Allergies

There is much debate as to whether or not there actually is global warming on the earth, and whether this is a man-made or a natural event. If the earth truly is warming, we might expect a "greenhouse" effect, causing the increased growth of plants as well as an increase in the pollination of these plants. We might also expect the pollinating seasons of these plants, such as spring and fall, to occur earlier in the year and to last longer. Three recent studies showed that pollen seasons are occurring earlier in the year, lasting longer, and resulting in more airborne pollen. Worsening of pollen allergies may be another effect of global warming that has yet to be fully recognized.

With the close of the Winter Olympics, winter is unofficially over and spring allergies are upon us. In many parts of the country, especially the southern parts of the United States, trees are already pollinating heavily.
If you haven't already done so, your first step in planning your fight against spring allergies is to see an allergist. Your allergist can determine what allergies you have with allergy testing, and then formulate a treatment plan best suited to your needs. This may include allergen prevention, medications and the consideration of immunotherapy.