Let‘s Clear the Air! All Things Allergy, Asthma & Immunology

Host Marcella Feathers speaks with Nurse Practitioner Pam Wright and patient Ben (with his mother Amy) about Ben’s struggle with frequent sinus infections, poor sleep, daytime fatigue, and missed school. After allergy testing revealed new results, Ben began allergy shots and experienced dramatic improvements. The conversation covers the steps involved in testing, his treatment experience, and the life-changing benefits of better sleep, fewer illnesses, and getting back to soccer! Listen as this patient's story offers hope and practical encouragement to families facing similar issues.

Host Marcella Feathers and guest Dr. Erin Rohman address some of the tricky signs of food and environmental allergies in infants and toddlers (spit up, chronic diarrhea, persistent eczema, and frequent runny noses) while providing reasons for comfort and hope to their parents or caregivers. The first step: a conversation with a board-certified allergist. Dr. Rohman shares how an allergist can help parents work through possible causes of the child's symptoms and how, together with the allergist, they can determine what testing or eliminations are reasonable. This relationship and dialogue can ease parents' doubts and the anxieties that come with any unknowns. And by focusing on how to improve the quality of life for everyone involved, an allergist can help "open up the world for both parents and children." Listen to learn more about how an allergist works with patients to decipher the causes of allergic triggers and how that expertise can eliminate your child's allergic reactions and improve their immunity and resilience for the long term.

In this episode of Let's Clear the Air, host Liz Edwards and Nurse Practitioner Jim O'Rourke discuss how allergies and asthma disrupt sleep in children and adults — from nasal congestion, mouth breathing, and snoring to histamine’s wakeful effects. They offer practical tips on how to improve your sleep environment, how to sleep better with pets and stuffed animals, and how (and when) to use a saline sinus rinse. Jim also shares what to expect from an initial visit with an allergist and how medications or allergy shots can help restore better sleep.

Dr. Erin Rohman talks with host Marcella Feathers about acute and chronic sinusitis: the symptoms, the causes, and, most importantly, the solution! Dr. Rohman begins by describing the differences between acute and chronic sinusitis, which aren’t always very obvious. For example, the color of nasal discharge can be yellow, white, green, clear.... But other symptoms are usually involved: the thickness of the discharge, headaches, cough, bad breath, even a foul smell or taste. Dr. Rohman also shares how the time of year, including the presence of viruses like the common cold, can lead to sinusitis, as well as how allergies introduce yet another variable into the diagnosis. All of this to say that, like allergies, every patients' symptoms and the root causes of those symptoms are different, and that’s why seeing an expert can help. By conducting a physical exam, reviewing patient history, and ordering imaging if needed, experts like Dr. Rohman can zero-in on your unique situation and offer a unique solution. Listen to learn more about sinusitis and how board-certified allergists can help make a big difference in your ability to live and breathe better.

Are you confused about pet allergies? In this episode of "Let's Clear the Air," host Liz Edwards and Dr. John Overholt reveal the truth from fiction! Listen as Dr. Overholt addresses common questions (or myths) about pet allergies, including the real meaning of "hypoallergenic" breeds. You'll discover why banning your pet from the bedroom is often not enough and how swapping a dog or cat for a "pocket pet" like a hamster or guinea pig can be just as risky for allergy sufferers. Learn the single most effective cleaning method and, most importantly, how modern immunotherapy makes it so that you and your pet can live together happily ever after–all on this episode of "Let's Clear the Air!"

Dr. Nicholas Cline talks with host Marcella Feathers about a form of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) known as allergy drops. Allergy drops can be a preferred immunotherapy route for allergic patients who have busy schedules, travel, or are afraid of needles. Dr. Cline shares his experiences with SLIT patients as well as the results of various studies and how allergy drops compare to other, more limited non-needle options.

Host Marcella Feathers talks with Nurse Practitioner and asthma expert Sharon Lever about the importance of the flu vaccine this season, especially for people with asthma and existing comorbidities. Learn about the recent and predicted spikes in flu rates, the newest strain (Flu A), and why asthmatics are at an increased risk of severe symptoms and hospitalization. Sharon also explains why some people think getting the vaccine causes the flu, why medical professionals are legitimately concerned about current vaccination rates, and why it's not too late to get vaccinated!

Join Dr. Nicholas Cline and host Marcella Feathers as they discuss the reintroduction of the Penicillin Allergy Verification and Evaluation (PAVE) Act. The PAVE Act would require physicians to verify a penicillin allergy during the "Welcome to Medicare" preventive visit and annual Medicare wellness visits. Penicillin was discovered in 1928 by Alexander Fleming and is an inexpensive but very effective antibiotic. Dr. Cline shares why the majority of patients who believe they're allergic to penicillin may have an inaccurate diagnosis and what options are available for determining if an allergy actually exists. Whether or not you're a Medicare patient, confirming a penicillin allergy can save you money and time!

Join host Liz Edwards and Dr. Paul Carter as they dive into how to manage food allergies during the holidays, when to use epinephrine, and the options available for epinephrine delivery. For food-allergic patients, potluck dinners during the holidays can pose all sorts of risks. Host Liz Edwards and Dr. Paul Carter cover all the bases: from social anxiety asking about ingredients to relatives' ignorance regarding "small" amounts. Learn safe ways to navigate your food options. And just in case an allergen is ingested, Dr. Carter and Liz share how to determine if an anaphylactic reaction is happening and how to use an epinephrine auto-injector. They also talk about the many delivery options for epinephrine that are now available, including a nose spray for needle-averse patients! This episode is perfectly timed for the holidays for anyone who has or knows someone who has food allergies. So listen now, and keep the holidays safe and fun for everyone!

Join Dr. Phil Jones and host Marcella Feathers as they dive into a discussion about chronic hives and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS). Learn what's involved in diagnosing urticaria, some of the many types or causes of hives, and how new options in treatment can provide relief for many patients. In connection with urticaria, Dr. Jones shares the three "must haves" for making a diagnosis of MCAS and how working with patients to find answers is at the forefront of his practicing methods.

Fall means back to school, and back to school can mean a return to allergic and asthmatic triggers for many students. Whether dust mites, mold, or fall pollen is contributing, your child may be exposed to classroom triggers that can interfere with their school performance, concentration, and sleep. In this episode of Let's Clear the Air, Dr. Nicholas Cline describes common school allergens, what symptoms to be on the lookout for, and how you can help your student bring their A-game this school year!

Dr. Nicholas Cline and host Marcella Feathers discuss two high-profile medicines: diphenhydramine and montelukast. Learn what allergic and asthmatic symptoms these first-generation medications are used to treat, what potential side effects may occur, and why newer options can offer better results with fewer risks.

Is the heat making you feel too heavy, too depleted to enjoy these last days of summer? You're not alone! Host Liz Edwards talks with Nurse Practitioner James O'Rourke about the burdensome effects of seasonal allergens, sticky humidity, and the oppressive heat. The Dog Days of Summer, with their high temperatures and high humidity in the South, can worsen allergies, asthma, and eczema. Learn how breathing in hot air and airborne allergens, as well as contact with summer pollens, affect your nose, eyes, skin, and lungs, and how to be prepared and limit your exposure.

Are summertime allergies or asthma symptoms putting a damper on your enjoyment of the season? They don't have to! Listen as host Liz Edwards talks with Dr. Sarah Adams about how to have summer fun without the allergic or asthmatic distractions. When it comes to summer, the heat and humidity affect everyone; but for anyone who suffers from allergies or asthma, the season can become even more debilitating. If you notice you or your child needs frequent breaks, has chest pain, coughs. or just can't keep up with others when taking part in outdoor activities, it might be asthma. Unfortunately, we often accept what's "normal" for us as normal for others. That's where a board-certified allergist can help. Through actual measurements, allergists can determine how the lungs, sinuses, throat -- all things respiratory -- are functioning and can help you or your loved one enjoy every day of summer! Listen to learn more about how asthma and allergies can be detected and how allergists do all things allergy/asthma to help everyone thrive in any season of life.

Host Liz Edwards and Dr. Michael Norvell provide an overview of biologics in this episode of "Let's Clear the Air!" The Allergy, Asthma & Sinus Center began using biologics for asthma in 2010. Since then, biologics have been on a fast path of development. These molecularly engineered products operate on a very small scale and are different from typically prescribed or over-the-counter medicines, which use chemicals to initiate a physical response. Listen to learn more about the superior safety profiles of biologics, their multiple uses within the allergy and asthma specialty, and their proven effectiveness.

Board-certified allergist Dr. Paul Carter and host Liz Edwards discuss all the tools in the specialist's toolbox for an accurate asthma diagnosis and an effective treatment plan. Beginning with the allergic march, Dr. Carter reviews the progression of allergies to asthma and its telltale symptoms. He explains what a first visit looks like, what triggers can exacerbate asthma, and how a diagnosis is made. Dr. Carter also describes the different levels of asthma, their corresponding treatment options, and how those treatments work. But most importantly, he reveals the significant impact effective treatment can have on a patient's quality of life. Learn more about the allergist's asthma toolbox in this episode of Let's Clear the Air!

In this episode of Let's Clear the Air, Dr. Nicholas Cline talks with host Marcella Feathers about a process known as Oral Food Challenge. Used to either clear or definitively determine a food allergy, the oral food challenge takes place in a controlled setting. For folks who may have been food allergic but are now testing negative via a skin test, or for anyone who has a blood test result of 2 or less, a food challenge can provide certainty. By introducing the allergic food in small, increasing doses, your allergist can watch for reactions, such as a drop in blood pressure, hives, and wheezing, and respond accordingly. Listen to learn more about who is a good candidate for an oral food challenge and how the certainty of a diagnosis (or lack thereof) can be empowering.

Host Liz Edwards introduces us to Dr. Pragya Shrestha, a deeply caring and naturally curious board-certified allergist at our Middle Tennessee clinics. Originally from Nepal, Dr. Shrestha has extensive experience in allergy, asthma and immunology. She has worked and trained at Reading Hospital in Pennsylvania, Mayo Clinic, and Vanderbilt. Curious about the workings of the human body at a young age, she was able to solidify her interest in the medical field by volunteering at a hospital during high school. After seeing the depth and scope of the field of allergy, asthma and immunology, Dr. Shrestha was ready to combine her love of deep investigative work to uncovering the root cause of allergic and asthmatic symptoms. Dr. Shrestha's devotion to making a significant difference in her patients' lives is obvious. From enabling them to overcome seasonal allergy symptoms, to improving an eczema or urticaria patient's confidence, to seeing a child's excitement at his first successful bite of Nutella during a food challenge, Dr. Shrestha thrives on seeing her patients thrive! Learn more about Dr. Pragya Shrestha's passions and curiosities in this episode of "Let's Clear the Air!"