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

Dr. Madeleine Herman, MD Difficulty breathing through the nose is one of the most common reasons patients see an ENT specialist. A frequent cause is a deviated septum, a structural problem inside the nose that can significantly impact airflow, sleep quality, sinus health, and overall quality of life. Septoplasty is a surgical procedure that straightens the nasal septum to improve breathing and relieve symptoms of nasal obstruction. At SCENT Houston – Sinus Center & ENT Specia

If you struggle with chronic nasal congestion, sinus pressure, sneezing, itchy eyes, or post-nasal drip , allergies may be the underlying cause. Allergy testing helps identify exact triggers so treatment can be targeted and effective — often reducing the need for repeated medications or ongoing symptoms. At SCENT Houston – Sinus Center & ENT Specialists of Houston , allergy testing is often part of a comprehensive ENT evaluation, especially when symptoms overlap with sinus i

Surgery Ear tube surgery , also called tympanostomy tube placement , is one of the most common ENT procedures performed in children. Ear tubes help treat recurrent ear infections, chronic middle ear fluid, hearing problems, and speech delays caused by poor ventilation of the middle ear. Parents often feel anxious about surgery, but ear tube placement is a quick, safe, and highly effective procedure that can significantly improve a child’s comfort, hearing, and development.

Allergy season can cause frustrating symptoms like nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, itchy eyes, postnasal drip, sinus pressure, fatigue, and poor sleep. In Houston, seasonal allergies can begin early and last for months due to high levels of tree pollen, grass pollen, mold, and environmental allergens. This ENT allergy season survival guide explains how to prevent symptoms, which treatments work best, and when to seek care for persistent nasal and sinus problems. Commo

Madeleine Herman, MD Nosebleeds (Epistaxis): Causes, Treatment, and When to See an ENT Specialist Nosebleeds , also called epistaxis , are very common and can happen at any age. While most nosebleeds are mild and easily treated at home, frequent or severe bleeding may indicate nasal dryness, irritation, allergies, sinus inflammation, or underlying medical conditions . Understanding why nosebleeds occur and how to treat them can help prevent recurrence and reduce anxiety when

If you suffer from nasal allergies , you may feel overwhelmed by the many medication options available. Patients commonly ask which treatments work best for nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, itchy nose, postnasal drip, and sinus pressure . The truth is that not all medications are equally effective — and the right choice depends on your specific symptoms and underlying causes. As an ENT specialist in Houston , I frequently help patients choose the most effective medicat