By: Dr. Madeleine Samuelson Herman, MD, MPH, FAAOA The best treatment for snoring depends on why you are snoring in the first place. For some people, simple lifestyle changes may make a significant difference. For others, treating nasal obstruction, using an oral appliance, treating sleep apnea, or addressing an anatomical problem may be necessary. Here are some common treatment options: 1. Make Lifestyle Changes Simple changes can sometimes reduce snoring. Maintaining a heal

By: Dr. Madeleine S. Herman, MD, MPH, FAAOA Insta: Doctor.Nose.Best It's getting colder and dryer outside, which means... it's nose bleed season! Nosebleeds, also called epistaxis, are common—especially when the air is dry. Dry nasal passages can become irritated and develop small cracks that bleed easily. Nose picking, rubbing, allergies, nasal sprays, and frequent nose blowing can make the problem worse. The good news? Most nosebleeds can be stopped at home with a few simpl

By: Dr. Madeleine Samuelson Herman, MD, MPH Trouble breathing through your nose? A stuffy snout? A stopped-up sniffer?If you're constantly struggling to breathe through your nose, there's usually a reason. Poor nasal breathing can contribute to mouth breathing, snoring, poor sleep, dry mouth and throat, throat clearing, and sinus symptoms. The challenge is figuring out exactly where the problem is. There are several potential points of narrowing or obstruction throughout the

By: Madeleine Samuelson Herman, MD What is Laryngopharyngeal Reflux (LPR)? Acid reflux occurs when acidic stomach contents flow up into the esophagus, the swallowing tube that leads from the back of the throat to the stomach. When acid repeatedly “refluxes” from the stomach into the esophagus alone, it is known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). However, if the stomach acid travels up the esophagus and spills into the throat or voice box (called the pharynx/larynx), i

By: Dr. Madeleine Samuelson Herman, MD, MPH Whether it’s caused by a cold, COVID-19, allergies, or chronic sinus disease, losing your sense of smell stinks. I frequently talk to patients about loss of smell (anosmia) and changes in their ability to smell, also known as olfactory dysfunction. Some people completely lose their sense of smell, while others notice that smells have become weaker, distorted, or different than they remember. Your sense of smell is closely connected

By: Dr. Madeleine Samuelson Herman, MD, MPH If you live in Houston, you know that allergy season can feel like it lasts all year long. Houston’s warm, humid climate creates an environment where many common allergens—including mold, dust mites, pollen, and other environmental allergens—can thrive for much of the year. For many Houston residents, allergies can cause more than an occasional sneeze. Nasal congestion, runny nose, itchy and watery eyes, sneezing, postnasal drip, si

By: Madeleine Samuelson Herman, MD A cold, an upper respiratory infection, “The Sinus.” You don’t care what it’s called, you just want to feel better! A trip to the pharmacy can be quite confusing. There are a million medicines with complicated names. What do you do? Well, hopefully this guide can help. *** The first step is identifying your symptoms. Is it a stuffy nose that’s your biggest issue? A cough? Headache? Drainage? Different medicines treat different symptoms. 1)

By: Dr. Madeleine Herman, MD You finally get into bed, lie down, and within minutes your nose feels blocked. Maybe one nostril closes up. Maybe both sides feel congested. You roll over, prop up your pillow, or start breathing through your mouth just to get comfortable. If your nose seems much stuffier at night than it does during the day, you’re not imagining it. Nasal congestion can become more noticeable when you lie down, and several different conditions can make nighttime

By: Dr Madeleine Herman, MD If you're a parent, there's a good chance you've experienced the sleepless nights, tears, and repeated trips to the pediatrician that come with ear infections. Ear infections are one of the most common childhood illnesses, especially in babies and young children. While most children will have at least one ear infection before starting school, some seem to get them over and over again. So how do you know when another round of antibiotics is enough—a

By: Dr. Madeleine Herman, MD If your nose always seems congested, your sinuses constantly feel full, or you're battling one sinus infection after another, you may be wondering if it's more than bad luck. For many people, the answer is yes. Houston's unique combination of high humidity, long allergy seasons, Gulf Coast weather, and urban air pollution creates an environment that can aggravate allergies, chronic sinusitis, asthma, and nasal inflammation. While these environment

If you've been dealing with chronic sinus infections, constant congestion, facial pressure, or difficulty breathing through your nose, you've probably wondered if there's an alternative to traditional sinus surgery. For many patients, balloon sinuplasty offers a minimally invasive option that can improve sinus drainage without removing tissue or bone. At SCENT Houston – Sinus Center & ENT Specialists of Houston, Dr. Madeleine Herman performs balloon sinuplasty for carefully s

By: Dr. Madeleine Herman, MD One of the most common questions we hear at SCENT Houston – Sinus Center & ENT Specialists of Houston is: "How do I know if I have allergies or a sinus infection?" It's an understandable question because the symptoms often overlap. Both can cause nasal congestion, facial pressure, postnasal drip, headaches, and a runny nose. In Houston, where pollen, mold, and humidity are present much of the year, it can be especially difficult to tell which cond

By: Dr. Madeleine Herman, MD If you feel like your allergies never end in Houston, you're not imagining it. Unlike many parts of the country that experience one or two distinct allergy seasons, Houston's warm climate, high humidity, and diverse vegetation create nearly year-round exposure to pollen, mold, and other airborne allergens. For many people, this constant inflammation doesn't just cause sneezing and itchy eyes—it can also lead to chronic nasal congestion, sinus pres

By: Dr Madeleine Herman, MD If you've been struggling with chronic sinus infections, constant congestion, facial pressure, or difficulty breathing through your nose, you may have heard about balloon sinuplasty and traditional endoscopic sinus surgery. Both procedures are designed to improve sinus drainage and help patients breathe more comfortably, but they are not the same—and choosing the right treatment depends on your specific condition. At SCENT Houston – Sinus Center &

Madeleine S. Herman, MD If you live in Houston, you've probably heard someone say, "It's not the heat—it's the humidity." While the city's humid climate is well known for making summer feel even hotter, many people are surprised to learn that Houston's humidity can also play a major role in sinus problems. Humidity itself isn't always bad. In fact, the right amount of moisture in the air helps keep your nasal passages healthy. However, Houston's consistently high humidity cre

One of the most useful tools an ENT specialist uses to diagnose sinus and nasal problems is a nasal endoscopy. Many patients are surprised at how quick and helpful this procedure is. A nasal endoscope allows your ENT doctor to see areas deep inside the nose and sinuses that simply cannot be evaluated well with a regular flashlight exam. At SCENT Houston, Dr. Madeleine S. Herman frequently performs nasal endoscopy to evaluate nasal congestion, sinus infections, nasal obstructi

Transcript Here If you constantly feel congested, cannot breathe through your nose, or have lost your sense of smell, nasal polyps may be the cause. Nasal polyps are a very common condition treated by ENT specialists and are often associated with chronic sinus inflammation and sinus infections. At SCENT Houston, Dr. Madeleine S. Herman frequently evaluates and treats patients suffering from nasal polyps, chronic sinusitis, nasal obstruction, and loss of smell. What Are Nasal

Ear wax may not be glamorous, but it plays an important role in protecting your ears. Unfortunately, many people accidentally make ear wax problems worse by trying to clean their ears incorrectly. At SCENT Houston, Dr. Madeleine S. Herman frequently treats patients with impacted ear wax, clogged ears, muffled hearing, itching, and ear pressure caused by improper ear cleaning habits. Here’s what you should know about preventing ear wax buildup and keeping your ears healthy. Wh

Madeleine Herman, MD Many patients assume facial pressure or forehead pain must be a sinus headache, especially during allergy season or when congestion is present. However, studies show that most headaches attributed to sinuses are actually migraines. Understanding the difference is important because treatment for sinus headaches and migraines is very different, and misdiagnosis can lead to prolonged symptoms and frustration. At SCENT Houston – Sinus Center & ENT Specialists

Transcript Here If you have ever rolled over in bed or looked upward and suddenly felt like the room was spinning, you may have experienced BPPV. Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) is one of the most common causes of dizziness and vertigo seen by ENT specialists. Although the symptoms can feel alarming, BPPV is usually treatable. At SCENT Houston, Dr. Madeleine S. Herman evaluates patients with dizziness, vertigo, ear disorders, and balance problems to help identify