One-fifth of the Swiss population suffers from hay fever. Left untreated, pollen allergy can have far-reaching health consequences. In addition to lifestyle, research also focuses on climate changes and pollutants as a cause of increased sensitivity. Daniela Lager runs the show.
Pollen allergy – from cold to asthma
Hay fever should not be taken lightly. If left untreated, there is a risk that the body will react allergic to more and more substances or that allergic asthma may develop. On the other hand, prompt treatment relieves symptoms and prevents complications.
Cross-sectional study – How hay fever affects health
Pollen causes more than just sneezing, watery eyes and sore throats. Those affected know that on days when stress is high, one can feel really ill. But research still knows surprisingly little about how pollen affects health in a broader sense, such as the heart, lungs, and brain. The Epochal Study was launched at the Swiss Tropical Institute to investigate the potential harmful effects of pollen. The researchers want to show the principle of the dose effect.
Climate change – If the environment changes, so will pollen
More and more people are experiencing increasingly severe symptoms of hay fever. Research teams from Switzerland and Germany suspect climate change is to blame, among other things, because global warming and higher temperatures affect pollen counts. Research has shown that not only is the pollen season getting longer, but the overall pollen concentration has increased over the past few decades. In addition, pollen is likely to become more aggressive to humans due to air pollution.
Pulse Chat – Frequently Asked Questions on Pollen Allergy
Is hay fever curable? What is the best treatment for hay fever? Why don’t I have pollen allergies to the same degree every year? When is an allergy test useful? The expert group provides advice on Mondays from 9:00 pm to 11:00 pm – live in chat. Questions can be submitted in advance.
“Integrated impulses” – what helps against hay fever in everyday life
Small but very annoying. There is only one thing for allergy sufferers: avoid pollen as much as possible. “Puls Compact” provides advice on how to avoid pollen sufferers in everyday life as much as possible.
Broadcast: Monday, March 20, 2023, at 9:05 p.m., SRF 1
