Why do allergies happen—and why do they seem to be getting worse every year? In this episode of Health Matters, host Courtney Allison sits down with Dr. David Gudis, an otolaryngologist and chief of the Division of Rhinology and Anterior Skull Base Surgery at NewYork‑Presbyterian and Columbia, to break down the basics of hay fever, also known as allergic rhinitis.

Dr. Gudis explains what’s really behind common allergy symptoms like sneezing, congestion, fatigue, and brain fog, and why hay fever is actually an overreaction of the immune system—not the pollen itself. He discusses why allergy seasons are lasting longer, how environmental factors and modern living may play a role, and the surprising ways allergies can affect sleep, concentration, and mental health.

This episode offers practical, science‑based guidance—from simple prevention strategies to over‑the‑counter treatments and allergy shots—to help you breathe easier this season and beyond.

Chapters:

00:00 – What Is Hay Fever?
An introduction to allergic rhinitis and why allergy symptoms happen

04:00 – Why Are Allergy Seasons Getting Worse?
Climate, environment, and changes in immune response

09:40 – How Do Allergies Affect Sleep, Focus, and Mental Health?
The surprising impact on wellbeing, mood, and daily life

10:45 – How Do I Find Relief? Treatments That Work
Avoidance strategies, medications, allergy shots, and nasal rinses

Key Topics Covered:

• Hay fever / allergic rhinitis
• Immune system overreaction
• Seasonal and environmental allergies
• Mental health and sleep disruption
• Pollen season and climate effects
• Allergy prevention and treatment
• Nasal sprays, antihistamines, and immunotherapy

Takeaway Message:

Hay fever isn’t “just allergies” — it’s a real, systemic condition caused by an overactive immune response that can affect sleep, mood, concentration, and quality of life. The good news? Effective treatments exist, and with the right approach, allergy symptoms can be controlled

Doctor Bio:

Dr. David Gudis is an otolaryngologist and Chief of the Division of Rhinology and Anterior Skull Base Surgery at NewYork‑Presbyterian and Columbia. He specializes in disorders of the nose and sinuses, including allergic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, and nasal inflammation. Dr. Gudis is dedicated to helping patients understand the root causes of their symptoms and access effective, personalized treatments that improve daily life and overall wellbeing.

What does your gut really do—and how can you keep it healthy? In this episode of Health Matters, host Courtney Allison sits down with Dr. Haley Zylberberg, a gastroenterologist at NewYork‑Presbyterian and Weill Cornell Medicine, to find out the basics of gut health, from digestion and the microbiome to fiber, fermented foods, and the gut‑brain connection.

Dr. Zylberberg explains how fiber supports digestion, why everyone’s “normal” gut function looks different, and how stress and mental health can directly affect the digestive system. She also shares signs of a healthy gut, red flags that shouldn’t be ignored, and why colorectal cancer screening is so important—especially as younger adults are being diagnosed more often.

Whether you’re curious about probiotics, wondering how much fiber you really need, or looking to better understand your body, this episode offers practical, science‑backed guidance to help support lifelong gut health.

Chapters:

00:00 – The Basics of Gut Health and the Microbiome
What the gut is, how digestion works, and why the microbiome plays a critical role in overall health.

06:30 – Fiber, Food, and Supporting Your Gut
How fiber supports digestion, how much you need each day, common misconceptions, and tips for increasing fiber safely.

11:30 – The Gut‑Brain Connection
How stress affects digestion, why the gut and brain communicate so closely, and what that means for digestive symptoms.

15:10 – Red Flags and Colorectal Cancer Screening
Warning signs of an unhealthy gut, when to see a doctor, and why colorectal cancer screening is essential and preventive.

Key Topics Covered

· Gut anatomy and digestion

· The gut microbiome and “good” bacteria

· Fiber benefits and daily fiber intake

· Fermented foods and probiotics

· Gas, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea

· The gut‑brain connection and stress

· Red flag digestive symptoms

· Colorectal cancer prevention and screening guidelines

Takeaway Message
Your gut plays a central role in your overall health, and small, consistent habits—like eating enough fiber, managing stress, and knowing what’s normal for your body—can make a big difference. Paying attention to changes and staying up to date with recommended screenings can help catch problems early and even prevent serious disease.

Expert Guest

Dr. Haley Zylberberg’s clinical focus is general gastroenterology, with a specialization in celiac disease. She has a sustained interest in patient-outcomes research using large databases and has authored numerous peer-reviewed articles on celiac disease diagnosis and its clinical manifestations.

Dr. Zylberberg earned her B.A. in neuroscience and behavior from Columbia University and her medical degree at Hofstra-Northwell School of Medicine, where she graduated with a distinction in research. She completed internal medicine residency at The Mount Sinai Hospital, followed by a gastroenterology fellowship at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center, where she served as chief fellow. During her fellowship, Dr. Zylberberg undertook advanced training in research methods, culminating in a master's degree in patient-oriented research from Columbia's Mailman School of Public Health.

Dr. Mary Rosser, obstetrician gynecologist and director of Fazzalari Women’s Health at NewYork-Presbyterian The One and Columbia, joins us to explain how the endocrine system functions and how external chemicals can disrupt hormonal signals that influence metabolism, fertility, cancer risk, and long-term health.

She details the most common sources of endocrine disruptors — including plastics, personal care items, cleaning products, and pesticides — and shares clear, manageable strategies for reducing everyday exposure. Dr. Rosser’s guidance empowers listeners to make small, sustainable changes that can help protect hormonal well‑being.

Chapters:

00:00:00 — Understanding Hormones and Endocrine Disruptors

00:05:01 — Health Effects Linked to Endocrine Disruptors

00:09:55 — Everyday Sources and How to Reduce Exposure

00:17:28 — Can the Body Recover? Practical Steps and Final Takeaways

Key Topics Covered

• What hormones are and how the endocrine system works
• What endocrine disruptors are and how they interfere with hormone signaling
• How endocrine disruptors enter the body (skin, food, air)
• Health impacts: metabolism, fertility, cancer risk, and chronic conditions
• Common sources of disruptors (plastics, BPA, phthalates, cosmetics, cleaning products, pesticides, microplastics)
• Practical ways to reduce exposure in daily life
• How to monitor hormone health and when to talk to a doctor
• The body’s ability to recover once exposure is reduced

Takeaway Message
This episode empowers listeners to understand how everyday chemicals can interfere with the body’s delicate hormonal system — and shows that small, practical changes in the products we use and the foods we choose can meaningfully reduce exposure.

Expert Guest

Dr. Mary L. Rosser, M.D., Ph.D., NCMP is an obstetrician gynecologist and the director of Fazzalari Women’s Health at NewYork-Presbyterian The One and Columbia. She is the Richard U. and Ellen J. Levine Assistant Professor of Women's Health (in Obstetrics and Gynecology) at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons. She joined the faculty of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Columbia University in April 2018 to provide routine gynecology care and to further develop a comprehensive well-woman program. She has been a practicing obstetrician gynecologist for more than 20 years, starting in private practice and then joining the faculty at Montefiore Medical Center in Bronx, NY. While at Montefiore, she created, launched, and led the forty-person Division of General Obstetrics and Gynecology. Dr. Rosser received her undergraduate degree at Emory University and a Ph.D. in Endocrinology at the Medical College of Georgia. She attended Wake Forest University School of Medicine and completed her residency at Emory University. She is also a NAMS Certified Menopause Practitioner, able to provide high-quality care for patients at menopause and beyond.

Primary care and heart disease in women have always been areas of focus for Dr. Rosser. She conducted basic science research on heart disease during graduate school and was the Chair of the "Women & Heart Disease Physician Education Initiative" for District II of the American College of Obstetrics & Gynecology. She continues to conduct clinical studies around patient awareness and understanding of heart disease and well-woman care. Dr. Rosser serves on the Medical Leadership Team of the Go Red for Women movement of the American Heart Association and she is ACOG's liaison to the American College of Cardiology.