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

Getting to Know Dr. Nicholas Cline

Let's get to know Dr. Nicholas Cline!

Dr. Cline completed his medical degree at Mercer University in Macon, Georgia, and his residency at the University of Tennessee School of Medicine in Knoxville. His love for the field of allergy and immunology was sparked during his allergy rotation. A long-term sufferer of allergies himself, Dr. Cline discovered not only his medical calling but also a diagnosis and lasting relief!

After UT, Dr. Cline moved to Cleveland, Ohio, where he completed his fellowship training at the acclaimed Cleveland Clinic. Working with more than 30 faculty in the specialty, Dr. Cline was able to experience and learn from a wide array of cases and clinical solutions. 

Listen as Dr. Nicholas Cline shares his intense commitment to helping patients understand their diagnoses and treatment plans, his lasting appreciation for his time at Cleveland Clinic, and his extensive knowledge of all things allergy – from Georgia to Ohio, through Kentucky to Tennessee.  

All Things Spring Allergies

Host Liz Edwards speaks with Dr. Poneh Heine about "all things" related to spring allergy season.

Georgia is already seeing lots of tree and grass pollen, starting this spring with a bang! Dr. Heine shares how you can navigate this season and upcoming ones as pollen counts continue to climb. (While medications can help, Dr. Heine explains why they're not a long-term solution, especially when the pollen count can exceed 8,000 per cubic meter!)

With skin testing and allergy shots, you can avoid the drowsy, drying side effects of allergy medications. Learn how immunotherapy can help your immune system keep from over-reacting to pollens and other allergens. Also, Dr. Heine shares how her daughter's allergic eye reactions led to oral allergy syndrome, causing mouth irritation whenever she ate apples or carrots.

You can avoid worsening inflammation, irritations like OAS, and infections. Listen to this episode to learn how.

Getting to Know NP Sharon Lever

We're excited to introduce one of our newest providers, Nurse Practitioner Sharon Lever!

After several years as a respiratory therapist in New Hampshire, Sharon went back to school to achieve her ultimate goal of becoming a nurse practitioner, focusing on pulmonology and then transitioning into the allergy field. 

Sharon is a certified asthma educator and a competitive trapshooter! She's also ready to explore all the area offers, including regional NASCAR tracks.

Listen to learn more about Nurse Practitioner Sharon Lever, her love of treating patients, and why we're excited to welcome her to our practice.

 

Why Count Pollen?

Our pollen counts have begun for 2025, but what's involved in counting the pollen and why should we care?

Dr. Laura Green talks with host Marcella Feathers about how the pollen count is gathered and why awareness of the day's count can be important for allergic and asthmatic folks.

From tree pollens traveling hundreds of miles to the tenacity of mold spores here in the South, listen as Dr. Green provides insight into our ever-worsening pollen seasons and possible solutions for seasonal and year-round sufferers. (Sign up for weekday pollen counts here.)

New to Middle Tennessee? Be prepared for spring!

Host Liz Edwards and Dr. Michael Norvell jump right into spring allergies! Did you know that in Middle Tennessee, tree pollen starts to show in late February, sometimes even sooner? Now is the time to be prepared.

Dr. Norvell offers tips for when over-the-counter medications aren't helping or when you're not sure what's causing your symptoms. In either situation, he urges patients to err on the side of caution. The sooner you know, the sooner you can feel better. 

Dr. Norvell shares insight on skin testing, easing fears for any needle-phobic patients, and how allergy shots are different from the often confused steroid shots, too. 

He also explains when patients can expect relief if new to immunotherapy and how this "modification" of the immune system is customized to each patient's specific need.

Learn how to be prepared this spring, whether new to the Nashville/Middle Tennessee area or a native, by listening to this episode of Let's Clear the Air!

A Special Valentine's Day Guest!

Host Liz Edwards welcomes Sung Poblete, PhD, RN and CEO of FARE, for our special Valentine's Day edition!

Dr. Poblete and the Food Allergy Research & Education organization are valuable resources for anyone who is food allergic or knows someone who is, and with more than 33 million food-allergic people in the United States, that covers most of us! Dr. Poblete shares the importance of FARE's initiatives to promote health and health equity as they work to find a cure and better treatment therapies for people with food allergies. Dr. Poblete also makes an important distinction between food and food allergies: food is NOT the enemy, the disease is. 

Listen as Dr. Poblete and Liz discuss the staggering statistics of food allergy reactions in schools and how easy and important it is to provide non-food holiday items that everyone can enjoy. 

For more information about FARE and for their many resources, including the Emergency Care Plan and the Toolkit for Food Allergies in the Classroom mentioned in this podcast, visit FoodAllergy.org. 

 

The Holidays and Tree Nuts

Dr. Phil Jones helps us unwrap the trappings of holiday foods for food allergic patients, specifically those who are allergic to tree nuts.

Hazelnuts, walnuts, pistachios...all the nutty flavors added to our favorite holiday helpings can cause pollen-food allergy syndrome for people allergic to certain tree pollens as well as life-threatening symptoms for food-allergic patients. Dr. Jones shares how various food testing strategies can better identify these allergies and how you can be prepared for possible exposure. He also introduces us to the newest alternative to needle epinephrine: Neffy.

 

Fixing Fall Allergies

Dr. Jeana Bush talks with host Liz Edwards about the whirlwind of fall allergies this season. 

What's brewing? According to Dr. Bush, it's the heat allowing spring tree and grass pollens to continue to disperse as well as the sprouting of fall's ragweed. And as a result of Hurricane Helene, all of the southeast is experiencing atmospheric changes and mold. 

For any allergic symptom, whether it's itchy eyes, runny nose, coughing, or sneezing, Dr. Bush emphasizes how patients visit us wanting to "fix" the problem. This fix starts with a good patient history and testing, so that you know what's causing your symptoms! Then Dr. Bush presents her recommendations, but she acknowledges that it's a shared decision, one that usually involves immunotherapy.

For improved symptoms, fewer medications, improved lung function, and fewer infections, patients are often surprised by how much better they feel on allergy shots. They're not a drug or steroids, but they do facilitate a natural process. Listen to learn more how you can reeducate your immune system and fix the problem of fall allergies. 

Getting to Know Dr. Jeana Bush

Host Liz Edwards introduces us to Dr. Jeana Bush, one of our board-certified allergists serving Georgia!

Dr. Bush knew she wanted to be a doctor from an early age. Stories of her grandfather as the only physician in his area instilled in her a great respect and curiosity for the field. Finding her specialty in allergy and immunology was helped by an allergist she rotated with in Charlotte. 

Dr. Bush’s excitement in having “lightbulb” moments with patients, knowing that she can solve health issues they’ve struggled with, is palpable. Learn more about her love for helping patients of all ages – and her love of the Bulldogs and the Braves!

Fall Allergies in Georgia

Host Liz Edwards talks with Dr. Turkessa Walker about fall allergies in Georgia.

Despite the high temperatures, Georgia is experiencing some strong hints of fall, including an increase in weed and mold pollens. Dr. Walker explains more about both of the "big windows" (spring and fall) for high pollen exposure and worsening allergic symptoms. She also explains what you can expect during your first visit with an allergist. Learn how Dr. Walker can help you find the cause of your itchy eyes, stuffy nose, or asthmatic flares, and let her develop a treatment plan that's perfect for you!