It Takes Guts: To Avoid Season Allergies?

Jackie Kaufman • June 29, 2022

Sneezing, runny nose, itchy throat, red eyes. If you've been a sufferer of seasonal allergies like me, you may have experienced one, or more, of these symptoms. Seasonal allergies, also known as allergic rhinitis or hay fever, are your body's overreaction to environmental stimulants such as mold spores and pollen1. Your body will produce and send chemicals such as histamine to ward off "invaders," thus causing the symptoms of sneezing, runny nose, itchy throat, etc1.

More research in the nutrition world is discovering that our immunity, emotions, and the development of certain diseases are all linked to our gut2. Though the gut makes up the stomach and small intestine, the primary microbiome, or collection of bacteria, is found within the large intestine3. The question remains: are seasonal allergies linked to the gut, as well?

Simply, yes. Nutrition can not only influence your reaction to seasonal allergies, but it can also help to prevent or lessen their severity. Certain foods, in particular, can help to grow and diversify bacteria in your large intestine, thereby improving immune response. Why is that important? In a 2021 study, it was found that adults with allergic rhinitis have a less diverse bacterial collection in their gut compared to a control group4. That is, having different types of healthy bacteria is more important than simply having healthy gut bacteria. Furthermore, the gut can "communicate" with the lungs via the lung-gut axis, which plays a role in health and disease5. Therefore, impacting your gut bacteria can cause positive or negative effects on your lung and respiratory health and vice versa with your gastrointestinal health.

How can you grow and diversify your gut bacteria to help improve your immunity and potentially improve seasonal allergies? Through your diet! Bacteria, like us, need to eat to survive. By giving the bacteria a good source of food, they will flourish. Here are ways to improve and diversify the gut bacteria through diet:

Prebiotics are foods that get broken down in the small and large intestine to be used as fuel for bacteria.

Examples: Fruits and vegetables: Getting a variety of different fruits and vegetables will provide food for different bacteria within your gut to grow.

Probiotics are live microorganisms, typically bacteria.

Examples: yogurt, sauerkraut (raw), kefir, kombucha, fermented foods.

Fiber is an indigestible carbohydrate that is broken down in the large intestine.

Examples include whole grains, whole fruits (including the outermost layer/skin/peel), whole vegetables (including the outermost layer/skin/peel), nuts, seeds, beans, legumes, and seeds.

Polyphenols are plant compounds that act as antioxidants.

Examples: Dark Chocolate and cocoa, Red (dry) Wine, Grapes, Green Tea, Almonds, Blueberries, Onions, Broccoli.

Please keep in mind that nutrition is just one part of treating and preventing seasonal allergies, and if you experience severe allergies, please speak with your doctor about treatment options. For more nutrition information, contact Pomerene Hospital Dietitian, Jackie Kaufman, at 330-674-1584, ext. 1090.

Sources:

1.) Yale Medicine. (2019, November 20). Seasonal allergies (allergic rhinitis). Yale Medicine. Retrieved June 13, 2022, from https://www.yalemedicine.org/conditions/seasonal-allergies2.)

Robertson, R. (2021, August 4). 9 ways to improve your gut bacteria, based on science. Healthline. Retrieved June 13, 2022, from https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/improve-gut-bacteria#TOC_TITLE_HDR_113.)

Gorbach, S. L. (n.d.). Medical Microbiology , 4th Edition - NCBI Bookshelf. Chapter 95 Microbiology of the Gastrointestinal Tract. Retrieved June 13, 2022, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK7627/4.)

Watts, A. M., West, N. P., Zhang, P., Smith, P. K., Cripps, A. W., & Cox, A. J. (2020, September 24). The gut microbiome of adults with allergic rhinitis is characterised by reduced diversity and an altered abundance of key microbial taxa compared to controls. International Archives of Allergy and Immunology. Retrieved June 13, 2022, from https://www.karger.com/Article/FullText/5105365.)

Enaud, R., Prevel, R., Ciarlo, E., Beaufils, F., Wieërs, G., Guery, B., & Delhaes, L. (2020, February 19). The gut-lung axis in health and respiratory diseases: A place for Inter-organ and inter-kingdom crosstalks. Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology. Retrieved June 13, 2022, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7042389/

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17th Annual Pomerene Auxiliary Christmas

October 5, 2026

Pomerene Auxiliary presents the 16th Annual Christmas Festival

Pomerene Receives Federal Funding to Advance Local Care

October 1, 2026

Community hospitals play an important role in the places they serve. They care for neighbors, provide jobs, support local families, and make it possible for people to get many of the healthcare services they need right here in their own community. At Pomerene, that responsibility also means looking for opportunities to bring new resources into Holmes County. Pomerene Hospital has been selected to receive federal funding through the Rural Hospital Provider Assistance Program, a program created to support healthcare services in rural communities. Supporting Rural Healthcare Rural hospitals face challenges that larger health systems may experience differently. Recruiting and keeping healthcare workers can be difficult. Costs continue to rise. Hospitals must also serve people who may live many miles from the care they need. At the same time, these hospitals are an important part of everyday life in their communities. They provide care when someone is sick or injured, help people manage their health, and connect patients with additional care when it is needed. The Rural Hospital Provider Assistance Program helps hospitals continue that work. In 2026, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services awarded nearly $25 million to 132 hospitals across 13 states through the program. For Pomerene, receiving this funding means bringing additional resources into Holmes County and putting them to work for the people who live here. “We are always looking for ways to bring resources back to our community and use them where they can make the greatest difference,” said Anne Gunther, CEO of Pomerene Hospital. “We are grateful for this support and for the opportunity to put these funds to work for the people we serve.”

Dr. Stjernholm Joins Pomerene Surgical Services Full Time

September 29, 2026

Pomerene Hospital is expanding its general surgery services with Dr. Rick Stjernholm joining Pomerene Surgical Services full-time alongside Dr. Michael T. Schell. Dr. Stjernholm is already a familiar face at Pomerene. Now, as a full-time member of Pomerene Surgical Services, he and Dr. Schell will provide surgical care for a wide range of conditions and needs. For patients, that means greater access to general surgery through a team they can turn to for procedures ranging from hernia repair and gallbladder removal to colon and breast surgery. General Surgery for a Wide Range of Needs General surgery covers many different procedures. Some are planned after a condition has been diagnosed by your primary care provider. Others may be needed following a visit to the emergency room. Dr. Stjernholm and Dr. Schell provide services including, but not limited to: Breast biopsies and surgery Minimally invasive surgery for: Abdominal wall hernias Bilateral inguinal hernias Colon resections Colostomies Small bowel resections Biopsies Gallbladder surgery Appendectomies Your surgeon will review your condition, talk with you about your options and explain what to expect if surgery is recommended. Minimally Invasive Options When Appropriate Some surgeries can be performed using laparoscopic or other minimally invasive techniques. These procedures use smaller incisions and specialized surgical instruments. At Pomerene, minimally invasive techniques may be an option for abdominal wall hernias and other procedures when appropriate. Dr. Stjernholm or Dr. Schell will recommend the surgical approach that makes sense for your condition and individual needs. Getting the Right Care Starts With a Referral If you have a condition that may require surgery, the first step is usually talking with your primary care provider. Patients may also be referred to Pomerene Surgical Services following a visit to the emergency room. Once you are referred, Dr. Stjernholm or Dr. Schell can evaluate your condition, explain your treatment options and help you understand what comes next. With Dr. Stjernholm joining the practice full time, Pomerene is expanding the general surgery services available to the community while keeping the process personal and straightforward. If you think you may need surgical care, talk with your primary care provider about a referral to Pomerene Surgical Services.

Pomerene Hospital Receives Three American Heart Association Awards

August 6, 2026

MILLERSBURG, Ohio — Pomerene Hospital has received three additional 2026 American Heart Association awards recognizing its commitment to evidence-based stroke care and coordinated heart attack care. Pomerene received the following recognitions: Get With The Guidelines®-Stroke Silver Plus Get With The Guidelines®-Rural Stroke Silver 2026 Mission: Lifeline® Systems of Care Regional Award These three recognitions are in addition to the two 2026 American Heart Association awards for heart attack care Pomerene announced last month. “These recognitions show the strength of the systems our team and local EMS partners have built for stroke and cardiac care,” said Anne Gunther, CEO of Pomerene Hospital. “They reflect the training, communication and daily follow-through required to meet nationally recognized standards. For our community, it means proven care begins close to home.” The Get With The Guidelines®-Stroke Silver Plus and Rural Stroke Silver awards recognize Pomerene’s work to follow research-based treatment guidelines designed to improve care and outcomes for patients experiencing a stroke. The recognition also highlights the important role hospitals such as Pomerene play in providing timely stroke care in rural areas. Pomerene was also recognized as one of seven participating hospitals in the Ohio Statewide Mission: Lifeline regional system. The Mission: Lifeline® Systems of Care Regional Award recognizes collaboration among hospitals, 911 emergency medical services, transportation agencies and other healthcare partners working together to improve care for patients experiencing heart attacks. Pomerene Hospital is an independent, private, not-for-profit hospital. Pomerene employs more than 325 employees and maintains a medical staff of more than 80 physicians. For more information, call 330-674-1015.

Pomerene Hospital Receives Two American Heart Association Awards for Heart Attack Care

By Cassel Bear • July 7, 2026

MILLERSBURG, Ohio — Pomerene Hospital has received two 2026 American Heart Association Get With The Guidelines® awards for heart attack care. The awards recognize Pomerene’s work to follow evidence-based guidelines for patients experiencing STEMI heart attacks. A STEMI is a serious type of heart attack that happens when blood flow is blocked to part of the heart. Fast recognition, treatment and coordination of care can make a major difference for patients. Pomerene received the Coronary Artery Disease STEMI Referring Gold Plus award for its role in caring for STEMI patients who may need to be transferred for a higher level of cardiac care. The hospital also received the Rural Coronary Artery Disease STEMI Gold award, which recognizes the unique role rural hospitals play in providing timely local care. “These awards reflect the work of many people across our hospital as well our local EMS partners,” said Anne Gunther, CEO of Pomerene Hospital. “When someone is having a heart attack, every minute matters. Pomerene Hospital is proud to serve the local community with care that is close to home, coordinated and focused on the needs of each patient.” Heart attack symptoms can include chest pain or pressure, shortness of breath, pain in the arm, back, neck or jaw, nausea, sweating, lightheadedness or unusual fatigue. Symptoms can look different from person to person. Anyone who thinks they may be having a heart attack should call 911 right away.