Have an Ear, Nose, or Throat Issue? Where to Find Help in LA

Every year, more than 27 million Americans seek the expertise of ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialists — many of these visits are by return patients struggling with persistent issues that seem to have no end in sight. If you're one of the many individuals struggling with ongoing problems like difficulty breathing during exercise, sleep apnea, chronic snoring, or relentless sinus congestion, you're not alone. These conditions can significantly impact your quality of life, leaving you frustrated and searching for lasting relief. 

Fortunately, there is hope for those in Los Angeles. By seeing an ENT specialist who uses cutting-edge treatments to tackle the underlying causes of your symptoms, you can escape the cycle of ongoing issues and resume living life to the fullest. 

Read on to learn about effective treatments from the leading ENT specialist in Los Angeles. 

Effective Treatments for Sinus Conditions 

Chronic sinusitis and recurring sinus infections can cause persistent nasal congestion, making it difficult to breathe easily or sleep peacefully. The most effective treatments for persistent sinus conditions include: 

1. Balloon Sinuplasty

This minimally invasive procedure uses a small, flexible balloon catheter to open blocked sinus passages. The balloon is inserted into the sinus cavity and inflated, gently restructuring and widening the walls of the sinus passageway without cutting or removing tissue — ultimately helping to restore normal sinus drainage. 

2. Sinus Surgery

Traditional sinus surgery, also known as functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS), involves removing bone or tissue to enlarge the sinus openings and remove blockages. This procedure uses an endoscope — a thin, lighted tube with a camera — to guide the surgeon. 

3. Image-Guided Sinus Surgery

This is an advanced form of sinus surgery that combines the use of CT scans with real-time endoscopic views. The imaging technology creates a three-dimensional map of the patient's sinuses, which the surgeon can use for navigation during the procedure. This allows for greater precision — especially in complex cases or when operating near critical structures like the brain or eyes. 

Top ENT Solutions for Nasal Problems

Blockage of the nasal passages can make breathing difficult — this can have far-reaching effects on many areas of your life, including how you sleep, eat, exercise, and concentrate during the day. Thankfully, there are several effective treatment options available for constant nasal congestion, including: 

1. Septoplasty

A crooked or off-center septum can block airflow, leading to breathing issues. Septoplasty is a surgical procedure designed to correct a deviated septum, which is the wall of bone and cartilage that divides the nostrils 

2. Sleep Endoscopy

Sleep endoscopy, or drug-induced sleep endoscopy, is a specialized diagnostic procedure ideally conducted by an ENT specialist. It assesses the upper airway during sleep, especially in individuals suffering from sleep apnea or significant snoring. This procedure can help personalized sleep apnea treatment tailored to the patient's specific needs.

3. Turbinate Deduction

Turbinates are structures inside the nose that help to filter, warm, and humidify air as it flows through the nasal passages. Sometimes, these structures can become enlarged, leading to nasal obstruction. Turbinate reduction is a procedure to decrease the size of the turbinates, improving airflow through the nose. This can be done through various methods, including radiofrequency ablation, cauterization, or partial surgical removal.

How Can an ENT Doctor Help Allergies? 

Allergies can significantly impact your quality of life, making simple daily activities challenging. While over-the-counter remedies may offer temporary relief, they often fall short of providing long-term solutions. Modern ENTs offer a range of advanced therapies that go beyond just managing symptoms, including:

1. Allergy Shots

These injections gradually expose patients to increasing amounts of specific allergens, helping the immune system build tolerance over time. This can significantly reduce allergy symptoms and the need for daily medications.

2. Sublingual Immunotherapy Drops

Similar to allergy shots, these drops are placed under the tongue daily. They contain small doses of allergens to build immunity, offering a convenient at-home alternative for patients who prefer to avoid injections.

3. Balloon Sinuplasty

While not a direct allergy treatment, this minimally invasive procedure helps patients whose allergies have led to chronic sinusitis. By using a small balloon to gently expand sinus passages, ENTs can improve drainage and breathing, which can alleviate symptoms exacerbated by allergies.

4. Sinus Surgery

Highly qualified ENT specialists in Los Angeles may recommend this more invasive option for severe cases where allergies have contributed to significant sinus blockages or structural issues. This surgery removes obstructions and can reshape sinus cavities, providing long-term relief from chronic sinus problems often associated with severe allergies.

How Does an ENT Specialist Treat Voice & Throat Problems?

Whether you're dealing with chronic hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, or recurrent throat pain, ENT specialists can use advanced diagnostic techniques to pinpoint the exact cause of your symptoms and offer tailored treatment plans ranging from minimally invasive procedures to comprehensive surgical interventions — including:

1. Digital Videostroboscopy

ENTs can capture detailed images of the vocal folds vibrating at high speeds using a special camera with a strobe light. This helps diagnose subtle abnormalities like nodules, polyps, or cysts on the vocal cords that might be missed with standard examinations. 

2. Microflap Excision

This precise surgical technique removes small lesions on the vocal cords, such as nodules or polyps, using microscopic instruments to create a tiny flap in the outer layer of the vocal cord. Using this technique, a lesion can be removed while the surrounding healthy tissue is preserved. This minimally invasive approach helps maintain or restore normal voice quality and is often used for singers or professionals who rely heavily on their voices.

3. Tonsillectomy

While commonly associated with children, this procedure is also performed on adults for recurring tonsillitis, chronic sore throats, or to address sleep apnea. It includes removing the tonsils, which can eliminate a source of frequent infections and throat discomfort. For some patients, this leads to significant improvements in throat health, breathing, and overall quality of life.

Top Treatments for Ear Problems in Los Angeles

Whether you're dealing with chronic infections, hearing loss, or persistent ringing in your ears, finding effective solutions is crucial. From innovative surgical procedures to cutting-edge therapies, it’s important to find an ENT who offers treatments that are designed to not only alleviate symptoms but also to tackle the root causes of ear problems — such as:

1. Tympanoplasty

This surgical procedure is used to repair a perforated eardrum or reconstruct the small bones in the middle ear. This is done by carefully grafting tissue to close the hole in the eardrum or rebuilding the ossicular chain. This treatment can significantly improve hearing, reduce the risk of recurrent ear infections, and prevent further damage to the middle ear structures.

2. Eustachian Tube Dilation

For patients suffering from chronic Eustachian tube dysfunction, which can cause ear pressure, pain, and hearing issues, this minimally invasive procedure is a beacon of hope. A small balloon is inserted into the Eustachian tube and inflated to widen the passage and improve its function. 

3. Micro-chisel Exostectomy

This technique is primarily used to treat surfer's ear or swimmer's ear, conditions where bony growths narrow the ear canal. Using precise micro-chisels to remove these bony outgrowths, an ENT specialist can widen the ear canal — effectively improving hearing, reducing the risk of trapped water and infections, and preventing the recurrence of painful ear conditions associated with water exposure.

Finding the Best ENT Specialist in Los Angeles for Effective Treatment

If you're struggling with ENT-related issues and seeking a solution that combines expertise, efficiency, and compassion, look no further than Dr. Payam Daneshrad in Los Angeles. As a premier ENT specialist, Dr. Daneshrad stands out for his patient-centric approach and commitment to personalized care. 

Unlike large healthcare systems that can leave patients feeling lost in the shuffle, Dr. Daneshrad offers a highly individualized experience, ensuring that each patient receives the attention they deserve. With his own surgery center and private staff, he provides immediate, life-changing results compassionately and efficiently. 

Whether you're dealing with breathing difficulties, excessive snoring, surfer's ear, or other ENT-related problems, Dr. Daneshrad has the expertise to help. As one of the only providers of drill-less surfer's ear treatment and offering in-house allergy testing, he's equipped to address a wide range of concerns.