Dr. Madeleine S. Herman, MD What Is a Tonsillectomy? A tonsillectomy is a surgical procedure to remove the tonsils — the two lymphoid tissues located at the back of the throat. Tonsils help fight infection in early childhood, but in many patients they become more harmful than helpful due to repeated infections, airway obstruction, or chronic inflammation. Tonsillectomy is one of the most common ENT surgeries performed in both children and adults and can significantly improve quality of life...

Dr. Madeleine Herman, MD Why are spring allergies so bad in Houston? Houston’s warm climate, high humidity, and long growing season create ideal conditions for pollen and mold. Tree pollens (like oak, ash, and cedar), grass pollen, and mold spores often overlap, making symptoms more intense and longer-lasting than in many other cities. When does spring allergy season start in Houston? Spring allergy season in Houston often begins as early as February  and can last through May or even longer ....

Mouth taping has become a popular social media trend for snoring, dry mouth, and “optimizing” sleep. The idea is simple: tape your mouth closed at night to force nasal breathing. But here’s the problem:If your nose doesn’t work well, taping your mouth shut doesn’t fix the cause — it hides the symptom. As an ENT, I can tell you this with confidence: Improving nasal breathing is always better than relying on mouth tape. Let’s talk about why. Why Nasal Breathing Matters Your nose is designed for...