Allergist Tina Sindher acknowledges that allergies may be affecting more people worldwide, influenced by a combination of factors such as environmental changes, modern lifestyles, urbanization, and evolving dietary habits. Prevention is playing catch-up, and promising new strategies include earlier food introduction than was popular only a few years ago. On the treatment front, hopes are rising for immunotherapies and a new prescription medicine, omalizumab, that addresses multiple allergens at once. While no single approach helps all, these strategies could allow millions worldwide to better manage their allergies, Sindher tells host Russ Altman on this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast.
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Chapters:
(00:00:00) Introduction
Russ Altman introduces guest Tina Sindher, a professor of medicine and allergy at Stanford University.
(00:03:16) Inside the Immune Response
Why our immune systems trigger allergic reactions.
(00:04:57) Genes vs. Environment
Whether genetics or environment drive allergy risks.
(00:08:05) The Microbiome Factor
The role of the microbiome and early exposures in prevention.
(00:09:17) A Global Allergy Surge
How global allergy trends reveal rising health challenges.
(00:11:56) Potent Food Triggers
Why some foods cause stronger and faster reactions.
(00:13:49) Emerging Risks
Whether Alpha-Gal signals new emerging allergy risks.
(00:15:47) Multi-Food Allergies
How multi-food allergies complicate diagnosis and treatment.
(00:19:02) Preventing Allergies Early
Why early food introduction may help prevent allergies.
(00:20:54) Skin’s Role in Allergies
The importance of infant skin health in allergy development.
(00:23:39) Testing Limitations
The limits of current testing methods to truly diagnose allergies.
(00:25:13) Standard Testing Procedure
The current methodologies deployed when testing for allergies.
(00:27:28) New Therapies
How new therapies like OIT and Xolair are reshaping treatment.
(00:31:50) The Future of Allergies
The potential of combined therapies to aid in allergy treatment.
(00:34:33) Managing Seasonal Allergies
How to manage seasonal allergies effectively at home.
(00:37:08) Conclusion
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