Sinuplasty is a unique surgical technique using balloons to open the natural pathways of your sinuses. This procedure is less invasive than traditional sinus surgery. By opening the sinuses, the goal is to clear the obstructed passages with little damage to the surrounding tissue. By only enlarging the natural pathways, the healing process is quicker,…
Alamo ENT Blog
Silent Reflux
Often, individuals find it difficult to believe they have silent reflux, also called laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR). They do not complain of heartburn or feel a sense of food coming up the back of their throat. Instead, these people often complain of voice problems, hoarseness, throat clearing, postnasal drip, excessive phlegm in their throat or a…
Transnasal Esophagoscopy
Transnasal Esophagoscopy, TNE is a safe, inexpensive and quick way to examine the esophagus in patients with a history of reflux and at risk for esophageal cancer. TNE does not require sedation, and it is done in the office using local anesthesia. A flexible tube is placed through the nose and behind the voice box…
Ear Tubes
Each year nearly half a million ear tube surgeries are performed on children, making it one of the most common childhood surgeries performed with anesthesia. The typical age for insertion of ear tubes is from six months to three years. Inserting tubes reduces the risk of future ear infections, restores hearing loss caused by fluid behind…
Do I have a Deviated Septum?
Many patients have been told that they have a deviated septum, but most aren’t sure exactly what that means or even if it needs to be treated. The nasal cavity is separated into left and right sides by a partition (wall) that is made up of cartilage and bone. Ideally this wall is straight so…
Turbinates: The Nasal Obstruction Affecting Your Breathing
Turbinates are normal structures in the nose that you’ve probably never heard of. They are structures made of bone and soft tissue that live at the bottom of the nose along the outside wall of the nasal cavity. There are multiple turbinates on both sides of the nose, but the ones that are the most…
What to Expect While Adjusting to Hearing Aids
New Hearing Aids Will Be A Big Change Whether you are receiving a new pair of hearing aids for the first time or replacing an old pair, there will be a period of adjustment while you get used to the new devices. It’s important to the adjustment process to manage your expectations and be aware…
How to Treat Tinnitus
Tinnitus can be caused by a variety of internal and external factors. Before you can start to treat it, it is important to find the root of the problem with a proper diagnosis. At Alamo ENT, our doctors will meet with you to determine your condition and find the cause of the ringing in your…
Combat Sinus Problems Like a Pro
When you have a stuffy nose, even life’s simplest pleasures can become ruined by the discomfort of sinus pressure. Common errands or a walk in the park can seem impossible with the congestion built up inside of you. Instead of falling victim to the challenges of stuffiness, take your life back with this information to…
Is Snoring Related to Sleep Apnea?
Snoring is a common occurrence that affects almost half of America’s population. While most of us have snored on occasion, about a quarter of all people snore on a nightly basis. While there is no single type of person that snores, this condition tends to target men and those who are overweight. Although this is…
Do You Need a Tonsillectomy?
What are tonsils? Tonsils are mounds of tissue located in a pocket on both sides of the back of the throat. They are made of lymphoid tissue which help the body sample anything that comes in through the mouth to determine if any infectious organisms like bacteria or viruses are present. Why would you need…
4 Ways to Prevent Hearing Loss
Our ears are continuously processing different noises and sounds. Unfortunately, we are not always aware of the damage we are doing to our ears by exposing ourselves to loud and harmful noises. Hearing loss can be the result of extreme exposure to loud noises and can increasingly worsen over time. Everyday noises, music, gunfire, and…
Signs of Hearing Loss
Hearing loss can happen for a variety of reasons, and no one is immune to its devastating effects. When your hearing is impaired, it can affect your health, interests, job, relationships, and overall quality of life. Common causes of hearing loss can include, but are not limited to: Genetics Loud noise exposure Aging Injury Smoking…
In Office CT Scanner
To enhance the level of service that we can provide in our office, Alamo ENT Associates has installed a Xoran MiniCAT CT scanner at our Stone Oak location. This allows us to quickly and painlessly obtain high quality images of the sinuses and ears while at the same time only requiring 1/5 to 1/20 the…