Allergy season is starting 20 days earlier. That means the misery starts sooner.
My doctors cycled through treatments: first antibiotics, then decongestants, and finally allergy medications. Either I caught the most persistent cold imaginable or, somewhere along the way, spring allergies took over.
'There's a real synergy between colds and allergies, especially if someone gets sick during tree pollen season. The result is often a longer, more intense period of symptoms,' said Dr. Frederic Little, a pulmonologist and allergist at Boston Medical Center.
Whether it was just allergies or a combination, I felt miserable.
Advertisement
Allergies have been starting weeks before the blooms begin here in New England. You might even start coughing and sneezing before the snow melts for the season.
Advertisement
'What's been validated
The USA National Phenology Network's
The spring leaf index for the United States this year.
US NPN
Interestingly, Little explained, the pollen that descends upon New England starting as early as February often 'isn't even from here — it's from trees in the Southeast.'
The pollen released from trees down South 'can travel up to 30,000 feet and ride the jet stream north, arriving before our local species even bloom,' he said. Then, as high pressure and sinking air move in, those pollen particles find their way back down to the surface.
According to meteorologist Shel Winkley, the growing season has increased significantly across the Carolinas, which in turn kicks off pollen season even earlier.
'Raleigh's growing season has increased by 38 days. Charlotte, Asheville, Greenville, all are seeing a month or more of extra plant growth time per year,' said Winkley. A longer season in the Carolinas translates into an earlier season here in New England.
Some experts believe there is another piece to the equation that's worsening your symptoms:
Advertisement
'(Carbon dioxide) is plant food. It doesn't just warm the planet — it supercharges plants to grow more and produce more pollen, making allergy seasons not only longer but more intense,' Winkley said. Atmospheric carbon dioxide levels have now surpassed 425 parts per million, which is the highest concentration in human history and a clear marker of accelerating climate change.
New England's triggering pollens
Trees, grass, and weeds are prolific producers of pollen, generating up to 1 billion pollen grains, according to the
Despite the longer allergy season, the foundation ranked Boston, Worcester, and Providence as 'better than average' places to live with seasonal allergies, according to its
Doctors agree that New England's pollen levels are about the same as last year, 'but if somebody is super allergic to certain deciduous tree pollens, they can feel a lot worse than the average individual. And with the growing season getting longer, even an average year can still feel pretty miserable for a lot of people,' Little said.
Tree pollens are the biggest irritants across the region this month.
Boston Globe
Common tree pollen triggers in the spring include juniper, alder, oak, cottonwood, cedar, hickory, birch, and willow, among others. Weeds are mainly triggers from late August into early fall.
According to the asthma foundation, more than 90 million people in the US suffer from allergies.
Advertisement
Dr. Karen Hsu Blatman, Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center's section chief of allergy and clinical immunology, said taking proactive treatment can help patients find relief when allergies strike. 'We recommend people start nasal steroid sprays a month ahead of the season — even before symptoms start. If you wait, it's harder to get symptoms under control," she said.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
12 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Four Senior Biden Officials to Testify in Probe on His Health: Report
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Four senior officials in former President Joe Biden's administration are set to testify in a House probe into Biden's health while in office. Newsweek reached out to Jill and Joe Biden's office via online form Tuesday for comment. Why It Matters Biden dropped out of the 2024 presidential race in late July following a disastrous debate performance against then-Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump. Biden repeatedly stared at Trump and made halting statements where he appeared to lose his train of thought. Biden later said he had "a bad, bad night." Questions swirled about his mental acuity and possible decline as the White House and then Vice President Kamala Harris fielded questions about his cognitive ability in the final months of his presidency. Biden also faced harsh feedback as excerpts from CNN's Jake Tapper and Axios' Alex Thompson's book Original Sin: President Biden's Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again were published. What To Know According to Politico, citing a House Oversight Committee aid, former deputy chief of staff Annie Tomasini, former deputy director of Oval Office operations Ashley Williams, former director of the Domestic Policy Council Neera Tanden, and Anthony Bernal, former senior adviser to the then first lady, are all set to testify in either June or July. Committee Chair James Comer requested their cooperation with the probe in May and also sent Biden's physician, Kevin O'Connor, a subpoena last week, Politico reports. In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Comer said that he requested O'Connor appear for a deposition on June 27, 2025. Trump has pushed White House lawyers to look into whether Biden's aides covered up his alleged health decline, Reuters reports. Biden also revealed last month that he had been diagnosed with an "aggressive" form of prostate cancer that had metastasized to the bone. Former President Joe Biden can be seen posing at the opening night of "Othello" on Broadway at The Barrymore Theatre on March 23, 2025, in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Glikas/WireImage) Former President Joe Biden can be seen posing at the opening night of "Othello" on Broadway at The Barrymore Theatre on March 23, 2025, in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Glikas/WireImage) What People Are Saying House Oversight Committee on X over the weekend: "Even Obama's doctor admits the truth. This is precisely why Chairman @RepJamesComer subpoenaed Dr. Kevin O'Connor, Biden's physician. This is a scandal of historical proportions, and we will investigate it thoroughly!" Trump on Truth Social in May after Biden's diagnosis: "Melania and I are saddened to hear about Joe Biden's recent medical diagnosis. We extend our warmest and best wishes to Jill and the family, and we wish Joe a fast and successful recovery." Biden in a statement last week: "Let me be clear: I made the decisions during my presidency. I made the decisions about the pardons, executive orders, legislation, and proclamations. Any suggestion that I didn't is ridiculous and false," Biden said. "This is nothing more than a distraction by Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans who are working to push disastrous legislation that would cut essential programs like Medicaid and raise costs on American families, all to pay for tax breaks for the ultra-wealthy and big corporations."
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Yahoo
As a doctor, I'm telling you that Medicaid cuts will cost Ohio money — and lives
As a Cincinnati doctor, I see what Medicaid cuts will cost us. I work as a primary care physician in Cincinnati − much of my job involves counseling people on the long-term risks of today's actions. I remind parents that juice contributes to early diabetes in their children. I teach teenagers that regular cannabis use increases the risk of psychosis. I urge patients to take their blood pressure medications to avoid future strokes and heart attacks. I refer people for colonoscopies to catch cancer early. My job is about prevention − acting now to avoid suffering later. Congress is about to do the opposite. More: Trump budget bill would slash Medicaid. How it would affect Ohio The House Budget Reconciliation Bill includes drastic cuts to Medicaid, which will take health insurance away from Ohioans. If passed, these cuts won't just cost the state billions of dollars − they'll cost lives. Estimates suggest that between 300,000 and 500,000 Ohioans will lose their health insurance coverage due to these cuts. They are unlikely to find other options. Employment benefits won't suddenly appear. In 2018, the Ohio Department of Medicaid reported that the vast majority (93.8%) of Ohio Medicaid recipients were employed, in school, taking care of family members, or navigating severe illness. The average Ohioan on Medicaid won't be able to afford private health insurance − self-insured plans cost upwards of $8,000 per year. The result? Fewer people will get the care they need. Uninsured individuals are three times more likely to postpone or avoid seeking care and much more likely to skip medications due to cost. People won't stop getting sick − they'll just stop getting care. When care stops, hospitals close. According to a 2025 report from the Center for Healthcare Quality and Payment Reform, 'over the past two decades, nearly 200 rural hospitals have closed. As a result, the millions of Americans who live in those communities no longer have access to an emergency room, inpatient care, and many other hospital services that citizens in most of the rest of the country take for granted." More: Ohio lawmakers wanted to keep kids on Medicaid. Then they changed course As of April 2025, there are eight Ohio hospitals at risk of closing, and there are 34 Ohio hospitals operating at a financial loss. If these Medicaid cuts go through, hospitals in Ohio will have to provide more than $2 million more in uncompensated care each year, while missing out on millions in revenue from covered care. This financial stress will be too much. Hospitals will close, costing communities thousands of jobs and worsening health care shortages in areas. Once hospitals close, patients will have to travel further and wait even longer. They will delay care due to these inconveniences, and they will suffer more. Eventually, they'll still seek care − because illness doesn't wait. But often, it will be too late. A few years back, I took care of a patient in the hospital who was living with diabetes and hypertension. He lost his insurance when he lost his job during the COVID-19 layoffs. Without health insurance and transportation, he couldn't see a doctor. He ignored the worsening numbness in his feet and blurry vision while he desperately tried to stay housed and find work. By the time he realized how sick he was and finally arrived at the hospital, his foot was gangrenous, the infection had spread to his bones, and he had suffered multiple small strokes. His eyesight was permanently damaged. After extensive surgeries and a prolonged hospital stay, he was discharged to a nursing facility, where he faced an uphill battle to recover. More: Man with rare skin disease fears Medicaid cuts This story is not unique. Each year, millions experience lapses in their health care coverage, leading to delayed or forgone care. If these cuts to Medicaid pass, there will be millions more. Uninsured adults are more likely to delay care, to develop more serious illnesses with more complicated and longer hospital stays, and are at increased risk of early death. The decisions lawmakers make today will have lasting effects. As a doctor, I see the human cost of delayed care and insurance lapses every day. As an Ohioan, I know our communities can't afford this. Call your representatives and senators. Tell them to protect our health and our hospitals. Tell them: Don't cut Medicaid. Joshua Smith is a resident physician at The Christ Hospital and University of Cincinnati Medical Center, training in Family Medicine and Psychiatry. All opinions and views expressed here are his own and do not reflect those of his places of work or employers. The information provided does not represent medical advice, and patient details have been changed to protect privacy. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Ohio will lose healthcare access if Congress cuts Medicaid | Opinion
USA Today
6 days ago
- USA Today
New Article from Kugler Vision Reveals the True Cost of LASIK in Omaha and Why It May Save Patients Thousands
For individuals in Omaha considering LASIK, the conversation often begins and ends with price. But according to a new article from Kugler Vision, a leading provider of advanced vision correction procedures in Nebraska, the upfront cost of LASIK is only part of the story. The real comparison lies in understanding how LASIK stacks up against the lifetime financial burden of glasses and contact lenses—a burden that, for many, quietly adds up to tens of thousands of dollars over the years. Published by Lance Kugler, MD, 'The True Cost of LASIK in Omaha' challenges the common assumption that laser eye surgery is financially out of reach. The article reveals that the cost of LASIK in Omaha is driven by technology, the surgeon's experience, and the clinic itself. Kugler Vision stands out by offering clear, upfront pricing with no hidden fees following a consultation—something that sets them apart in a market where price transparency is not always guaranteed. Each patient receives a personalized estimate following a comprehensive EyeAnalysis consultation, where the clinical team evaluates vision goals, eye health, and candidacy for modern LASIK or one of six other advanced vision correction procedures. While the initial sticker price may give some patients pause, the article emphasizes that the long-term savings of LASIK can be significant. A person who wears two-week disposable contact lenses typically spends around $1,345 per year on lenses, solution, and related supplies. Over 25 years, that cost balloons to more than $33,000—and that's before factoring in inflation. Eyeglasses aren't much better, with regular updates to frames and prescriptions adding to the financial load. In contrast, LASIK is a one-time procedure with a high satisfaction rate and the potential to eliminate dependency on corrective lenses altogether. Many patients find that the money they save after LASIK can be redirected toward other priorities—family vacations, home purchases, or savings for the future. The article also outlines how LASIK has become more financially accessible than ever before. Kugler Vision offers financing options through trusted healthcare payment partners, making it possible for patients to break the total cost into manageable monthly installments. Qualified applicants can take advantage of up to two years of interest-free financing or opt for longer-term plans with low monthly payments. This flexibility makes it easier for individuals to pursue vision correction without delaying care due to financial barriers. For those exploring ways to reduce the upfront cost further, the article suggests using funds from a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Health Savings Account (HSA). Additionally, patients who receive tax refunds are encouraged to consider investing that money in a procedure that can offer long-term savings and freedom from glasses or contacts. In some cases, LASIK may also qualify as a tax-deductible medical expense, depending on how an individual itemizes deductions. Kugler Vision advises patients to speak with a tax professional to explore this potential benefit. Kugler Vision's commitment to patient-centered care extends beyond cost transparency. The article emphasizes that value is not just about price—it's also about the quality of care, technology used, and overall patient experience. Led by Dr. Lance Kugler, the Omaha team utilizes advanced diagnostic and surgical equipment to provide customized LASIK treatment plans tailored to each patient's needs. Their approach includes thorough pre-operative assessments, top-tier surgical precision, and attentive post-operative care, which collectively contribute to high satisfaction rates and consistently excellent outcomes. In a field where some clinics advertise unusually low LASIK prices, Kugler Vision urges patients to proceed with caution. Lower price tags may sometimes reflect older technology, less experienced surgeons, or inadequate follow-up care—all of which can affect both safety and results. Kugler Vision's article reinforces that the true cost of LASIK should be evaluated in terms of value, not just price. Choosing a provider based solely on the lowest quote may carry unintended risks that compromise long-term satisfaction and visual outcomes. Patients interested in learning more about the financial side of LASIK or exploring their eligibility are encouraged to schedule a consultation at Kugler Vision. The article makes it clear that affordability is not a barrier when the right information, resources, and support systems are in place. In today's economy, where every dollar counts, understanding the long-term impact of vision correction costs has never been more important. To read 'The True Cost of LASIK in Omaha' or to access Kugler Vision's LASIK affordability calculator, visit For interview requests, additional information, or expert commentary on the economics of laser vision correction, members of the media are invited to contact the Kugler Vision team directly.
