Trending

Brits told to prepare for thunderstorms to bring ‘super pollen’ this week

"Thunderstorms can bring major problems for hay fever sufferers."

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 8th June 2022

Millions of Brits are being told to prepare as a combination of thunderstorms and a high pollen count are set to combine and create the weather phenomenon “thunder fever” this week.

According to weather forecasters, the remnants of tropical storm Alex – which notably brought flooding to southern Florida earlier this month – will track across the Atlantic over the next few days and arrive on UK shores, bringing unseasonably strong winds of up to 55mph and thundery showers along with it.

The predicted wind and rain, together with warm temperatures and a high pollen count, has now prompted warnings for hay fever sufferers nationwide.

“Thunderstorms bring problems for hay fever sufferers,” said allergens expert Max Wiseberg.

“Very high pollen counts are predicted across many parts of England from Thursday onwards causing havoc for the millions of hay fever sufferers in the UK [and] predicted thunderstorms won’t give respite either, as instead they can cause a phenomenon known as ‘thunder fever’.”

ADVERTISEMENT

But what actually is ‘thunder fever’ then?

Well, to put it simply, ‘thunder fever’ is just an extreme form of extreme hay fever.

ADVERTISEMENT

Hay fever – which is also known by the medical term allergic rhinitis – is triggered when our immune systems mistake airborne particles, such as pollen, for a harmful pathogen, and this usually causes a number of unpleasant symptoms for sufferers, including inflammation of the airways, constant sneezing, and watering eyes.

Giving more of an insight into the weather phenomenon, Mr Wiseberg continued: “According to a report in The European Respiratory review, humidity breaks pollen grains into smaller allergenic particles [and] these new pollen grains turn into a kind of ‘super pollen’.

“This appears to be more allergenic than normal pollen, causing more severe reactions in sufferers.

ADVERTISEMENT

“Storms bring pollen grains down which might have otherwise risen above head height out of harm’s way and whipping up pollen grains and fungal spores near the ground.”

Read more: People are raving about these 99p hay fever wipes that ‘rapidly’ relieve symptoms

The Met Office is predicting that the former tropical storm will be heading far north west of the UK on Thursday and Friday, but deputy chief meteorologist Adam Thornhill admits that the details “are still being worked out”.

Winds could be around 45mph for most in the north of the UK, with a chance of some gusts in excess of 55mph in some exposed island and coastal areas.

Featured Image – PxHere

Trending

A friendly reminder that there’s a takeaway called Jack Grillish in Swinton

Danny Jones Danny Jones Jack Grillish takeaway Manchester

As were swept up in World Cup fever, football seems to be slowly consuming every other aspect of our everyday life, including food. Then we remembered there’s a takeaway called Jack Grillish.

Yes, seriously.

lf you’ve never heard of the pun-based fast-food joint over in Swinton, Salford, Jack Grillish is the late-night grill and cult-favourite takeaway named after the man himself.

Despite only joining Manchester City back in August of 2021, it didn’t take long at all for Grealish to get his own takeaway named after him, as the Chorley Road spot formerly known as Food Station changed its name not long after.

Most football legends have to wait their entire career to have a foodstuff named after them, let alone an entire building. In fact, we went there a couple of months back to see it ourselves.

Read more:

Jack Grillish‘s menu is exactly the kind of thing you’d expect to see at any no-nonsense takeaway in Greater Manchester: big burgers, lots of lovely chicken and plenty of naughty desserts.

Specialising in large trays of baked chicken, cheese and chips, it might not be the kind of thing the man himself can eat whilst away at England camp, but it’d certainly make for a banging tea for anyone watching the France game at home this Saturday.

Put another way, we’re hoping that by ordering from the gaff before the game, we’ll send a message out into the universe and not only will ‘Super Jack’ score but we breeze into the next stage of Qatar 2022.

If you also happen to be a bit superstitious, you can order from Jack Grillish HERE.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Image — Jack Grillish (via Facebook)/Jack Grealish (via Instagram)

Trending

Scientists discover the ‘world’s most relaxing song’ – but warn not to listen to it while driving

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

After lots of extensive research, a new study has officially discovered what is claimed to be the “most relaxing song” in the world.

And now, they’re warning motorists not to listen to it behind the wheel.

The song, which is titled Weightless by Marconi Union, has been found to reduce blood pressure, slow the heart rate, decrease levels of cortisol – also known as the stress hormone – and can even make people so relaxed, they become drowsy and can even fall asleep, according to the study by shower gel brand Radox Spa.

Not only that, but the eight-minute piece of music was even found to be more relaxing than heading out for a walk, having a massage, or sipping a cup of tea.

During the research project, a group of participating women were given puzzles to complete in an allotted amount of time in order to increase their stress levels, and then, after completing the puzzles, they were played a number of different songs to essentially calm them down.

While the songs were being played, the participants’ heart rates, blood pressure, and breathing were monitored by scientists.

Once all the research was complete, the study eventually found that ‘Weightless’ was 11% more effective than the other songs – with a reduction in anxiety levels by 65%, and even making some of the participants “drowsy”.

Scientists discover the world’s most relaxing song, but warn not to listen to it while driving / Credit: RAC

“The results clearly show that the track induced the greatest relaxation,” explained Dr David Lewis-Hodgson, who conducted the research.

“Brain imaging studies have shown that music works at a very deep level within the brain, stimulating not only those regions responsible for processing sound, but also ones associated with emotions, and in fact, Weightless was so effective, many women became drowsy.”

Due to the drowsy nature of the song, Dr Lewis-Hodgson said he would “advise against driving while listening to the song” as he believes it could be “dangerous.”

The reason the song is so relaxing, though, isn’t quite as coincidental as it may initially seem.

The band actually admitted to working with sound therapists on the track, and used pianos, guitars, chimes, and buddhist chants to create the melody.

The song can even make people so relaxed, they become drowsy and may even fall asleep / Credit: Gregory Pappas (via Unsplash)

Speaking on how the song was created, Lyz Cooper – founder of the British Academy of Sound Therapy – added: “The song makes use of many musical principles that have been shown to individually have a calming effect, and by combining these elements in the way Marconi Union have, has created the perfect relaxing song.

“The study found this to be the world’s most relaxing song.”

Ms Cooper explained that the song is so relaxing as it contains a sustaining rhythm that starts at 60 beats per minute and gradually slows to around 50, so while listening to it, your heart rate gradually comes to match that beat – which is known as entrainment.

She also explained that the duration of the song being eight minutes in length is “important” as it generally takes about five minutes for this process to occur.

Read more:

On top of that, Ms Cooper also added that the songs has no repeating melody throughout, which essentially allows your brain to completely switch off because you are no longer trying to predict what is coming next.

Fancy seeing what the crack is then? You can listen to it here – but just not in the car.

Featured Image – Fausto Sandoval (via Unsplash)

More Trending

Football fans call out FA TikTok head injury joke

News

Football fans call out ‘tone-deaf’ FA TikTok for mocking ‘life-threatening’ head injury

Trending

Sleep researchers will send you FREE CHEESE if you take part in this new sleep study

Roy Keane rips off his shirt goal Qatar

Sport

Roy Keane rips off his shirt after scoring the winner in a kickabout against Micah Richards

Audio

Clint Boon takes us around Manchester's iconic Deaf Institute

Eats

We go meatballs deep with Mira's traditional Neapolitan sandwiches