The Allergy Station

5 reasons I took the coronavirus vaccine: 1. I’m an immunologist. I’ve spent 25 years studying how we can improve people’s immune systems to protect them against harmful substances. 2. As a physician, we follow the Hippocratic oath. That includes limiting harm. This virus has inflicted so much damage - health - physical mental and emotional , wellness, society, education, family structures, economy, and more. ... 3. I believe the science, but more importantly the beneficence of our bio pharmaceutical infrastructure, has been put to the test and triumphed valiantly beyond measure. Now we have to deploy rapidly and return to our new normal. 4. Barbara. Carl. John. Bob. Linda. Barbie. Nancy. Susan. Cynthia. Rose. Karen. Kathy. Frank. Tom. David. Joanie. Sharon. Michele. Shirley. Don. Joanne. And so many more. You are loved. You are missed. And we hope to see you soon. 5. And finally - my faith told this is the way. I have been blessed to see some of Gods amazing creations - the tops of his mountains, the bottom of his seas, vistas and shores worthy of art. And I want to go back there. Soon. With you. The way to get back there sooner is by this path. His path. I respect if you chose to not take this vaccine. We have patients who have absolute contraindications to it. And I believe we are all created to have our free will. I also believe this choice (to immunize) will accelerate our recovery towards normal and a healthier way of future living and thriving.

Despite the many challenges that 2020 and COVID19 presented, it wouldn’t be proper to NOT celebrate these courageous OIT families who showed incredible perseverance, faith and love with these amazing children #OITworks @theallergystation (Note: most pictures taken prior to April 2020)

Festive allergy lab, 4K mg for MM OIT, rapid COVID tests in house, a new OIT assistant and a delicious holiday platter from a wonderful family. It was a long, taxing, but rewarding week.

As we return to school this Fall 2020, many things couldn’t be more unfamiliar, unsettled or unnerving. Distant/virtual learning has taken its place in our everyday lives. It’s here for now. We have to navigate our futures with this model. Stress levels are understandably very high. Our normal back to school joys - seeing new classmates, hugs and the sounds of friends re-united after summer break just aren’t there. ... Our entrance and path into this long, digital tunnel can consume us. Technical issues will happen. Personnel issues will happen. There will be frustration, sadness, fear and doubt. We want to help bring our friends and community back to some semblance of normal. There is joy to be had. There is learning to be done. We will make it through this together. We’ve prepared a small, token back to school packet to help those students and parents face the steep tasks ahead. A few tips for a successful, healthy start to our school year: 1. Breathe - focus on deep, slow, controlled meditative breathing. Teach your children. Learn to center your core, and lower your overall stress 2. Eat well - use the kitchen as a focal point of the house. Expect teamwork, and teach your kids the skill of making good, healthy food. (Make enough for leftovers to help decrease the workload) 3. Focus on good sleep - sleep is one of the core functions that we can’t do without. If sleep isn’t healthy, other areas will suffer. 4. Exercise - use good weather to bank cardiovascular and metabolic benefits. No amount of exercise is too little. Even 5 or 10 minutes can help. And start planning for an indoor routine when seasons change. (Look closely at cluttered areas -> make them a work out space, and consider donating those things to local charities). 5. Meditate or pray - try and set aside 15 minutes, once or twice a day, to focus on peace and resilience. Clear your mind of distractions and the constant pounding of the news cycle. Keep a journal. Sing to yourself. 6. Laugh - the power of laughter has been studied by scientists. The amount of pain and stress-relieving molecules released in our bodies during laughter exceeds almost any treatment available. Do it often. And together. We are a culture built on faith, love, trust, teamwork, self-improvement and resolve. We certainly have flaws and major areas of improvement. We know these times are exceedingly challenging. We are here as your health and wellness partners - please let us know if we can help. Travis, and the team (Jami, Julie and Patricia) at TAS

Silver linings of this COVID19 in 2020: Making new friends. I met Rabbi Korik through community outreach and working with local government to responsibly support faith groups. I feel so blessed to have had these opportunities. We must come together, rise above bureaucracy and make the world better for the next generation, safely. Thanks Rabbi - happy holidays!... Travis Miller Chabad Lubavitch HQ See more

https://www.washingtonpost.com//pfizer-coronavirus-vaccin/ Exciting news. Vaccines will be another important tool in combatting SARS-CoV2 and returning our lives to more normal. Don’t forget:... wearing masks social distancing symptoms awareness avoid gatherings, especially inside washing your hands for 20 secs burying sneezes and coughs in elbows, tissues or costume trunks These all help in combination Remember: One set formula doesn’t work for everybody. Lets respect each other’s values, and choices. It will take a massive, concerted, collaborative, all-in, team-spirited effort to bring our lives back to normal We CAN DO THIS !!!

Stress level high? Don’t know why you’re SOB (short of breath)? Looking for effective breathing techniques that promote relaxation/stress reduction and increase respiratory efficiency?... This season will do it to you. Us. You’re not alone. Here’s great info, again from the ACAAI Integrative Medicine committee: https://theallergystation.com/the-better-breathing-guide/ We hope this helps. If you need more support, call us

Good advice for a safe 2020 Halloween https://acaai.org//follow-expert-guidelines-keep-halloween 916.238.6238

We field lots of calls and questions What can I do to be protect myself from COVID? Balanced diet. Regular exercise. Quality sleep. ... Stress reduction. Controlled breathing exercises. Up to Date vaccinations. Turn off the news-media insanity. The are many components to good immune health. Today - we’d like to highlight the work of the Integrative Medicine Committee of ACAAI which compiled an elegant, evidence-based review of Vitamins and supplements that may support immune function w/r/t coronavirus or other infections. https://theallergystation.com/covid-19-and-the-use-of-vita/ As always, please discuss with your healthcare provider ALL the treatments you are taking and/or considering. This is for informational purpose and should not be considered personal medical advice. As always, be well Travis & The Allergy Station

Fall Webinar # 5 is up on the website for any who want to watch Both on You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pb7NUSlF5S8&feature=emb_logo and ... the Homepage www.theallergystation.com Stay healthy

NorCal Fires They’re real. They’re back! Arrgghh Photo: BluAire 203 HEPA filter ~ 60 days Be prepared - need a better respiratory plan? Call us 916.238.6238 AQI >150

We’ve heard some about hero’s recently. Well, this is our definition of a TRUE HERO - Us: How’s your morning going? Patient: Pretty good ... Us: Ready for Allergy Shots? Patient: Yep Us: How’s work been lately? Patient: Well, I worked a structure fire from 3:15am this morning until 8:30am, when my team got relieved #Hero #343 #Neverforget #ThankTheHeroes

Please join us!

Masks have become part of our daily routine. They protect others. We just felt like our friend needed to be recognized for the best mask of the YEAR!!! #waytorockitlilj... #breathingproblemsareourspecialty #allergydesensitizationworks See more

Fabulous Food Friday’s - 2020 Congrats to our most recent friend to achieved top dose Thank you to our friend - who gave us the new VW shirts ... And a reverent 9/11 to all who have served and are 1st responders

Hey Friends: Check out Latex Allergy Awareness USA - they have a High School Student creativity contest open until 9/23/2020 Latex Allergy is a serious health issue affecting up to 6% of Americans. Many of our Latex Allergy patients are under 18 years of age. This is a REAL and PRESENT DANGER! ... Enter the contest today - awards are available. More importantly -> SHOW YOUR SUPPORT

A quick SHOUT OUT to these incredible women - who in the midst of a pandemic, found time away from their jobs and families, to GIFT US with masks, face shields and PPE. We have both cotton and LATEX FREE versions. Thank you, Thank You, THANK YOU to CH, TD and AA for your incredible generosity, thoughtfulness and grace in the midst of THIS. #RealHeroes