not measure fat distribution, so two individuals with the same BMI can have very different levels of health risk depending on where fat is deposited on their bodies.

Why Men Are at Higher Risk?

Interestingly, the research identified a significant difference between men and women when it came to waist circumference and cancer risk. Although waist circumference and BMI were linked with obesity-related cancers in women, the relationship was weaker than for men. An increase of 12 cm (4.7 inches) in waist size or a 4.3 rise in BMI (from 24 to 28.3) raised the cancer risk in women by just 13%—a much lower percentage than for men.

Experts credit this difference to the way that fat is stored in the body. Men are more likely to carry fat around the abdomen, especially as visceral fat, which is more metabolically active and associated with cancer-producing biological alterations. Women, by contrast, store fat in peripheral sites such as the hips and thighs, where it is less likely to drive systemic inflammation and metabolic disturbances.

A possible reason is that men tend to depot fat more in the visceral regions, whereas women tend to carry more subcutaneous and peripheral fat," wrote the researchers. "This may render waist circumference a more robust risk factor for cancer in men and account for why waist circumference provides additional risk information beyond BMI in men but not women."

Cancer Types Most Linked to Abdominal Fat

The research used the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) data to define obesity-related cancers. These cancers are esophageal (adenocarcinoma), gastric (cardia), colorectal, rectal, liver, gallbladder, pancreatic, renal, and thyroid cancers, and multiple myeloma and meningioma. In men, abdominal obesity is especially significant in raising the risk of these cancers through high levels of insulin and markers of inflammation.

For women, the research proposes that both waist circumference and hip circumference may give a more accurate estimate of visceral fat and cancer risk. "Adding hip circumference to risk models could strengthen the link between waist circumference and cancer, especially in women," researchers observed.

What This Means for Men's Health and Cancer Prevention?

With these results, doctors advise men to be more mindful of their waistline than only their BMI. Waist size is an easy method to gauge health risk, and its maintenance through lifestyle changes might be the key to cancer prevention.

How To Reduce Cancer Risk In Men?

Track Your Waist Size: Regularly measure your waist circumference and try to keep it in a healthy range (below 40 inches for men, according to medical advice).

Eat a Balanced Diet: A diet containing high fiber, lean protein, and healthy fats can assist in limiting visceral fat gain.

Exercise Consistently: Regular exercise with a combination of aerobic and strength training will help maintain a healthy waistline.

Control Stress and Sleep: Persistent stress and inadequate sleep tend to cause weight gain, especially in the midsection of the body.

Regular Health Screenings: Early identification of cancer risk factors through regular screening can greatly enhance long-term health status.

Water plays an essential role in our day-to-day life. Even if you feel like you do not need it, one should drink 8-10 cups of water throughout the day. It aids us in things like digestion, avoiding fatigue and other issues. However, are there times when you should avoid drinking water? Many people avoid drinking too much water before bed so that they do not wake up at night, while others do the same before travelling. Though there are different opinions on whether you should drink water or not after a meal.

Why You Should Not Drink Too Much Water After Eating?

People claim that drinking large amounts of water immediately after eating can dilute these vital digestive juices, which in turn hinders the proper digestion of foods. There is also a belief that drinking too much water right after eating can weaken your stomach's digestive juices, making it harder to absorb nutrients, which can cause discomfort and health problems. Since digestion is how we get the nutrients our bodies need, it's important to understand how water affects it and why timing your drinks around meals matters.

According to the Clinical Nuclear Medicine, drinking too much water right after eating can interfere with digestion. It dilutes the stomach's digestive juices and affects how bile is released, potentially slowing down the breakdown of food and absorption of nutrients. Basically, the body's natural digestive process works best when it's not overwhelmed with too much liquid at once.

Does The Amount Of Water You Drink Matters?

On the contrary, Mayo Clinic suggests that water doesn't weaken your digestive juices. Instead, it helps break down the food you eat, so your body can absorb the nutrients. Water is also a key part of saliva, which helps you chew and swallow. Plus, it's a component of stomach acid, which is essential for digesting food. Drinking enough water can also soften your stool, helping to prevent constipation and keep things moving smoothly.

Most people benefit from drinking water with meals, but there are exceptions. If you have heart, kidney, or liver disease, you might need to limit how much water you drink. These conditions can affect how your body handles fluids, so it's important to talk to your doctor or healthcare team about the right amount of water for you.

When Should You Drink Water After Eating

Experts say that while a little water is ok, drinking too much after eating is not advisable. It's best to wait 30-60 minutes before having a large drink. While some water after a meal can help you feel full and stay hydrated, too much can cause bloating or discomfort. Remember, everyone's body is different, and factors like age, health, and medications can affect how you react to water after meals, so moderation is key. You can always incorporate different ways to improve your digestion, you should also get checked by a healthcare professional for the same to be safe. Here are some ways you can improve your digestion:

• Give your body time to digest your food.
• Fiber helps keep things moving through your digestive system, but drink plenty of water if you increase your fiber intake.
• Physical activity helps your gut work properly.
• Stress can affect your digestion, so try to relax, especially during meals.
• Avoid overeating, which can lead to discomfort.
• Regular meal times can help your digestive system work more efficiently.

We have all celebrated the come back of Sunita Williams from the nine-month long ISS mission. But did you know that for the longest women astronauts were not sent into space or sent on more extended missions because of menstruation. However, it was not until Sally Ride, who became the first woman to menstruate in space became famous for her tampons.

This of course came with a set of challenges and figuring out on how many tampons would she need. Or how would she dispose them or the cost and weight of it. However, the big question is, how do women handle their period in space. How does menstruation work in microgravity?

Menstruation In Microgravity

While it is a common guess for many to think that in space, it becomes a retrograde menstruation, which means the blood flows back and could cause damage too. However, this is not the case. The female reproductive system is actually immune to the lack of gravity.

There are two options in how astronauts manage their period in space. They can either choose to delay period by taking pills or just deal with it as and when it comes.

There are waste-disposal facilities on board the international space station or the ISS that can handle human blood. However, it had not always been designed this way. Another challenge for women having their period is the added weight and the calculations of taking items like tampons and sanitary napkins.

The astronauts at NASA also undergo individual assessments tailored to their needs, mission duration and physiology. There are protocols too that allow for several choices, and individual treatment selected for any particular astronaut is a private matter between the astronaut and the flight surgeon.

However, the reality is that most women actually opt for contraceptives and put their periods on hold. This happens both during the preparation and during the spaceflight. However, no research has yet been done on long-term use of contraceptives in space. What we do know is that it can be consumed for long-term on earth.

Things Were Not Always That Easy

Like mentioned before, women were not sent on space missions thinking of retrograde menstruation. Furthermore, in 1964, researchers from the Women in Space Program suggested that putting "temperamental psychophysiologic human" which means hormonal women together with a "complicated machine" was a bad idea. While this was without any evidence, such biases have further hindered women and their achievement in the space.

However, it was the 1971 NASA report that pointed out that there may be place for women in space.

The Kanas and Fedderson's 1971 report went on to state: Information regarding women during periods of stress is scanty. This lack, plus previously mentioned problems will make it difficult for a woman to be a member of the first long-duration space missions. However, it is just as unlikely to think that women cannot adapt to space. Initial exploration parties are historically composed of men, for various cultural and social reasons. Once space exploration by men has been successfully accomplished, then women will follow. In preparation for this, more information should be compiled regarding the physiology and psychology of women under stressful situations.