Chronic ear, nose, and throat (ENT) disorders and relief with Kaplan Sinus Relief

Without proper treatment, chronic ear, nose, and throat disorders can become a constant disruptor of your daily life, causing everything from poor sleep to constant discomfort. If you’ve been experiencing: 

• Persistent sinus pain
• Severely itchy ears and throat
• Difficulty breathing
• Recurring ear infection symptoms
• Or ongoing allergy symptoms that don’t respond to over-the-counter treatments

It may be time to see Dr. Michael Kaplan, founding doctor of Kaplan Sinus Relief. Dr. Kaplan specializes in providing personalized care to help alleviate your symptoms and improve your quality of life.

Take the first step towards renewed comfort and improved well-being by scheduling an appointment with us today.

How are the ears, nose, and throat connected?

The ear, nose, and throat anatomy works together like a team, with your sinuses playing a big part in this partnership. Understanding the nose/throat/ear connection can help explain why ENT issues often affect multiple areas at the same time.
The eustachian tubes connect your middle ears to your throat, helping to control ear pressure and drain fluids. Meanwhile, your nasal passages and sinuses are linked to your throat via the back of your nose. This complex arrangement means that infections or inflammation in one area can easily spread to others.

For instance, sinus infections may lead to ear pain or throat discomfort due to this interconnectedness. Similarly, allergies affecting your nasal passages can result in ear congestion or a sore throat. (Learn more about the connection between a sinus infection and ear infection)

This is why comprehensive care from an ENT doctor like Dr. Kaplan at Kaplan Sinus Relief is often necessary to address the root cause of your symptoms and provide effective relief across all affected areas.

Symptoms of ENT problems

When your ears, nose, and throat aren’t feeling right, you might notice everything from ear infection symptoms to symptoms of eustachian tube dysfunction and sinus infection symptoms.

Here is a breakdown of common symptoms for ENT related disorders:

If you’re dealing with any of these symptoms, it’s important to get treatment quickly. This might include ear infection treatment like medicine to fight the infection or reduce pain. Sometimes, the treatment for a sinus problem can also help with ear issues because of how connected everything is. Remember, taking care of one area often helps the others feel better too!

How can an ENT specialist help?

At Kaplan Sinus Relief, we offer a range of advanced treatments in Houston to address various ear, nose, and throat disorders. Dr. Kaplan specializes in minimally invasive procedures that can provide significant relief from chronic symptoms. Here are some of the ways we can help:

Eustachian tube balloon dilation

Eustachian tube balloon dilation is an innovative procedure that can help relieve ear pressure and improve hearing for those suffering from chronic eustachian tube dysfunction. It’s a quick, in-office treatment that can make a big difference in your ear health.

Here’s how eustachian tube balloon dilation works:

1. A small, flexible balloon catheter is inserted through your nose into the eustachian tube.
2. The balloon is then gently inflated, expanding the tube.
3. This expansion helps to clear blockages and improve the tube’s function.
4. The balloon is then deflated and removed.
5. This can help relieve ear pressure, improve hearing, and reduce ear infections.

Balloon sinuplasty

Balloon sinuplasty is a minimally invasive procedure that can open up blocked sinus passages, improving drainage and reducing sinus pain and pressure for patients with chronic sinusitis. It’s a gentle alternative to traditional sinus surgery with faster recovery times and it’s done right in our office. 

The process for balloon sinuplasty is similar to eustachian tube dilation:

1. A small balloon catheter is inserted into the blocked sinus passage.
2. The balloon is inflated to gently restructure and widen the sinus opening.
3. Saline is sprayed into the sinus to flush out mucus and other debris.
4. The balloon is then deflated and removed.
5. This procedure can improve sinus drainage and relieve sinus pressure and pain.

Allergy testing

Many ENT issues are triggered or worsened by allergies. We offer comprehensive allergy testing in Houston to identify your specific triggers and develop a personalized treatment plan, which may include immunotherapy or balloon sinuplasty for allergies to reduce your sensitivity to allergens over time.

There are two types of allergy tests we conduct:

Skin Prick Test:

• Small amounts of potential allergens are placed on your skin.
• The skin is then gently pricked to allow the substance to enter.
• If you’re allergic, a small bump or redness will appear at the site.

Blood Test:

• A blood sample is taken and tested for antibodies to specific allergens.

Come to Kaplan Sinus Relief for effective treatment of ENT disorders in Houston!

At Kaplan Sinus Relief, we offer the best in ENT care in Houston. Dr. Michael Kaplan brings extensive expertise to treat a wide range of ear, nose, and throat disorders using advanced, minimally invasive techniques. Our comprehensive approach addresses root causes through cutting-edge procedures like balloon sinuplasty and eustachian tube dilation, performed conveniently in our office.

Whether you’re dealing with chronic sinusitis, recurring ear infections, or persistent allergies, we’re here to help you find lasting relief and improve your quality of life.

Don’t let ENT problems hold you back from enjoying life to the fullest. Schedule an appointment with us today to take the first step towards better health and comfort!