Page 23 - BusinessWest April 1, 2024

MONTHLY FEATURE
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A Blooming
Challenge S
the world around us turning from
of outdoor molds in the soil. This early activity, combined with spring rains, means that out- door mold spores are already circulating, ready to trigger allergy symptoms. With tree pollen following closely behind, residents may find themselves in the midst of a particularly chal- lenging allergy season.
Understanding Allergies and Asthma
Allergies occur when the immune system overreacts to substances in the environment, known as allergens, which are harmless to most people. These can include tree, grass, and weed pollens; molds; animal danders; and dust mites. When these allergens are inhaled or come into contact with the skin, they can cause symptoms such as sneezing, itching, runny nose, and watery eyes.
For some, allergies can also exacerbate asthma, a condition characterized by inflam-
Spring Allergies and Asthma Are Problems in Western Mass.
brown to green. However, for many
BusinessWest
MONTHLY FEATURE
APRIL 1, 2024 23
BY DAVID ROBERTSON, MD, MPH, MBA
pring is a season of rebirth and reju- venation, with flowers blooming and
area residents, this beautiful transfor- mation comes with a less-welcome companion, with Springfield consistently ranking as one of the worst cities in the country for allergies and asthma.
This year, the warm winter that just came to an end is set to extend the allergy sea- son, bringing about an early and possibly more intense onset of symptoms for allergy sufferers.
The Warm Winter Effect
Typically, cold winters help delay the start of the allergy season by keeping plants dormant and the ground frozen longer. A warmer winter can lead to an earlier thawing and activation