Sinus & Nasal Conditions
At SCENT Houston – Sinus Center & ENT Specialists of Houston, we diagnose and treat a wide range of sinus and nasal conditions that can affect your breathing, sleep, and quality of life. From chronic sinus infections and nasal congestion to deviated septums, nasal polyps, and allergies, our goal is to identify the underlying cause of your symptoms and create a personalized treatment plan to help you breathe better and feel better.
Chronic Sinus Disease/
Sinus Infections
If you struggle with constant nasal congestion, sinus pressure, thick drainage, postnasal drip, headaches, or a decreased sense of smell, chronic sinusitis may be the cause. Chronic sinusitis occurs when the sinuses remain inflamed for 12 weeks or longer and can make it difficult to breathe comfortably, sleep well, and feel your best.
At SCENT Houston – Sinus Center & ENT Specialists of Houston, we provide comprehensive evaluation and treatment for chronic sinusitis in Houston. Dr. Madeleine Herman uses advanced diagnostic tools, including nasal endoscopy and in-office sinus CT imaging, when appropriate, to identify the cause of persistent or recurrent sinus symptoms. Treatment is personalized and may include medications, allergy management, or procedures such as balloon sinuplasty or endoscopic sinus surgery for patients who do not improve with medical therapy.
You don't have to keep living with chronic sinus pressure and congestion. Schedule an appointment with a Houston sinus specialist at SCENT Houston to find out what's causing your symptoms and explore treatment options designed to help you breathe better.
What is a Deviated Septum?
A deviated nasal septum occurs when the wall separating the two sides of the nose is crooked or displaced, narrowing the nasal airway and making it harder to breathe.
Nasal Obstruction Septal Deviation
If you have trouble breathing through your nose, constant nasal congestion, difficulty sleeping, snoring, or one side of your nose always feels blocked, a deviated septum or another structural problem may be the cause. At SCENT Houston – Sinus Center & ENT Specialists of Houston, we specialize in diagnosing and treating nasal obstruction and deviated septums in Houston.
Dr. Madeleine Herman performs a comprehensive nasal evaluation to determine whether your symptoms are caused by a deviated septum, enlarged turbinates, nasal valve narrowing, allergies, chronic inflammation, or a combination of factors. Depending on the cause and severity of your nasal obstruction, treatment may include medications, nasal sprays, septoplasty, turbinate reduction, or other procedures designed to improve nasal airflow.
If a constantly stuffy or blocked nose is interfering with your breathing, exercise, or sleep, we can help determine why. Schedule an evaluation with a Houston ENT and nasal specialist at SCENT Houston and learn about your options for breathing better.
Nasal Polyps
Nasal polyps are soft, noncancerous growths that develop inside the nose and sinuses as a result of chronic inflammation. They can cause persistent nasal congestion, difficulty breathing through the nose, decreased or lost sense of smell, sinus pressure, postnasal drip, and recurrent sinus
infections. Nasal polyps are often associated with chronic sinusitis and may continue to cause symptoms despite allergy medications or nasal sprays.
At SCENT Houston – Sinus Center & ENT Specialists of Houston, we provide comprehensive diagnosis and treatment for nasal polyps in Houston. Dr. Madeleine Herman can evaluate the nasal passages and sinuses using nasal endoscopy and in-office sinus CT imaging, when appropriate, to determine the extent of the polyps and underlying sinus inflammation.
Treatment may include prescription nasal sprays, medications, biologic therapies, or endoscopic sinus surgery and nasal polyp removal for patients with persistent or severe disease.
If chronic congestion or loss of smell is affecting your daily life, nasal polyps could be the cause. Schedule an evaluation with a Houston sinus specialist at SCENT Houston to get an accurate diagnosis and a personalized treatment plan to help you breathe—and smell—better.
Nasal Allergies
If you experience constant nasal congestion, sneezing, runny nose, postnasal drip, itchy or watery eyes, or frequent throat clearing, allergic or chronic rhinitis may be the cause. Allergic rhinitis occurs when the immune system reacts to allergens such as pollen, mold, dust mites, or pet dander, while nonallergic or vasomotor rhinitis can cause similar symptoms from triggers such as weather changes, strong odors, smoke, or temperature changes. In Houston, our long allergy seasons and high levels of environmental allergens can make nasal symptoms particularly difficult to control.
At SCENT Houston – Sinus Center & ENT Specialists of Houston, we diagnose and treat allergic rhinitis, chronic rhinitis, and persistent nasal congestion in Houston. Dr. Madeleine Herman evaluates your symptoms to determine whether allergies, chronic nasal inflammation, structural nasal problems, sinus disease, or a combination of factors is contributing to your symptoms. Treatment may include nasal sprays, antihistamines, allergy testing and treatment, trigger management, or additional therapies for patients with persistent chronic or nonallergic rhinitis.
You don't have to accept a constantly stuffy or runny nose as normal. Schedule an evaluation with a Houston ENT specialist at SCENT Houston to identify what's triggering your symptoms and find a treatment plan that provides lasting relief.
Enlarged Turbinates
(Turbinate Hypertrophy)
If your nose feels constantly stuffy or blocked, even when you don't have a cold or sinus infection, enlarged turbinates may be contributing to your symptoms. The turbinates are normal structures inside the nose that help warm, humidify, and filter the air you breathe. When they become chronically swollen—a condition known as turbinate hypertrophy—they can restrict airflow and cause nasal congestion, difficulty breathing through the nose, mouth breathing, snoring, and trouble sleeping.
At SCENT Houston – Sinus Center & ENT Specialists of Houston, we evaluate and treat enlarged turbinates and chronic nasal obstruction in Houston. Dr. Madeleine Herman can determine whether turbinate hypertrophy, a deviated septum, allergies, chronic rhinitis, or another nasal condition is causing your breathing problems. Treatment may include nasal sprays, allergy treatment, and other medical therapies. For persistent symptoms that do not improve with medication, turbinate reduction can reduce excess tissue while preserving the turbinates' important function and improving nasal airflow.
If you're tired of feeling like you can't get enough air through your nose, we can help identify the cause. Schedule an evaluation with a Houston ENT and nasal specialist at SCENT Houston to learn whether enlarged turbinates are affecting your breathing and which treatment options may help.
Recurrent Sinus Infections
If you seem to develop a sinus infection over and over again, there may be an underlying reason your symptoms keep returning. Recurrent sinus infections can cause facial pressure or pain, nasal congestion, thick or discolored drainage, postnasal drip, headaches, cough, and decreased sense of smell. While an occasional sinus infection is common, frequent episodes may be related to chronic inflammation, allergies, a deviated septum, narrowed sinus drainage pathways, nasal polyps, or other conditions affecting the nose and sinuses.
At SCENT Houston – Sinus Center & ENT Specialists of Houston, we specialize in evaluating and treating recurrent sinus infections in Houston. Dr. Madeleine Herman looks beyond simply treating each infection to determine why your sinus infections keep coming back. When appropriate, evaluation may include nasal endoscopy and in-office sinus CT imaging to identify inflammation, structural problems, or blocked sinus drainage pathways. Treatment is tailored to the underlying cause and may include medications, allergy treatment, or procedures such as balloon sinuplasty or endoscopic sinus surgery for appropriate patients with persistent or recurrent disease.
If you are repeatedly taking antibiotics or dealing with sinus infections that keep returning, it may be time for a more comprehensive evaluation. Schedule an appointment with a Houston sinus specialist at SCENT Houston to find out what's causing your recurrent sinus infections and explore options for longer-lasting relief.