> Somehow vscode (including their renderers) manages to come in pretty low compared to even Apples native apps.

Because the issue isn't electron, it's not freeing resources which you can do in any language/platform.

(one who recommended surgery here)

I tried hyposensibilization therapy, and while it worked for seasonal birch pollen issues, it didn't work for dust mites, oral allergies, and chronically stuffed sinuses.

It basically means surgically removing parts of your chronically enlarged/swollen turbinates so that your airways are free again. Along with that I've had a nasal spur removed (slightly blocked airways); Septumplastic (had a slightly deviated septum that also inhibited airflow a bit); and while at it the ENT also recommended and did FESS (Opening/Widening some paths to the sinuses).

It was a pretty life changing surgery that finally allowed me to properly sleep again, and do exercises/run while breathing through the nose. For some people, the turbinates may become enlarged again after a while, but for me it's been great for two years already.

Depending on how bad it is for you, I can recommend thinking about turbinectomy. Had it done due to chronic, allergy related swellings, and it was life changing.

Evolution just needs people survive long enough to reproduce. If they get sick afterwards, it doesn't care.