Blog Archive
The COVID-19 pandemic has triggered dramatic changes throughout everyday life — and in the medical community as well. Not only are providers across the country postponing elective procedures, but many are also encouraging people to avoid in-office appointments to reduce their risk of exposure to this highly contagious coronavirus.But what...
Santa Monica, CA- It’s not uncommon for patients to take their unwanted medication and, with good intentions, give it to a family member or friend complaining of similar symptoms who has not yet seen a physician and failed to be evaluated. Controlled substances pose additional safety hazards. While young exploring children...
Santa Monica, CA – Holidays and stress go together like hot chocolate and marshmallows. But what if you could reduce the overall stress that comes with the holidays? Maybe you could also cut down your allergy and asthma symptoms. “Studies show stress can cause a number of negative health effects, including...
Santa Monica, CA – If you’re wondering what to get the loved ones in your life for the holidays, consider the gift of health – or at least the offer of relief from allergy and asthma symptoms. “The holidays can be tough to navigate for those with allergies and asthma,”...
Santa Monica, CA- You may think you can’t tell the difference between the symptoms caused by spring, summer and fall allergies. They all usually involve sneezing, sniffling, itchy eyes and a runny nose. And while symptoms for each allergy season may be similar, the treatment can look very different, particularly...
Santa Monica, CA- Prepping your yard this fall can give you a head start on spring landscaping, but it can also mean suffering from seasonal allergies. Ragweed pollen and lingering mold can create double the symptoms for some allergy sufferers. “The daunting task of yard work can be favorable...
Santa Monica, CA - Holiday decorations are starting to appear, reminding us that Hanukkah, Kwanza and Christmas will soon be upon us. While some people fling open their arms and welcome the merriment, those with allergies and asthma sometimes hide under the covers and ride out the tide until it’s...
Santa Monica, CA- For some families, Halloween means being on guard for food allergy triggers like peanuts in tiny candy bars. Some fun-sized bars contain no labels to alert you to allergens, so parents must be on the lookout. The ingredients can change depending on the size, so while a...
Santa Monica, CA- Many of us will be celebrating the upcoming holiday season differently this year due to the Coronavirus. This might mean smaller, more intimate Halloween celebrations. But while you get into the holiday spirit, you may still want to have allergy-friendly Halloween candy on hand. These sweet treats...
Santa Monica, CA- In the United States, flu season occurs in the fall and winter. While influenza viruses circulate year-round, most of the time flu activity peaks between December and February. Therefore, Dr. Bernard Geller & physician assistant, Dora Afrahim recommend getting getting the flu vaccine in September and...
Santa Monica, CA- If you have a teenager in the house, long gone are the days when they started planning their Halloween costumes on the first day of school. But that doesn’t mean they don’t want to have a good time when Halloween rolls around. And that’s also true for...
Santa Monica, CA- Between dodging vampires in haunted houses and listening to tales of terror, Halloween can be a scary time of make-believe. But for the four percent of children with food allergies, Halloween can be a real, horrifying experience. Holiday treats can have many hidden allergens in them,...
Santa Monica, CA- You heard all about the “worst allergy season ever.” You know the “pollen tsunami” swept through and left everyone sneezing and wheezing in its wake. But you want to know why the end of summer is almost here and you’re still miserable. “Although spring, summer and...
Santa Monica, CA- School supplies? Check. New shoes? Check. Allergies and asthma under control? Let’s go over the list one more time to make sure you and your child are ready for the school year, even if that means in home-schooling this year. “Keeping allergies and asthma under control...
Santa Monica, CA- It may seem as though every fall your allergies get the best of you rather than you coming out on top. Sneezing, wheezing, runny noses and itchy eyes can leave you feeling run down and defeated. “If it feels as though your allergy symptoms flare up...
Santa Monica, CA – Many allergists never thought we would see a treatment for peanut allergies. Previously, the only recommendation for peanut allergies was carrying epinephrine injector pen and strict avoidance, which in some cases still could lead to serious or even life-threatening allergic reactions with inadvertent food exposures. Now, Dr....
Santa Monica, CA- Before you shrug off your sneezing and runny nose to a summer cold, you may want to think twice. Even though it’s only August, hay fever season is here, causing misery for 15 percent of American adults and children. According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma...
Santa Monica, CA- With temperatures in the 80s, no one wants a runny nose and non-stop sneezing to put a damper on vacation plans and outdoor festivals. While many blame their symptoms on a summer cold, it could be something much more. “Many people think of spring and fall...
Santa Monica, CA- If red, white and blue equals hives, tissues and shortness of breath due to asthma, your Fourth of July celebration isn’t headed in the right direction. Independence Day and other summer celebrations should be filled with barbecues, flags and fun, not allergy and asthma triggers. “Summer is...
Santa Monica, CA- You hear the words, “fall allergies” and “ragweed season” and you want to run as fast as possible in the other direction. You’d rather the thoughts of itchy eyes, sneezing and sniffling didn’t intrude on summer picnics and lounging by the pool. “Thinking ahead to when fall...
Santa Monica, CA – The idea of summer camp looms large for many kids who wonder: Will I make any friends? What if I get lost in the woods? And for campers with allergies and asthma, “What if I have an allergic reaction or an asthma attack?” “When kids head off...
Santa Monica, CA- It can be nerve-wracking, as well as exhilarating for kids to go to summer camp for the first time. Anxieties may be greater for children with allergies and asthma who fear an allergic reaction or asthma attack. A little planning goes a long way towards making them...
Santa Monica, CA- The biggest worry for some kids as they head off to summer camp is whether their IPad will get a connection in the North Woods. Others have far graver concerns, including nasal allergies, asthma and food allergies. Parents of kids with these conditions have to do homework...
Santa Monica, CA- Lots of people view the coming of spring as an opportunity to clean out winter’s cobwebs and freshen up their home. It’s also a chance to get rid of allergens that have been settling in over the winter and help ease your spring allergy and asthma symptoms....
Santa Monica, CA- It’s deja vu all over again as you turn on the evening news and hear, “It’s the worst pollen season ever!” You think, “Haven’t I heard this before?” But what you really want to know is how the pollen season will affect your allergy symptoms, and what...
Santa Monica, CA- As we currently face the community spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19), now is a great time to take advantage of our new video visit offering before being seen in-person. We are using telehealth to conduct a patient’s first visit to determine if in-office testing is needed. Telemedicine can also be...
Santa Monica, CA- Spring cleaning can be more than a daunting chore for those with allergies and asthma. Dust, pet hair and cleaning supplies can leave you reaching for the tissues instead of the broom. But according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI), spring cleaning...
Santa Monica, CA – May is Asthma and Allergy Awareness month, and the first thing you need to know is that getting your asthma under control, while challenging, isn’t as hard as you may think. Asthma prevalence in the United States is at an all-time high, with 26 million people...
Santa Monica, CA- Now more than ever people are turning towards telemedicine to gain access to health care without leaving their homes. Our office is continuing to see new consults and existing patients over videoconference or telephone. We recognize many of our patients have conditions such as asthma or...
Santa Monica, CA- *Individuals with 3 or more "points", please get tested! I am aware that it may be challenging to find a testing facility during this time. Contact your primary care provider, urgent care, or local emergency room for more information for local testing centers. Additionally, please contact your...
Santa Monica, CA- People who are at higher risk of getting very sick from this illness includes: Older adults (65+) Individuals with compromised immune systems Cancer Patients: active chemotherapy or radiation Patients on immunosuprressant medications (steriod drugs, some biologic drugs) Individuals who have serious congenital or aquired chronic medical conditions like:...
Santa Monica, CA- There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19 (at this time). The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6...
Santa Monica, CA – While many people eagerly anticipate spring to see the last of cold weather and snow drifts, others dread the sneezing, wheezing, itchy eyes and coughing spring allergies bring. They understand the arrival of pollen – whether counts are high or low - means the onset of...
Santa Monica, CA- You want your wedding day to be memorable for all the right reasons. While selecting the color scheme and writing your vows, don't forget another important consideration: allergies. The last thing you want is a series of "achoos" to interrupt your "I do's," or worse, send...
Santa Monica, CA – Want to say “I love you” this Valentine’s Day but you’re just not sure how? Show your valentine you can creatively keep their allergies and asthma in mind while filling the day with affection. “Chocolates and flowers definitely do the trick on Valentine’s Day, but you can...
Santa Monica, CA- Throughout the Midwest and other parts of the country where cold weather traditionally reigns in February and March, residents are thrilled when there are warm winter temperatures. But those who suffer with seasonal allergies know they may be in for a bumpy spring allergy season. ...
Santa Monica, CA– Got Valentine’s Day covered this year? Remember to steer clear of anything that might cause your sweetheart to break out in hives, or worse yet, have a severe allergic reaction. “Chocolates and flowers are lovely, but not if they cause an allergic response” says allergist Dr. Bernard Geller,...
Santa Monica, CA – The spring allergy season could be the worst yet, or at least that is what you might hear. Every year is identified as being the worst for allergy sufferers, but are spring allergies really on the rise? “There are many events that can help predict how...
Santa Monica, CA If you suffer from allergies or asthma, a few tweaks to your routine – some big, some small – could make a difference in dialing down the wheezing, sneezing and allergic reactions in the New Year. “People convince themselves that changes for better health are either...
Santa Monica, CA– The end of the year can arrive with guilt-laden reminders to make resolutions to improve your health. If you suffer from allergies or asthma, you don’t have to overhaul your entire health plan to see some solid results. A few simple tweaks could make a big difference...