Spring Sniffles or Something Sinister? Doctor Helps Explain Allergies vs. Flu in Nashville
Sneezing your way through spring in Nashville? Dr. Efrat LaMandre explains if it’s allergies or the flu in this helpful interview. 🌐 #News #NashvilleTN #Tennessee #Health
NASHVILLE, TN — As the frost of winter in Nashville, Tennessee melts away, a new menace emerges in the vibrant bloom of spring. The air fills with invisible foes—pollen particles that wage war on your sinuses or, worse, a lurking flu virus ready to knock you flat. With every sneeze and cough, a pressing question haunts millions across the country: Is this just a seasonal irritation or a full-blown illness? Fear not—expert insights are here to decode the chaos and arm you with strategies to conquer the season.
Decoding Symptoms: Allergies or Flu?
Navigating the maze of springtime ailments can feel like a high-stakes guessing game. Both allergies and the flu unleash a torrent of misery—sneezing, congestion, and fatigue—but subtle clues can point you to the true culprit.
“Allergies and the flu share symptoms, but key differences include fever and body aches (flu) versus itchy eyes and long-lasting congestion (allergies),” explains Dr. Efrat LaMandre, PhD, FNP-C, a New York-based medical expert and TikTok sensation known as “Dr. E, the NP with the PhD.”
If you’re battling chills and muscle soreness that leave you bedridden, a viral invader like the flu is likely to blame. But if your days are plagued by relentless tissue-grabbing and eyes that itch like they’re under attack, pollen is probably the perpetrator.
Why Spring Turns into Sneeze Season
The arrival of spring transforms the air into a pollen-charged battlefield. Trees, grasses, and flowers unleash their microscopic grains, triggering a cascade of discomfort for countless sufferers.
“Pollen counts skyrocket in the spring, triggering sneezing, congestion, and itchy eyes for millions,” says LaMandre. Shockingly, even those who’ve never battled allergies can find themselves ambushed by symptoms at any age, as the body’s defenses suddenly turn traitor.
Battling Back: Proven Allergy Relief Strategies
Don’t let spring’s pollen onslaught ruin your days. LaMandre offers battle-tested tactics to keep symptoms at bay.
“Take antihistamines before peak pollen season, keep windows closed, shower after outdoor activities, and use an air purifier indoors,” she advises. These proactive steps can fortify your defenses before the season hits its stride.
Your diet can also be a secret weapon.
“Eating foods rich in quercetin (apples, onions, berries) and omega-3s (flaxseeds, walnuts, salmon) can help calm inflammation and reduce histamine release,” LaMandre reveals. These natural allies work behind the scenes to tame your body’s overzealous reactions.
When to Call in the Experts
Sometimes, even the best defenses falter. If your symptoms morph into a relentless siege—lasting beyond two weeks, disrupting your life, or sparking sinus infections or asthma flare-ups—it’s time to seek reinforcements.
“If your symptoms last longer than two weeks, interfere with daily life, or lead to sinus infections or asthma flares, it’s time for prescription treatments or allergy testing,” LaMandre urges. A doctor can unlock targeted solutions to restore your peace.
Spring doesn’t have to be a season of suffering. Armed with knowledge and expert strategies, you can face the pollen storm—or outsmart the flu—with confidence.
As a thank you for reading this article, enjoy 25% off our new Feel Good Stories eBook. Do you have an uplifting story or fascinating news tip? Email us! news@jackandkitty.com.
RELATED TOPICS: Health and Wellness | Lifestyle | Tennessee
Sign Up for Our Newsletter
Your opinion matters! Leave a comment below and join the discussion. We love hearing from you!
