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Fitness & Health

18th Apr 2016

Scientists warn that hayfever drugs may come with very serious health risks

Carl Kinsella

It’s April now, so pretty soon the pollen-averse among us will be scratching their eyes and sneezing to beat the band…

But all of that might actually be preferable to the possible risks that come with taking hayfever medication.

Scientists at the Indiana School of Medicine have advised that pensioners should avoid hayfever and allergy tablets – as studies have shown they lead to smaller brain sizes and decreased metabolisms.

According to the Telegraph, first author of the study Dr. Shannon Risacher said “These findings provide us with a much better understanding of how this class of drugs may act upon the brain in ways that might raise the risk of cognitive impairment and dementia.”

“Given all the research evidence, physicians might want to consider alternatives to anticholinergic medications if available when working with their older patients.”

So if you’ve got an elderly relative who takes hayfever medication, April might be a good time to let them know of the risks.

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Topics:

Hayfever