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 nose. Let's take...

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), it is known as...

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 to your sense of...