Q&A: seasonal allergies; Ozempic and relationship with food; high LDL cholesterol; & gut healing after a "bug"
ICYMI 👉
Today’s LIVE Q&A is a conversation with Dr. Sharon Malone on menopause, hormone replacement therapy, and how to confidently advocate for yourself at the doctor’s office. Join us HERE TODAY 4/11 at 3 pm ET!
Paid subscribers can submit their questions for me to answer live, right here!
In this week’s reader-submitted Q&A, we’re tackling these questions:
My allergies this year are terrible—what should I do?
Ozempic is complicating my relationship with food—is this normal?
Do I need to go on a statin for my high cholesterol?
How long does it take for my gut to bounce back after food poisoning?
📣 Send me your questions for future Q&As! Click here to write me. ✍️
The following subscriber questions have been lightly edited for length and clarity.
QUESTION #1: SEASONAL ALLERGIES
I’ve had allergies all my life, but this spring has been brutal so far. I wake up congested, groggy, and foggy no matter how many antihistamines I take. Has pollen gotten worse—or am I just getting old?
-Julia
Hi Julia,
You're definitely not imagining it—spring allergies have gotten worse in recent years, and it’s not just because you’re getting older. Studies show that rising temperatures and longer growing seasons due to climate change are causing plants to produce more pollen—and for longer periods. So if you’ve noticed that allergy season starts earlier, lasts longer, and hits harder, you’re not alone!
At the same time, our immune systems can shift as we age. You might become more sensitive to certain allergens, or your body may respond differently than it used to. And while antihistamines help many people, they don't always address the full inflammatory cascade that seasonal allergies can kick off.
If you’re waking up congested and foggy despite taking antihistamines, it might be time to add or swap treatments. Nasal steroid sprays like fluticasone (Flonase) or mometasone (Nasonex) can reduce inflammation directly in the nasal passages and often work better for congestion than antihistamines alone. Using a saline nasal rinse before bed can help clear out allergens before you sleep. And don’t overlook your bedroom—HEPA air purifiers, keeping windows closed, and showering before bed can all help reduce your overnight exposure to pollen.
If over-the-counter strategies aren’t cutting it, it’s worth checking in with your primary care doctor or an allergist. There may be other options, like prescription medications or allergy immunotherapy, that can bring you longer-term relief.
You’re not just getting old—spring has changed, and your approach to allergies might need to change with it!
QUESTION #2: OZEMPIC AND RELATIONSHIP WITH FOOD
I started taking Ozempic three months ago and while I’ve lost weight, I feel like my relationship with food is getting weirder. I’m never hungry, but also never satisfied. Is this something you’re seeing in other patients? -
KP
Dear KP,
Yes, I hear this all the time. And I completely understand why it feels weird. Because it is weird —in the sense that Ozempic is doing something your body and brain have never experienced before.
GLP-1 medications like Ozempic aren’t just about turning down hunger; they’re about turning down food noise—that constant hum of thoughts about eating, cravings, portions, planning. For many people, that’s life-changing. For others, it’s... unsettling.
Because food has never just been about fuel. Food is connection, comfort, joy, habit, culture, ritual. And when the usual cues for eating are muted, it can leave people wondering: What does satisfaction even feel like now?
This is not failure. It’s not a sign that Ozempic isn’t working. It’s a sign that you’re in the middle of a recalibration—biologically, emotionally, socially.
What I encourage patients to do is stay curious. Ask:
If hunger isn’t driving me, what is?
What does satisfaction feel like if it’s not tied to fullness?
What else, besides food, meets my needs for comfort or connection?
This is exactly why I’ve written that Ozempic is not a magic fix, or a sign of laziness, or “chemical willpower.” It’s a tool. A profoundly helpful one for many—especially when used thoughtfully, with care and support—but still just a tool.
You’re not doing it wrong. You’re learning a new language with your body. And like any new language, it’s going to feel awkward before it feels fluent.
Be patient. Be curious. And most of all—be kind to yourself while you figure it out.
Weight loss is easy to measure. Self-awareness, agency, and peace with food? That’s the real work. And that’s what lasts long after the medication is gone.
QUESTION #3: HIGH LDL CHOLESTEROL
I’m 45, fit, and eat well—but suddenly my LDL cholesterol shot up. My doctor wants to start me on a statin. Should I try to fix it with lifestyle first, or is that outdated thinking?
-Frederick
Hi Frederick,
It’s not outdated thinking at all to want to address elevated LDL cholesterol with lifestyle changes—especially if you’re otherwise healthy, active, and eating well. But whether a statin is appropriate depends on more than just the LDL number itself.
In your 40s, a sudden increase in LDL can be influenced by hormonal changes (perimenopause is a big player), genetics, or shifts in body composition—even when lifestyle stays consistent. It’s frustrating, but common. Still, a single lab result doesn’t tell the whole story. Your doctor is likely considering your overall cardiovascular risk, including family history, blood pressure, triglycerides, HDL levels, and other markers like lipoprotein(a) or inflammation (like hs-CRP). The decision to start a statin ideally includes a discussion of your 10-year atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk score, not just the LDL alone.
That said, if your LDL is high but your risk is otherwise low, there’s often room for a trial of lifestyle tweaks—more fiber, less saturated fat, regular movement, and focusing on whole, minimally processed foods. Even small shifts (like increasing soluble fiber or cutting back on refined carbs) can have a measurable impact.
Statins aren’t inherently bad or only for people in crisis—they’ve been well studied and are very effective at reducing cardiovascular events. But they also aren’t the only answer. If you’re inclined to try lifestyle changes first, talk with your doctor about a follow-up plan: repeat labs in three to six months, track progress, and reassess from there.
The goal isn’t just to “treat the number,” but to support your long-term health in a way that feels sustainable and aligned with your values. It’s okay to ask for time and clarity before jumping in.
QUESTION #4: GUT HEALING AFTER A “BUG”
I got food poisoning from takeout and I’m terrified to eat out again. I know that sounds dramatic, but I still don’t feel right two weeks later. Can your gut really take that long to bounce back?
-Sarah
Hi Sarah,
It doesn’t sound dramatic at all—food poisoning can be a surprisingly intense experience, and it’s not uncommon for people to feel unsettled (physically and emotionally) for weeks afterward. Your gut can absolutely take time to recover, especially if the illness disrupted the balance of bacteria in your digestive tract or caused inflammation.
Even after the acute symptoms like vomiting or diarrhea resolve, the lining of your gut may still be healing. This can lead to lingering issues like bloating, sensitivity to certain foods, changes in bowel habits, or that vague “off” feeling you’re describing. For some people, a particularly rough case of food poisoning can even trigger a temporary form of post-infectious IBS, which may take weeks—or in rare cases, months—to fully resolve.
During recovery, it can help to eat simple, easily digestible foods—think rice, cooked vegetables, bananas, toast, broth—while gradually reintroducing fiber and more complex meals. Staying well hydrated and considering a short course of a probiotic can also support your gut’s return to balance.
It’s also normal to feel anxious about eating after a stomach bug. I suggest starting with meals you’ve had before or restaurants you feel comfortable with can help ease back in when you’re ready.
So yes, your gut—and your mind—can need time to bounce back. You’re not being dramatic; you’re responding to a real physical and emotional stressor. With some gentle care and patience, you’ll feel like yourself again.
Disclaimer: The views expressed here are entirely my own. They are not a substitute for advice from your personal physician.
Nice
Have you had patients who have noticed hair thinning while on Wegovy?