As Oklahoma battles wildfires and peak allergy season while respiratory viruses continue to circulate, Dr. Matthew Else of Craft Concierge Medicine shares expert insights on managing these health challenges when they overlap.
If you’ve been feeling under the weather lately, you’re not alone. Across Oklahoma and many parts of the country, a perfect storm of environmental and seasonal factors is creating what medical professionals are calling a “triple threat” to respiratory health.
A recent news segment from News on 6 in Tulsa highlighted how wildfire smoke, high pollen counts, and circulating virusess are contributing to widespread illness across Oklahoma. As these challenges aren’t unique to one region, understanding their impact and how to protect yourself is crucial no matter where you live.
Understanding the Triple Threat
“What we’re seeing right now is essentially a collision of multiple respiratory irritants and infectious agents,” explains Dr. Matthew Else, medical director for Craft Concierge Medicine in Tulsa. “Each alone would be challenging, but together they create a compounding effect that can overwhelm even healthy immune systems.”
Wildfire Smoke: An Increasing Concern
Wildfires have become more frequent and intense across the United States. In Oklahoma, recent fires have significantly degraded air quality across large regions of the state.
“Wildfire smoke isn’t just visible particles—it contains microscopic particulate matter we call PM2.5,” Dr. Else explains. “These particles are so small they bypass our body’s natural filtration systems and penetrate deep into the lungs, even entering the bloodstream in some cases.”
This exposure can trigger inflammation throughout the respiratory system and beyond, potentially affecting the cardiovascular system. For those with pre-existing conditions like asthma or COPD, the effects can be particularly severe and long-lasting.
Record Pollen Seasons: The New Normal
Climate change has extended and intensified allergy seasons nationwide. Warmer temperatures and higher carbon dioxide levels are creating longer growing seasons and increasing pollen production.
“In Oklahoma, we’re seeing particularly high levels of oak, cedar, and juniper pollen this year,” notes Dr. Else. “But similar patterns are playing out across different regions with their local allergens. What’s concerning is that pollen seasons are starting earlier and lasting longer than they did even a decade ago.”
When combined with wildfire smoke, pollen creates a dual assault on respiratory systems. “Your body’s defenses are already activated and potentially overwhelmed by one irritant, which makes you more susceptible to stronger, more severe reactions from other irritants because your immune system is on high alert,” Dr. Else points out.
Persistent Respiratory Viruses
While COVID-19 may no longer dominate headlines, it continues to circulate alongside seasonal influenza and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus).
“Viral respiratory infections remain widespread, and their symptoms often overlap with those caused by environmental irritants,” says Dr. Else. “What’s particularly challenging is that a recent viral infection can leave your respiratory system more vulnerable to irritation from smoke or allergens for weeks afterward.”
Recognizing When You Need Medical Care
With so many overlapping factors, how do you know when your symptoms warrant medical attention? Dr. Else offers these guidelines:
“Fever, body aches, and pronounced fatigue typically point to viral illness rather than just environmental exposures,” he explains. “But the real red flags are severe shortness of breath, wheezing that doesn’t respond to regular medications, chest pain or pressure, or coughing that produces colored or bloody mucus.”
Another crucial indicator is duration. “If your respiratory symptoms persist beyond 10-14 days, especially with worsening rather than improving patterns, that’s a clear sign to consult a healthcare provider,” advises Dr. Else.
Practical Protection Strategies
While we can’t completely avoid these exposures, Dr. Else recommends several practical steps to minimize their impact:
Monitor Environmental Conditions
“Knowledge is power when it comes to environmental exposures,” says Dr. Else. “I recommend my patients regularly check air quality indexes through sites like AirNow.gov and pollen forecasts through weather services or allergy tracking apps.”
When air quality deteriorates or pollen counts spike, adjusting your activities accordingly can significantly reduce exposure. If you do have to go outside, try to avoid the 10am-6pm time-window as this tends to be when air quality is worst.
Create Clean Air Sanctuaries
Your home should be a refuge from environmental irritants. “High-quality HVAC filters rated MERV 13 or higher can significantly reduce particulate matter in your home,” Dr. Else recommends. “Standalone HEPA air purifiers are also excellent investments, particularly for bedrooms where you spend approximately one-third of your time.”
Keep windows closed during high pollen periods or when smoke is present, and consider using air conditioning to filter incoming air. Do not use a filter-less circulating fan as this tends to spread irritants throughout the room.
Personal Protection
When venturing outdoors during challenging conditions, proper masks can provide significant protection. “N95 respirators are the gold standard for filtering both smoke particles and pollen,” says Dr. Else. “While cloth masks offer minimal protection against these particular threats.”
Support Your Body’s Natural Defenses
“Nasal irrigation with saline solutions can physically flush irritants from nasal passages before they trigger inflammatory responses,” Dr. Else suggests. “I recommend this simple practice to many of my patients experiencing recurring respiratory irritation.” Remember to always use distilled water as water from the faucet is not safe for nasal and sinus irrigation.
Staying well-hydrated is equally important. “Proper hydration helps maintain the moisture of mucous membranes, which are your body’s first line of defense against airborne irritants and pathogens,” he explains.
Medication Management
For those with allergies or respiratory conditions, being proactive with medications is crucial during challenging periods.
“Consider starting allergy medications before symptoms appear if you know you’re heading into a high-risk season,” advises Dr. Else. “And for those with asthma or COPD, work with your healthcare provider to develop an action plan that includes potentially adjusting maintenance medications during high-risk periods.”
Building Resilient Respiratory Health
Beyond immediate challenges, building respiratory resilience is increasingly important in our changing environment.
“I’m having more conversations with patients about long-term respiratory health strategies,” shares Dr. Else. “This includes structured exercise programs to strengthen respiratory muscles, maintaining healthy weight to reduce respiratory demand, and addressing chronic conditions that may compromise lung function.”
Nutrition also plays a vital role. “Anti-inflammatory diets rich in fruits, vegetables, and omega-3 fatty acids can help modulate your body’s inflammatory responses to irritants,” he notes.
Personalized Approach to Complex Health Challenges
The overlapping nature of today’s health challenges highlights the importance of personalized care.
“Cookie-cutter approaches often fall short when patients face multiple simultaneous health stressors,” Dr. Else reflects. “At Craft Concierge Medicine, we focus on developing comprehensive strategies tailored to each individual’s specific health profile, environmental exposures, and lifestyle.”
This personalized approach allows for more nuanced care during complex health situations like the current “triple threat.”
“Being able to spend more time with patients means we can dive deeper into the root causes of symptoms, distinguish between overlapping conditions, and develop more effective treatment plans,” explains Dr. Else.
As environmental challenges and seasonal health threats continue to evolve, having a healthcare partner who understands your complete health picture becomes increasingly valuable. Whether you’re in Oklahoma facing wildfires or elsewhere dealing with regional environmental and seasonal health challenges, a comprehensive approach to respiratory health has never been more important.
Dr. Matthew Else is the medical director at Craft Concierge Medicine in Tulsa, Oklahoma. While this article provides general health information, individual medical advice should always be sought from your personal healthcare provider.
