Is allergy season worsening?

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - If you think your allergies are bad now, experts say they're only going to get worse.

The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology says pollen counts are expected to rise over the next 30 years.

Researchers found that pollen counts averaged well above 8,000 in 2000, and by 2040, it's predicted that they will surpass 21,000.
 
According to Chief Allergist, Dr. Robert McGovern, at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, that global warming is to blame. “The global warming thing has caused a little bit of a problem with increased carbon dioxide in the air and it actually causes the plants to produce more pollen, which adds to the severity of the allergy problem we already have.”

Dr. McGovern also said the Pioneer Valley is considered an area with high pollen counts due to its location and climate. There's typically a lot of tree and grass pollen in the spring and ragweed pollen in the fall.

So what are the best ways to deal with your allergies I'll have the answer a little later in the show.