Noah Greenspan, DPT, PT, CCS, EMT-B

Spring Allergy Tips Clinicians Can Share with Patients, with Noah Greenspan, DPT, PT

spoke with Noah Greenspan, DPT, PT, CCS, EMT-B, a board-certified clinical specialist in cardiovascular and pulmonary physical therapy, on spring 2025 allergy predictions and tips.

Greenspan, the program director of the Pulmonary Wellness & Rehabilitation Center, provided tips not only for the general population with spring allergies but among patients with respiratory conditions, such as asthma, COPD, or post-viral syndromes like long COVID. At the center, he had worked 5 years with patients suffering from long-COVID and has expertise in how this immunocompromised group should be better prepared during allergy season.

allergists at the 2025 American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology (AAAAI) annual meeting

 from February 28 – March 3, Greenspan addressed the lengthening of pollen seasons, exacerbated by climate change. He predicts that this spring allergy season will be longer and more severe.

The general population with allergies may experience a stuffy or runny nose, itchy eyes or throat, mucus production, and sneezing, but the pulmonary population may experience symptoms such as narrowing of the airways, broncho constriction, or bronchospasm.

Greenspan touched on the intersection between seasonal allergies and chronic respiratory conditions. In the general population, airways produce mucus that protects the inflammatory system, so even if debris goes into your face, mucus catches it before it can go into the lungs.

“When we talk about allergies, and when we talk about hypersensitivity in asthma and COPD, we're really talking about the system going into overdrive,” Greenspan said. “It's not just protective—it's hypervigilant—and so things that might [normally trigger someone who doesn't have allergies or doesn't have a respiratory condition might trigger somebody, and it might increase their symptoms.”

As for patients with long COVID who have seasonal allergies, many report shortness of breath or chest pressure. However, their chest x-rays and cardiac tests often look normal. He said many people with long COVID are susceptible to over-stimulation.

Greenspan said cognitive or emotional physical exertion from pollen can lead to over-stimulation.

“You never quite know what's going to be the last piece of the Jenga that's going to tip the boat and cause somebody to have a flare,” Greenspan said. “But, in all of these cases, the best strategy is really prevention.”

Greenspan has no relevant reported disclosures.

Nyenhuis, S, Mahdavinia, M, Commins, S, et al. How Climate Change is Making Allergies Worse—And What Clinicians Can Do. HCPLive. March 20, 2025. 

https://www.hcplive.com/view/how-climate-change-is-making-allergies-worse-and-what-clinicians-can-do

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Greenspan offers tips in treating seasonal allergies in patients with pulmonary conditions, such as long-COVID, and provides his 2025 spring allergy prediction.

Noah Greenspan, DPT, PT, CCS, EMT-B

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