Tag Archives: allergies

In love and health: Dealing with spring allegeries

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By Dr. Erik Johnson
Love & Health Chiropractic

Baby’s immune system can benefit from chiropractic, too. (Supplied)

Spring has sprung — and for a lot of folks here in Michigan, that means spring allergies. Before making a run to the local pharmacy to stock up on OTC allergy relievers, consider the root cause. It really isn’t the pollen’s fault. The reason why your body reacts to pollens and other allergens is that your personal immune system isn’t working as well as it should.

What can you do to boost your immune system? Well, first of all, avoid sugar. Cutting out cookies, candy, and sweetened beverages isn’t enough. Processed foods contain a lot of hidden sugars. Surprisingly, food we think is good for us often has more sugar than is optimal. For example, one serving of Yoplait Original Strawberry Yogurt has 19 grams of sugar. That’s 10 more grams of sugar than are in a Famous Amos Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookie. To reduce the amount of sugar in your diet, read the nutrition information labels on the foods you buy.

Another reason your immune system may not be at its best is that you’re not drinking enough water. Dr. Jyothi Tirumalasetty, assistant professor of medicine at UCLA Health in the department of clinical immunology and allergy states, “Water is vital for the functioning of all of your organs, and it’s a huge part of keeping your immune system functioning at an optimal level. We are made of 60 percent water. If we are dehydrated, the whole system of immunity could start breaking down.”

Proper hydration, along with adequate nutrition and sleep, is an essential component of a healthy immune system. Try to drink half your body weight in ounces of water a day. And remember, caffeinated beverages drive water out of your system. So, if you drink a lot of coffee or Coke, you’ll need to drink even more water every day.

Making other healthy lifestyle changes can boost your immune system, as well. In fact, the Harvard Healthbeat says, “Following general good-health guidelines is the single best step you can take toward naturally keeping your immune system working properly. Every part of your body, including your immune system, functions better when protected from environmental assaults and bolstered by healthy-living strategies.” These strategies include dos like eating lots of fruits and veggies, exercising, and getting a good night’s sleep as well as don’ts — quit smoking, drink alcohol only in moderation, and minimize stress.

Another way to boost your immune system is with regular chiropractic adjustments. An aligned spine helps your brain communicate with all of your organs and body systems. We’ve seen patients’ allergy symptoms dwindle and even disappear. And we can help you tune up your immune system, too!

Allergies linked to heartburn meds

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Taking as few as six doses of heartburn medication each year may lead to an increased need for allergy medicine. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Serena Gordon, HealthDay


There are numerous drugs to treat digestive woes caused by heartburn or stomach ulcers. But solving one health problem may be causing another.


New research from Austria found that people who use drugs that suppress stomach acid were almost twice as likely to need drugs to control allergy symptoms.


And people over 60 who used these drugs were more than five times as likely to also need an allergy medication, the study reported.


“Many people have gastric (stomach) complaints and many people take anti-acid medicine. The longer the treatment with these medicines, the higher the risk of allergies,” said study senior author Dr. Erika Jensen-Jarolim, a clinical immunologist at the Medical University of Vienna.


How might these two conditions be connected?


Jensen-Jarolim said that, normally, the acidic environment in the stomach helps break down food-derived proteins that can cause allergies.


But if you take acid-suppressing drugs, the food you eat isn’t broken down into small enough pieces.


Intact allergens are sent to the intestine, where they can cause an allergic reaction and inflammation.


The implications from this study could be far-reaching.


According to the American College of Gastroenterology, more than 60 million Americans have had heartburn at least once in the past month.


Heartburn—gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD—occurs when stomach acid backs up into the esophagus (the tube connecting your throat and stomach), the American College of Gastroenterology said.


Symptoms include a feeling of burning behind the breastbone that can move up to the neck. Some people notice the bitter taste of bile in the back of the throat.


To treat this discomfort and pain, people often take acid-reducing medications. These include popular drugs called proton pump inhibitors, or PPIs.


Medications in this class include prescription and over-the-counter drugs like Prilosec (omeprazole), Prevacid (lansoprazole) and Nexium (esomeprazole).


Another class of medications is called H2 blockers. This class includes Tagamet HB (cimetidine), Pepcid (famotidine) and Zantac (ranitidine). There is also a medication called Carafate (sucralfate) that’s an aluminum compound.


All of these medications were linked to an increased use of allergy medications.


But there was a higher prevalence of allergy medication use after a sucralfate prescription, according to the study.


The study included prescription information from 97% of people in Austria. The data covered four years, from 2009 to 2013.


The researchers noted that as few as six doses of anti-acid medication each year were linked to an increased need for allergy medication. The risk of needing allergy medication rose with more frequent use of acid-reducing drugs.


Women and older people taking acid-reducing drugs were more likely to need allergy drugs.


Jensen-Jarolim said she hopes doctors will heed the study findings and prescribe acid-suppressing medications with care. She also hopes that consumers buying over-the-counter anti-acids will remember that these are medications and any medication can have side effects.


For those concerned about allergies, but who may still need acid-reducing drugs, she recommended taking these medications for the shortest time possible.


Dr. Elie Abemayor, chair of the division of gastroenterology at Northern Westchester Hospital in Mount Kisco, N.Y., reviewed the findings, and said it’s always important to weigh the benefits of a drug against the risk.


And while the findings were “concerning,” Abemayor said it’s important to recognize that this study is observational and cannot prove a cause-and-effect relationship.


“I would still take these drugs if I needed them. I don’t think this study will change the way they’re prescribed,” he said.


But he added that if you don’t really need the drugs for a long time, it’s a good idea only to take them as needed.


The findings were published recently in the journal Nature Communications.


Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.


Dining out with allergies is tough

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Although 170 foods have been reported to cause allergic reactions, there are eight common foods that cause allergies: milk, egg, peanut, tree nuts, wheat, soy, fish and shellfish. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Serena Gordon, HealthDay


When you have serious food allergies, eating at a restaurant can literally mean risking your life. But new research suggests you can take steps to protect yourself when dining out.


In fact, the more steps you take to protect yourself from exposure to the allergic substance, the less likely you are to have an allergic reaction, the study found.


The researchers asked 39 people with allergies (or their parents) about 25 behaviors people might do before eating out. Nineteen of those surveyed had experienced a food allergy reaction while dining at a restaurant.


“Overall, when you look at the results and the strategies that people used, people who had an allergic reaction [after eating out] used significantly less strategies compared to non-reactors. Non-reactors used an average of 15 strategies, reactors used an average of six,” said study author Dr. Justine Ade, a pediatric resident at University Hospitals’ Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital in Cleveland.


Up to 15 million people may have food allergies, according to the nonprofit organization FARE (Food Allergy and Research Education). Although 170 foods have been reported to cause allergic reactions, there are eight common foods that cause allergies in the United States: milk, egg, peanut, tree nuts, wheat, soy, fish and shellfish. FARE reports that sesame allergy is also a growing threat.


Eating food outside the home has been linked to numerous deaths in people with food allergies, according to the researchers.


Although the study didn’t evaluate how well any particular strategy worked, it did note how often people used individual strategies.

The top 5 strategies people use

  • Speaking to the waiter on arrival (80 percent)
  • Ordering food with simple ingredients (77 percent)
  • Double-checking food before eating (77 percent)
  • Avoiding restaurants with higher likelihood of contamination (74 percent)
  • Reviewing ingredients on a restaurant website (72 percent)

The strategies used least often

  • Placing food allergy order separately (23 percent)
  • Using a personal allergy card (26 percent)
  • No longer eating at restaurants (39 percent)
  • Choosing a chain restaurant (41 percent)
  • Going to a restaurant during off-peak hours (44 percent)

Ade said it may sound like a lot of work just to eat out, but “these are things that become second nature for some people, and it probably takes less than five minutes to do most of these things.”


People with food allergies aren’t the only ones who worry about what’s on their restaurant plate. Alice Bast, CEO of Beyond Celiac, a nonprofit health and awareness group, said that every time someone with celiac disease eats out, they play “gluten roulette.”


Celiac disease is a digestive disorder, and symptoms are triggered when someone with the disease eats gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley and rye.


“Dining out is one of the biggest challenges of living with celiac disease,” Bast said. “When you’re out of control of your food, it’s easy to feel anxious about the possibility of becoming sick. There are always risks when someone else is preparing your meal, especially if they don’t take it seriously, or if they are just unaware of how to take the appropriate precautions.”


Both experts said it’s important to be vigilant and take the steps that you can to make sure your food is as safe as it can be. In the case of food allergies, Ade said it’s important to carry an epinephrine injection pen every time you eat out.


Ade presented the findings at the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology annual meeting, in Seattle. Research presented at meetings is considered preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal.


Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.

Allergies and the elderly: What you need to know

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Courtesy Vista Springs Assisted Living

By Vista Springs Assisted Living


It’s allergy season. Say hello to congestion, itchy eyes, running nose and headaches. For adults, these symptoms are annoying. For many, they may be severe resulting in the need for prescription medication. For aging adults though, they can be serious.


While itchy, watery eyes may not seem like a serious problem, in the elderly, the symptoms that come with seasonal allergies can cause serious complications.


If you’re a caregiver to an aging loved one, you shouldn’t overlook allergies as a potentially serious ondition. As the pollen flies, here are some things to consider when it comes to allergies and the elderly.

Don’t ignore them

When allergy season rolls around, those who suffer from seasonal allergies start to moan and complain, roll their eyes and stock up on tissue. Many need prescription medication to find relief, but others can simply ignore them. For aging adults, ignoring the signs and symptoms of seasonal allergies can be dangerous.


While a stuffed up nose is inconvenient for the average adults, for seniors suffering from chronic issues such as a heart condition or respiratory problems, any disruptions in breathing can cause larger problems. So while a simple over the counter remedy may suffice for a middle-aged sufferer, for many aging adults, allergies should be treated aggressively.

They are often overlooked

Because older adults often have a myriad of conditions ranging from moderate to severe, allergies are typically not a concern and doctors may often overlook them as they work to diagnose more serious problems. As a caregiver to your loved one, make sure to tell their doctor if you’ve noticed symptoms of allergies. Even if they are mild enough to avoid treatment, it’s important for their doctor to be aware of any symptoms that might complicate current conditions.

Typical medications may not work

While many people reach for an antihistamine when their allergies act up, for an aging adult, this may not be the right choice. This medication can raise blood pressure, interact with other medications and cause severe side effects like a change in mood, urinary retention, dizziness and more. In the elderly, these side effects can have serious consequences. To avoid these issues, doctors may treat their allergies with a nasal steroid or topical medication.

Tips to avoid them

While there is no cure for allergies once they set in, there are things we can do to avoid the allergens that cause the sneezing and congestion we love so much. Since allergy symptoms can be so dangerous for older adults, avoiding them altogether is the best route, if possible. To avoid exposure to allergens, try:

  • Keep doors and windows closed
  • Use an air purifier
  • Try foods that fight inflammation like apples, walnuts, ginger, leafy greens and Vitamin C.
  • Be on the lookout for new treatments like antihistamine inhalers

Also, if you or your loved one is considering making the move to an assisted living facility and they suffer from allergies, make sure to ask about hypoallergenic assisted living. Hypoallergenic rooms, like the ones offered at Vista Springs Macedonia, remove 99% of harmful pollutants that cause dangerous allergies.


Want more tips on managing allergies for seniors? Check out our 6 great tips.


Reprinted with permission from Vista Springs Assisted Living.




6 ways for older adults to manage seasonal allergies

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Courtesy Vista Springs Assisted Living

By Vista Springs Assisted Living


Spring in the Midwest, with its growing greenery and flowers, is like a breath of fresh air after a long winter. Unfortunately for some, however, new growth means that the air is also full of pollen, setting off allergies in residents young and old. Whether you’ve suffered spring allergies your whole life, or if your symptoms have worsened as you got older, hafever can be serious for seniors. Here are 6 tips to manage your allergies when there’s pollen in the air.

1. Learn allergy symptoms

As we age, our immune systems tend to get weaker. For some people, this means that their allergy symptoms actually improve or disappear, as their bodies stop recognizing the pollen that enters their systems as a threat. For others, their allergy symptoms can remain unchanged or even worsen.


Learning what seasonal allergy symptoms look like is critical to managing them for yourself or for your loved ones. The main symptoms are:

  • Runny nose
  • Watery or itchy eyes
  • Sneezing
  • Coughing
  • Dark circles under the eyes

These symptoms may seem harmless enough, but they can cause extreme discomfort and complicate treatment of other conditions. Seniors living with dementia may be unable to communicate their discomfort, so you should always know the signs.

2. Avoid high pollen days

The amount of pollen in the air can vary from day to day, or even hour to hour, so plan your time outdoors to avoid especially high pollen counts. Many weather services report on the pollen count during the weather forecast in spring, and if it’s not broadcast, you can always find it online.


If you’re not near a television, computer, or smartphone, there are some basic guidelines for how high the pollen count will be: stay inside if the weather is warm and dry, or dry and windy. Pollen count is usually highest from 5am to 10am every day, then falls as the day goes on. The best time for people with spring allergies to be outside is after a heavy rainfall, when pollen is stuck to the ground by moisture. By staying indoors and minimizing your exposure to pollen, you can keep your symptoms manageable.

3. Wear the right clothes when you’re outside

Sometimes, staying inside is a tall order when the weather is beautiful, and getting fresh air, sun, and exercise is a good idea for people of all ages. When you do go outside, be sure you’re wearing clothing that can help you keep the pollen at bay. Sunglasses are a must to prevent pollen from getting in your eyes and irritating them. A hat, headscarf, or bandana keeps irritants out of your hair that can fall into your eyes and nose later, and long sleeves and pants allow for easy cleaning when you return indoors.


Even with proper attire, avoiding the outdoors during times when pollen levels are high is always going to be more effective than covering up, but if you can’t plan around it, be sure you’re protecting yourself when you go outside.

4. Keep your house pollen-free

It’s close to impossible to keep all allergens out of your home, especially if you’re always coming and going, but there are several strategies to keep your house as pollen-free as possible.


First, avoid opening windows, even though it may be tempting. If you get too warm, use fans or ideally, your air conditioner, as it can help remove pollen that may have gotten into your home. Second, wash your hands and shower often, especially when you come inside after being exposed to high pollen levels. Pollen on your skin and hair can easily fall off and circulate throughout your house. Third, after being outdoors, change your clothes immediately and put the clothes that have been exposed to pollen in the washing machine. This isolates all irritants, and the wash cycle will get rid of them so your clothes are ready for their next wear.

5. Eat immune-boosting foods

Foods that boost your immune system can help you manage your seasonal allergy symptoms, but none have been proven as a tried-and-true treatment for allergies. Try some of these foods in your springtime diet and see what works for you:

  • Apples:
    • Apples, as well as berries, garlic, onions, cabbage, and cauliflower contain quercetin, a bioflavonoid that can help prevent your body’s immune cells from releasing histamines, which causes allergy symptoms.
  • Strawberries:
    • The Vitamin C combined with the quercetin in strawberries make these sweet fruits a powerful immune booster that also suppress histamines.
  • Fatty Fish:
    • Omega-3 fatty acids are a great way to reduce inflammation, and therefore help keep allergic reactions from causing too much damage. Fatty fish such as salmon, tuna, trout, and mackerel are delicious sources of omega-3, which is also great for heart health and memory.
  • Yogurt:
    • Probiotics, such as the live bacteria found in yogurt, kefir, and fermented vegetables like sauerkraut and kimchi, are healthy for your digestive system and your immune system. Use caution, however, as dairy and the natural histamines in fermented foods could actually make your symptoms worse.

6. Talk to your doctor

As with all conditions, from allergies to illnesses, you should always consult your primary care doctor or another healthcare professional about the best approach to handling your health. The treatment most commonly used to treat allergies, antihistamines, are not recommended for seniors as they can interfere with other medications or have more severe side effects than in younger adults. A doctor will be able to determine the best way to manage or treat your allergy symptoms.


Suffering from seasonal allergies can put a rain cloud over the nice spring weather, but by knowing how to manage your symptoms, you can still make the most of the season. And if getting outside does more harm than good during spring? Don’t worry, summer promises better weather and lower pollen counts.


Reprinted with permission from Vista Springs Assisted Living.


Tips to help combat allergies as you age

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Courtesy Vista Springs Assisted Living

By Vista Springs Assisted Living


According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, allergies incur Americans up to $18 billion in medical expenses; they take up number six as a leading cause of chronic illnesses. The risk for allergies increases as you grow old and the problem is likely to go unrecognized. Unfortunately, changes to the immune system that occur as you age mean that your body’s response to inflammation from allergies is not as strong as it once was. The resulting effect is that you are likely to experience problems with allergies as seasons’ change, which is characterized by sneezing, a running nose and watery eyes.


Fortunately, there are precautions you can take to prevent allergies as you age, such as:

Indoor plants

While you may enjoy indoor gardening as a relaxing activity, avoid having any pollen producing plants indoors. If you must have plants within the house, water them occasionally to avoid mold from growing, which then creates mold pollen. Additionally, avoid using silk and other fake plants, as they are notorious dust collectors.

Invest in sunglasses

If you are likely to experience hay fever from wind-borne pollen, invest in a pair of quality sunglasses that wrap around your eyes to prevent as much pollen as possible from getting into your eyes. If you wear optical glasses, ask your eye doctor to give you prescription sunglasses to help you outdoors. Sunglasses will prevent the amount of pollen getting into your eyes, making you feel better.

Switch up your exercise routine

Avoid outdoor exercises in the morning; pollen count is highest before 10 o’clock. If you enjoy jogging or taking a walk, do it in the afternoon or later in the evening. Alternatively, choose a different exercise activity such as yoga, which allows you to work out in a controlled environment, with numerous other health benefits.

Run your air conditioner

Keep your filter clean and run your air conditioner instead of opening the windows, which lets in pollen and other allergens. The air conditioner reduces humidity within the house and serves as an alternative to fans, which end up blowing dust and pollen around the room, worsening the likelihood of you developing allergies.

While there are several precautions you can take to prevent or reduce the effects of allergies, you cannot avoid them entirely. If you notice any persistent irritation or inflammation, consult your doctor immediately. Conditions such as a congested nose can become critical fast, especially if you suffer from pre-existing cardiovascular or nasal conditions. Lastly, avoid traditional antihistamines as you can develop negative side effects or suffer from effects of mixing them with your other prescriptions.


Your health care needs change gradually as age, forcing you to take extra precautions to stay healthy. Avoid allergens as much as possible and consult your doctor if you notice any symptoms that may indicate an allergic reaction. Taking the right precautions allows you to enjoy the outdoors more regardless of the season.


Reprinted with permission from Vista Springs Assisted Living.



Don’t overlook OTC nasal sprays

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Over-the-counter nasal steroid sprays are generally the most effective type of allergy medicine, experts say. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Serena Gordon, HealthDay

 

Seasonal allergies make life miserable for millions of Americans.

 

So, in a bid to ease some of that discomfort, experts from two leading groups of allergists created a task force that has just issued new practice guidelines on the best ways to quell those bothersome symptoms.

 

The consensus? For most people, nasal steroid sprays are the way to go, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology and the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.

 

The sprays are easy to get—many are available over-the-counter. And, they’re relatively inexpensive.

 

For the OTC versions, a month of treatment is about $15 to $20. OTC brand names include Nasacort, Nasonex, Flonase and Rhinocort, while prescription brands include Beconase, Qnasl and Veramyst, according to the AAAAI.

 

But the biggest reason the experts are recommending nasal sprays is that they’re generally more effective than other types of allergy medicine for the initial treatment of seasonal allergies, according to the new guidelines.

 

Plus, they have relatively few side effects, according to Dr. Punita Ponda, associate chief of allergy and immunology at Northwell Health in Great Neck, N.Y.

 

Nasal sprays aren’t perfect, however.

 

“They can cause itching of the nose, dryness of the nose and nosebleeds,” Ponda said. But, she added, using the proper spray technique can help lessen these side effects. She suggested asking your doctor to show you how to use these devices.

 

Seasonal allergies are often called hay fever and they span the seasons. The Nemours Foundation reports that people can be allergic to one or more types of pollen or mold, and the type dictates when symptoms strike.

 

For example, in the Middle Atlantic states, tree pollen is the culprit from February through May, followed by grass pollens from May through June, and weed pollens from August through October. Mold spores, meanwhile, typically peak from midsummer through the fall, depending on where you live, according to the foundation.

 

The new guidelines recommend nasal steroid sprays as the initial treatment for people aged 12 and older instead of an oral antihistamine such as Benadryl, Zyrtec, Claritin and Allegra.

 

The task force didn’t find evidence of an improvement in results if oral antihistamines were added to treatment, and these drugs may cause sleepiness.

 

In people 15 and over, the task force recommends starting treatment with a nasal steroid spray instead of a leukotriene receptor antagonist (such as Singulair or Accolate). Again, the nasal spray appears to be more effective. Singulair and Accolate are prescription drugs, so cost depends on your insurance plan.

 

For people with moderate to severe seasonal allergies who are older than 12, the task force suggests adding an intranasal antihistamine to treatment with a nasal steroid inhaler. The additional medication provided additional benefit for those with more severe allergies, the task force said.

 

Ponda noted that the task force didn’t recommend intranasal steroids for kids under 12.

 

“It may be easier to give oral antihistamines than intranasal steroids to children, and there’s concern about possible growth suppression. Oral antihistamines were thought to be useful for this group,” she said.

 

Dr. Luz Fonacier, who directs the allergy training program at NYU Winthrop Hospital in Mineola, N.Y., also pointed out that the medications in “this guideline for initial treatment of mild seasonal (allergies) may be obtained OTC, and therefore may have been tried by the patient.”

 

She said that for people who aren’t helped by nasal steroids, oral antihistamines, nasal antihistamines and leukotriene receptor antagonists may lessen symptoms.

 

Ponda said if nasal steroids and additional drugs don’t control allergy symptoms well, or if someone just gets tired of having to use medications regularly, allergy shots are also an option.

 

“Allergy shots have been shown to be cost-effective compared to medications. Usually, you get one shot a week for six months, and then once a month for three to five years. It’s definitely a commitment, but it’s the only treatment that’s actually disease-modifying. Allergy shots actually make a person less allergic or non-allergic,” Ponda explained.

 

The new guidelines were published online in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

 

Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.

Climate change could change the sneezin’ season

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The increase in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere also causes ragweed to produce more pollen, so these plants are becoming more potent. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Serena Gordon, HealthDay

 

If you live in the north and you’ve never experienced hay fever, new research predicts that climate change has an unwelcome surprise in store for you.

 

Warmer temperatures in the northern United States will allow ragweed—the plant that triggers hay fever—to flourish in areas it’s never been before. About 35 years from now, the study predicts, ragweed will be found in New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont and upstate New York.

 

But the news isn’t all bad. Folks sneezing due to ragweed in the southern United States should get some relief as the temperatures get too warm for ragweed to grow well.

 

Ragweed will decline substantially in central Florida, northeastern Virginia and the southern Appalachian Mountains, according to the researchers.

 

“Ragweed is a major cause of allergies and asthma. Climate change will make some areas worse for ragweed, and some areas may get better,” said Michael Case, of The Nature Conservancy. He co-authored the study when he was a postdoctoral researcher at the school of environmental and forest sciences at the University of Washington in Seattle.

 

Ragweed is a native North American plant. It produces a lot of fine, powdery pollen from August to November. This pollen causes symptoms in people who are allergic to ragweed, including sneezing, watery eyes, itchy throat, runny nose and headaches, the researchers said.

 

Case and his co-author, Kristina Stinson, an assistant professor of plant ecology at UMass Amherst, created a model that included data on hundreds of areas with ragweed today, along with the conditions that allow ragweed to thrive.

 

The researchers then added information from 13 global climate-prediction models. These models were developed using two different pathways of potential greenhouse gas emissions.

 

When all of this information was combined, the new model predicted the northward creep of ragweed.

 

After that—from the 2050s to the 2070s—areas with ragweed may see a slight contraction. The researchers said this is because temperatures and precipitation may become more variable.

 

The study authors pointed out that their model was not designed to know if ragweed could become a problem as far north as Canada or further west in the United States because their model didn’t have information on those areas.

 

Marian Glenn, an emeritus professor in the department of biological sciences at Seton Hall University in South Orange, N.J., reviewed the findings.

 

“This is another example of plants that are migrating north as the climate warms. This is happening with viruses and diseases that are considered tropical, now that the agents that cause those diseases can survive through winter,” she said.

 

“The increase in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere also causes ragweed to produce more pollen, so these plants are becoming more potent,” Glenn explained.

 

And that means climate change will make ragweed season longer and more aggravating for allergy sufferers, she added.

 

Case agreed that ragweed season will probably last longer. And ragweed isn’t the only plant affected.

 

“Climate change is extending the growing season for everything,” he said. However, because ragweed is abundant, it made it possible to study that one particular plant.

 

Case said the study has practical implications. For example, weed control boards should now be aware that they might have to start monitoring for ragweed. And allergy sufferers and their doctors also need to be aware that ragweed may start becoming a problem in areas that haven’t seen it before.

 

The findings were published online recently in the journal PLOS One.