James Taylor to perform at Tanglewood this summer, see masslive.com/entertainment
Better Health
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TRAVEL: Luring people off their couches, D3 GARDENING THE COMMUNITY: Springfield-based organization plans annual plant sale, virtual gardeners’ gathering, D7
| SUNDAY, APRIL 18, 2021
Allergic rhinitis affects 25-30 percent of all Americans, is the most common disease of childhood and is responsible for 18 million missed days of school and work each year at an estimated cost of $11.2 billion dollars per year. - Dr. David M. Robertson, AIANE Allergist and Clinical Immunologist
On one of the first dates Heather R. Brinn, of Westfield, had with the man who is her now fiancé, she had her first severe asthma attack. It was her first spring in New England, and he took her on a hike at Mt. Tom.
AIANE, and the impacts to my daily life are now minimal.” According to Dr. Jonathan L. Bayuk, AIANE president, 9 percent of Massachusetts residents have asthma. “It is genetic as well as environmentally driven. It is an allergic disease as well,” he said, but there are many ways to treat it including avoidance of triggers, inhaled and oral medications, immunotherapy (allergy shots) and biologic medications. He specializes in allergy and immunology and is board certified in internal medicine. Among the immunological diseases he treats are immune deficiencies, allergic rhinitis, By Cori Urban asthma, allergic skin condiSPECIAL TO THE REPUBLICAN tions, vaccine medicine, mast “Trying to seem sporty and cell diseases, food allergies, fun, I did my best to hide the drug allergies, venom allerfact that I definitely couldn’t gies and sinus disease. breathe,” recalled the teachThe COVID-19 pandemic ing associate and doctoral has affected some people candidate at the University of with these conditions in that Massachusetts in Amherst. many have avoided care to “This was the beginning of a avoid close proximity to other long string of allergic reacpeople. “Severe asthmatics tions, asthma attacks and may have worse disease,” he many, many inhalers. But, added. hey, I still landed the guy!” Dr. David M. Robertson, an Brinn’s asthma and a susAIANE allergist and clinical tained allergic reaction to an immunologist, sees both adult unknown cause made her to and pediatric patients on a seek help from AIANE: Aller- daily basis. He is board certigy & Immunology Associates fied in allergy and immunolof New England, a full-service ogy, adult internal medicine allergy and immunology prac- and pediatrics. tice in Western Massachusetts The common medical that cares for all allergy and conditions he treats include immunological diseases inallergic rhinitis, asthma, cluding asthma, contact derallergic skin conditions, food matitis, food allergies, drug allergies, urticaria (hives), allergies, venom allergies and eczema/atopic dermatitis, immunodeficiency disorders. angioedema (swelling), “My asthma is most severe drug allergies and immune in cold temps and during sea- deficiencies while some of son changes, so my move to the least common include New England a few years ago eosinophilic esophagitis and set it into overdrive,” Brinn hereditary angioedema. Many allergy medicines said. “It’s managed thanks to
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are now available “over the counter, but matching the correct medicine to your symptoms can be confusing,” he cautioned those with undiagnosed allergies. “Unfortunately, a fair number of patients aren’t able to control their symptoms with medications alone. Your primary doctor may be able to make recommendations or prescribe medications to help. Seeing an allergist is probably the best way to determine what is causing your symptoms and come up with a definitive treatment plan, which
might involve allergy immunotherapy (allergy shots).” Symptoms vary from patient to patient, but often include sneezing, nasal congestion, itchy nose, post-nasal drip, itchy/watery/swollen eyes, itchy skin or eczema. “Environmental allergies can also cause asthma to flare for some patients or hives with skin contact,” he explained. Allergies and COVID-19 both can cause nasal congestion and post-nasal drip. “Allergies generally should not cause fever or chills. Allergies generally cause more itching
Dr. David Robertson is a board-certified allergist and immunologist at Allergy & Immunology Associates of New England. (DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN)
and sneezing,” he said, noting that The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warn that COVID-19 may cause a dry cough. “Allergies generally don’t cause a dry cough but can in someone with asthma.” Antihistamines (loratadine, cetirizine, fexofenadine) can help with sneezing and itching, whereas steroid nasal sprays can help with congestion and post-nasal drip, he advised. Allergies can affect one’s quality of life. “Allergic rhinitis affects 25-30 percent of all Americans, is the most common disease of childhood and is responsible for 18 million missed days of school and work each year at an estimated cost of $11.2 billion dollars per year,” Robertson said, adding that as many as 80 percent of children and 50 percent of adults with persistent asthma also have an allergic contribution to their symptoms. “On a personal level, aside from the significant discomfort associated with symptoms, uncontrolled allergies can also cause significant sleep disturbances, leading to daytime fatigue and trouble paying attention at both school and work,” he said. Asked about treatment for different types of allergies, Robertson pointed out that there are a few basic strategies to treat allergies of any kind: “First, identify the allergen and attempt to avoid it,” he said. This can be at least partially effective for indoor allergens like dust mites and pets but can be very difficult for outdoor allergens like pollen and outdoor mold. One of the few benefits of the global COVID-19 pandemic is that wearing masks
can actually reduce exposure and symptoms associated with outdoor allergens. “The second strategy is medications, which may be over-the-counter or prescribed. For patients with food allergies, epinephrine is the mainstay of medical therapy in case accidental ingestion occurs,” he said. The final option for patients with environmental allergies causing rhinitis, asthma or skin rashes is allergy immunotherapy, or allergy shots, where small amounts of allergens are introduced to the immune system in a controlled way on regular basis to get a person’s immune system used to their allergens; this is called reintroducing immune tolerance. “It can be very effective and is generally covered by insurance,” Robertson said, adding that injected immunotherapy is not available for foods, but one oral immunotherapy product was FDA approved for peanuts in 2020. AIANE has offices in Greenfield, Northampton, Springfield, Westfield and Wilbraham. It is affiliated with Baystate Medical Center, Baystate Franklin Medical Center, Baystate Noble Hospital, Baystate Wing Hospital, Cooley Dickinson Hospital and Mercy Medical Center. It has excellent working relationships with many of the region’s top hospitals, including Boston Medical Center and Boston Children’s Hospital, the staff ’s expertise allows them to successfully diagnose and treat the vast majority of their patients without the need for outside referrals. For more information, go to allergyimmunologydocs. com.
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D2 | SUNDAY, APRIL 18, 2021
THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM
COPING WITH
Double-burden syndrome
Dr. John Diggs checking on his patient Louis Tulik with an ophthalmoscope. (HOANG ‘LEON’ NGUYEN / THE REPUBLICAN)
Direct Primary Care
(DPC) has come to Springfield/Wilbraham Patients’ experiences within the healthcare/medical system are as varied as they are inevitable. From annual visits with a primary care physician to unexpected injuries or illnesses and general health related inquiries, patients often deal with several aspects of the medical system, which often can lead to frustrating interactions. To combat these frustrations, Dr. John Diggs says his practice, John Diggs MD, LLC in Wilbraham, offers services tailored to a patient’s individual needs with a new model of medical care known as Direct Primary Care (DPC). “We’re here to solve the most common problems and frustrations of dealing with the medical system,” says Dr. Diggs. Common complaints from patients include, but are not limited to, wait times to see a doctor, issues stemming from scheduling when trying to book an appointment and availability is months out, as well as rarely seeing their primary physician (and establishing a relationship) and instead working exclusively with a nurse practitioner or physician assistant, lists Dr. Diggs. In response, he says, at John Diggs MD, LLC, “your physical health is our priority. We respect your time, your individuality, and your contribution toward reaching your optimal health. No middleman.” Dr. Diggs explains that he teaches each patient about their condition, and what they can do to move toward optimal health. Additionally, he coordinates with specialists and explains their re-
ports. “You can be confident that your personal, highly experienced physician who knows you well, is always the person you will see when you arrive for your appointment,” says Dr. Diggs. Moreover, Dr. Diggs says he takes a different approach to COVID-19 with early at home treatment options and other recommendations. Adds Dr. Diggs, “We have studied the international literature and offer solutions to aggressively address COVID-19 before hospitalization is needed.” Dr. Diggs’ response to the
my office directly and feel known as individuals-- no call centers.” Furthermore, Dr. Diggs says he is committed to arranging appointments as soon as possible, and he is available directly to his patients by telephone and email. Finally, says Dr. Diggs, “All medical care performed on the premises, and all personal communications are covered by the one annual membership fee.” “To deliver this level of service,” concludes Dr. Diggs, “the total number of members must be limited-- call
“We have studied the international literature and offer solutions to aggressively address COVID-19 before hospitalization is needed.” pandemic not only extends to his treatment plans, but his office’s day-to-day operation as well. “We perform the highest level of sanitation, even cleaning the air between patients with specialized UV-C lanterns.” Unlike other offices, John Diggs MD, LLC does not take insurance, therefore there are never any hidden costs, delayed bills, or co-pays— but instead, an annual membership fee. Says Dr. Diggs, “This fast-growing membership model allows me to put my patients’ needs first. Appointments last from 30 to 90 minutes and happen on time. When my patients call for an appointment, they reach
us to join as a member and secure your place!” For more information, or to become a member and enjoy the benefits of Direct Primary Care medicine, visit www.JohnDiggsMD.com or call (413) 300-2233. Dr. John Diggs attended Haverford College before graduating from medical school in Buffalo, NY and completed his Internal Medicine training at Baystate Hospital in Springfield, MA. He is a diplomate of the American Board of Internal Medicine. Outside of medicine, Dr. Diggs enjoys cycling, and has competed on the national level in volleyball.
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Double-burden syndrome is a daily concern for many women and may have been exacerbated due to work-from-home directives and socialdistancing measures instituted during the COVID-19 pandemic.
household responsibilities COVID-19 has not made and childcare needs. the situation any easier. According to Women’s Web, a parenting and career resource · Scale back hours, if possible. If work is for women, the lockdown causing excessive stress, has quadrupled women’s motivation is dwindling workloads, whether they have and/or home needs are careers or not. In addition to suffering, this may be a case holding down full- or partfor decreasing work hours. time salaried jobs, women Fathers should consider this are juggling home schooling, as well, especially if they spouses’ remote working earn less than their spouses. and caring for a household that is spending an increased · Attempt to compartamount of time at home. mentalize professional A recent survey by Pink Ladlife from personal life, der, a comprehensive career especially when working enhancement resource for Double-burden syndrome from home. women, indicates that four in refers to the workload faced Definitive lines between 10 women are facing high levby people - traditionally wom- els of anxiety and stress from work time and home time en - who not only earn money through regular employment but also are responsible for unpaid domestic labor. Nowadays, it often refers to the challenges many women face when trying to balance household responsibilities/ childcare and employment. Traditional gender roles once accepted by society have become more relaxed in recent years, and by and large may need to be drawn. This both spouses now work. Stacurrent work-from-home may require not doing launtistics Canada says dual-insituations, as many women dry during work hours and come families have doubled have been expected to take on not answering work calls in the country between 1976 increased workloads from the during personal hours. and 2015. Data from the U.S. office and also tackle a greater Bureau of Labor Statistics number of chores at home. · Recognize there is indicates that among marCoping with double-burden no need to aspire to ried-couple families with perfection. children in 2019, 97.5 percent syndrome involves various strategies that women can Recognizing that perfechad at least one employed tion is an unattainable goal parent, and 64.2 percent had try as they attempt to find greater balance. because it doesn’t exist can both parents employed. diminish feelings of stress Despite the fact that both · Speak with managers and dejection. parents now work in many about changing shifts. households, there is still a disManagers may be receptive These strategies may help parity in the number of hours to switching shifts to make ease the effects of double-burcontributed to work around den syndrome. accommodations for the house - with women taking on a larger percentage.
Many women have been expected to take on increased workloads from the office and also tackle a greater number of chores at home.
Get Well. We Can Help. Mental Health | Addiction | Crisis Call today for more information or to schedule an appointment: 413-BHN-WORK (413-246-9675)
Direct Primary Care by Dr. John Diggs brings back the individualized relationship between you and your doctor. Your care will be personal, interactive, and of the highest quality. Your annual membership fee covers unlimited visits and in-office care. Dr. Diggs is your doctor at every appointment in our office. Dr. John Diggs has practiced medicine for decades, serving the Palmer/Monson/Wilbraham area. With a holistic approach to medical care, Dr. Diggs ensures you have time to address your concerns, understand your course of treatment, and feel confident your health is in good hands.
24-Hour Crisis Line: (413) 733-6661
www.bhninc.org 3149433-01
JohnDiggsMD.com • 413-300-2233 • 2030 Boston Road, Suite 2, Wilbraham, MA
Now offering BHNTeleCare: Connecting adults, children and families with counseling by phone or through a secure internet connection.