Respiratory

Allergic respiratory symptoms typically last weeks rather than days, produce thin clear nasal drainage, and come with itching that colds rarely cause. Sneezing in long runs, post-nasal drip, and chronic congestion that flare during specific seasons almost always trace back to allergic rhinitis. Colds resolve in 7 to 10 days and produce thicker discolored mucus. For a side-by-side breakdown see our guide on allergies vs cold symptoms, or take the free allergy vs cold quiz for a fast personal assessment.

You should see an allergist when respiratory symptoms last longer than two weeks, recur every season, disrupt sleep, or fail to respond to over-the-counter medication. Chronic congestion, post-nasal drip, nighttime cough, wheezing, and recurring sinus infections all qualify. Our diagnosis and management team has been treating Central Texas patients for over 45 years, and most new patient visits are scheduled within one to three weeks.

Allergies and asthma are different conditions but often connected. Allergic rhinitis is a major risk factor for developing asthma, and shared inflammatory pathways link the two through what specialists call the unified airway. About 60 to 80 percent of asthma patients also have allergic triggers driving their disease. Take the validated Asthma Control Test if you want a quick read on whether your asthma is controlled, or read our pages on frequent asthma attacks and asthma resources for more.

Daily nasal steroid sprays and non-sedating antihistamines control most cases of chronic allergic rhinitis. When medication is not enough, immunotherapy retrains the immune system over three to five years and produces lasting benefit in 85 to 90 percent of allergy shot patients and 75 to 85 percent of sublingual drop patients in our practice. For severe asthma, biologics like Xolair and Dupixent have changed outcomes substantially. Read our background on allergic rhinitis for more detail.

Central Texas has four high-pollen stretches that drive most respiratory symptoms. Mountain cedar peaks December through February. Oak pollen peaks March through May. Grass pollens run May through October. Ragweed peaks September and October. Indoor allergens like dust mites and mold drive year-round symptoms. Track real-time exposure on our daily pollen count, collected from a certified pollen station in our Waco office, and plan outdoor activity around low-count days during your trigger seasons.