Spring is synonymous with budding flowers, blooming trees — and for many, allergies. According to the CDC, seasonal allergies (also called hay fever and allergic rhinitis) can affect as many as 60 million people per year in the United States.

Below, Neil Parikh, MD, an allergy and immunology specialist with Dignity Health Mercy Medical Group, discusses causes of allergies, management tips and seasonal allergy trends.

For those who experience headache pain, it is important to understand what you are feeling in order to identify the type of headache, treat the pain and make changes to avoid the development of a chronic condition. Halima Karim, MD, a neurologist with Dignity Health Woodland Clinic, shares more about headache disorders and provides insight on the most common type — migraines.

COVID-19 raises many questions for those who are currently pregnant, trying to get pregnant or planning on getting pregnant in the future. Research shows that it is safe to receive the COVID-19 vaccine at any point during pregnancy, and getting vaccinated is the best way to prevent serious complications from getting COVID-19 for both mom and baby.

“We have a lot of information about the harms of getting sick with COVID-19 during pregnancy and how safe and effective the vaccines are, “says Kimberly Moreland, MD, an OB/GYN with Dignity Health Medical Group — Dominican. “Don't miss this amazing opportunity to protect yourself and your baby by staying up-to-date with your vaccines and boosters.”

Whether you have an official break from school or simply want to take advantage of warm weather, spring travel is top-of-mind for many of us. Whatever your plans, keep in mind that COVID-19 is still poses a health concern and the virus can spread easily among groups of people during travel and in places like museums, sports venues or amusement parks.

We caught up with Kelley Brinsky, DO, a family medicine and osteopathic manipulative medicine physician with Dignity Health Medical Group — Sequoia, to discuss tips for safe and healthy travel this spring.

Proper nutrition plays an important role in overall health and wellness. It is also a powerful tool for building a resilient cardiovascular system and battling heart disease, the leading cause of death in the United States. Created by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, National Nutrition Month in March aims to highlight the importance of making informed food choices and developing healthy eating habits.

Anabel Facemire, MD, FACC, a cardiologist with Dignity Health Medical Group — Sierra Nevada, shares important nutrition reminders that can contribute to good health and lower your risk for heart disease.