Houston ENT and Allergy Blog

  Laryngitis is where your larynx (voice box) becomes inflamed due to irritation, overuse or infection. You can have acute (short-lived) laryngitis or chronic (long-lasting) laryngitis. Either way, the symptoms can interfere with your daily life.  Here you'll learn the definition and differences of acute vs chronic laryngitis in terms of symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.   What is Acute Laryngitis? Acute laryngitis usually is a short-lived illness that produces a sore throat and hoarseness. Often, it's caused by an upper respiratory tract infection.  It typically lasts for around three to seven days. It might have infectious causes or non-infectious causes like straining the vocal cords by overusing your voice or gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD) could cause it which is known as reflux laryngitis. … Read More

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View Video Hoarseness is a presentation doctors see in primary care and ear, nose and throat practices, and is the reason for around one percent of all primary care consultations. It's important to know hoarseness isn't a disease in itself, but rather a symptom.   What is a Hoarse Voice (Hoarseness)? Hoarseness, or dysphonia, is where you have an abnormal change in your voice quality, which makes it sound: Strained Raspy Breathy Lower or higher in pitch Weak Fatigued Inconsistent It often makes it difficult for you to talk. This typically occurs when you have a problem in the vocal cords of your larynx (voice box) which produces sound. When you breathe your vocal cords (folds) are separated, however, when you make a noise, they come together and they vibrate when the air is leaving your lungs. Hoarseness results when anything alters the closure or vibration of your vocal cords.… Read More

View Video   Laryngitis is a condition many individuals have dealt with at some point in their lives. Most laryngitis cases are temporary, improving once the underlying cause becomes better, however, some people do end up with chronic laryngitis. In their lifetime, it's thought that 21 percent of the population might develop chronic laryngitis. In some cases, an infection causes it could spread to other areas of your respiratory tract.… Read More

  As you age, hearing loss and dementia become more common. Research shows this isn't just a coincidence. There is a strong connection between hearing loss and dementia, Alzheimer's and other dementias.… Read More

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Nasal congestion and blockage affect many people. There can be a number of causes of nasal blockage and it can affect your quality of life causing minor problems like a sore nose and dry mouth to more serious problems like trouble sleeping and problems hearing. If you're struggling with nasal congestion, don't hesitate to find out the cause and receive treatment.… Read More

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A salivary gland tumor or parotid tumor is cancer beginning in one of your salivary glands. It's not just a single disease. You actually have various salivary glands near and inside your mouth. Many types of-cancerous (benign) tumors and cancer can develop in these salivary glands.… Read More

  There are nearly 67 million people in the U.S. who suffer from allergies. Of those, nearly 81 percent report specific allergies to pollen. For those suffering from pollen allergies in Houston, allergy season is long and unforgiving, often lasting from January through September. That is in addition to the many other allergens that are far too common in and around Houston.… Read More