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

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!

Getting to Know Dr. Turkessa Walker

Host Liz Edwards introduces a special treat for our Georgia audience: Dr. Turkessa Walker! She works in our Middle Georgia locations and is a native of the Peach State.

Listen as Dr. Walker describes how she considered becoming an allergist in high school but took a bit of a detour into OB/GYN, only to end up circling back to allergy. She explains what she loves about allergy and the joy she gets from helping patients of all ages.

Dr. Walker specialized in both internal medicine and pediatrics at Tulane University in New Orleans, which is where she also taught herself to knit (though she's quick to admit that the weather in Louisiana didn't really warrant that first wool sweater). 

Learn more about Dr. Walker's hobbies, her love of the outdoors, and her confidence in getting seasonal allergic patients back to their favorite things. "I can change your life!"

It's Here: Ragweed!

Host Liz Edwards talks with Family Nurse Practitioner Kelsie Hannah about that dreaded fall weed: ragweed. Learn why ragweed and fall weeds in general can make you feel terrible as well as how changes in the weather can make even non-allergic people feel stuffy and fatigued. 

If you're struggling with sinus infections, asthma exacerbations, itchy eyes, or pesky coughs, ragweed might be the culprit, and, according to Kelsie, we can have anywhere from six to 10 weeks of it. So come see us now! We can help!

Stinging Insect Season

Did you know that stinging insects become more aggressive in the late summer and early fall? Dr. Phil Jones explains why now is the time to be aware of their habitat and activity. He also shares some tips on how to identify an allergic reaction to a sting. Most importantly, though, Dr. Jones tell us how venom immunotherapy can help you breathe easier outside despite all the buzz!

A Walk Through Skin Testing

Nurse Practitioner Brittany Harper and host Liz Edwards walk us through what to expect from a skin test!

From preparations before the test to the therapy after, Brittany and Liz cover all the details. Learn what happens at each step, how many allergens are tested for different age groups, how long the initial scratch test takes (usually only 60 seconds!), and what all of this tells our providers.

As Brittany says, "Patients love the outcome of allergy shots!" If you've ever wondered what those first steps to starting allergy shots are, this podcast's for you!

Summer Allergies

Dr. James Kidd at our Louisiana clinics discusses all things summer allergy with host Liz Edwards. 

Dr. Kidd describes when certain grass pollens are at their highest in Louisiana and why most people who have grass allergies in the South are probably already in a chronic phase of suffering.

Learn how exercising outdoors during these summer months can trigger a slew of exercise-induced symptoms: urticaria, asthma, even anaphylaxis. (Dr. Kidd shares insight on food-dependent, exercise-induced anaphylaxis, too, which is common among elite athletes.)

This podcast is packed with summer allergy tips about insect bites, bee stings, and heat-induced hives as well, so don't miss it!

Understanding Anaphylaxis

Host Kaylie Francis talks with Dr. Jane Conley about anaphylaxis. Learn what it is, how it happens, and what to do when it happens. Dr. Conley also answers some common questions about when and how to use epinephrine. 

Getting to Know Dr. James Kidd

Host Liz Edwards introduces us to Dr. James Kidd, an allergist at our Louisiana offices who is Baton Rouge born and raised!

Learn how Dr. Kidd became interested in medicine at an early age, why he chose allergy as his specialty, and what to expect during a first visit as a new patient. 

Getting to Know Dr. Ben Gaudin, II

Host Liz Edwards introduces listeners to Dr. Ben Gaudin with our Louisiana offices!

Dr. Gaudin comes from a family of LSU Tigers. He, his father, and all his siblings are LSU alumni. While they pursued careers in engineering, Dr. Gaudin chose the medical field, but he still finds many similarities between the two disciplines.

Learn what attracted Dr. Gaudin to the field of allergy specifically, why the specialty has always taken a view of involving the patient in making any medical decisions, and why he believes allergists can make a big impact on the quality of people's lives. We also get some insight into Dr. Gaudin's love of reading, theater/musicals, and "old school" puzzle solving in the daily newspaper.

 

Getting to Know Dr. Phil Jones

It's hard to separate Dr. Phil Jones from the specialty his been practicing for more than 20 years, which is why this "Getting to Know" episode is a bit Dr. Jones, a bit asthma and pulmonology and a lot allergy.

A native of the Tri-Cities in East Tennessee, Dr. Jones attend undergraduate and graduate school at the University of Alabama. He returned to Johnson City to serve the community he loves as both a pulmonologist and allergist.

Learn the differences between the two disciplines, how newly onset asthma can happen to adults (as old as 84!), why confirming a penicillin allergy is easy and necessary, how allergists offer a life-saving fix for stinging insect or bee allergies, and much more! Oh, and if you know anyone with an old barn who wouldn't mind Dr. Jones rummaging around....