If you're among the estimated 25 million Americans suffering from seasonal allergies, spring may not be your favorite time of year. It marks the start of watery red eyes, runny nose, sneezing and coughing, all signs of airways inflamed because the immune system is overreacting to the presence of pollen, mold or some other allergen. What can an outdoor lover do? Are allergy seasons getting longer and longer or does it just seem that way? And why is Houston such a hotspot? In today's episode, we discuss one of the most common but overlooked diseases, allergic rhinitis.

Hosts: Zach Moore, Todd Ackerman (interviewer)

Expert: Dr. Mas Takashima, Otolaryngologist

Notable topics covered:

• What the 2023 season has in store for allergy sufferers
• How allergies are an unintended consequence of our ancestors' defense against parasites
• What allergy sufferers should do on high pollen days
• How to distinguish between allergies and sinus infections
• The most common triggers for Spring, Summer and Fall
• How global warming is affecting allergy seasons
• The ages at which allergies hit hardest and start to decline
• Potential solutions: Allergy shots? Masks?
• Which matters most when it comes to allergies — genetics or environment? 

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