Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) in Dallas

Ear, nose, and throat, ENT for short or Otolaryngology, is a medical specialty that focuses on the care and treatment of the ears, nose, and throat. Physicians who specialized in ENT are called otolaryngologists or ENT doctors and are qualified and trained in both the medical and surgical management of the following conditions:

• Conditions of the ear – ENT doctors can help with ear disorders or other issues, such as ear infections, hearing impairment, ear noise (tinnitus), balance disorders, nerve pain, as well as facial and cranial nerve disorders. They can also manage congenital disorders (disorders that are present since birth) of the inner and outer ear. 
• Conditions of the nose – one of the primary skills of ENT doctors in the care of the nose, nasal cavity, and sinuses. They can diagnose, treat, and manage allergies, deviated septum, smell disorders, sinusitis, polyps, and nasal obstruction because of a deviated septum. They can also perform rhinoplasty surgery to correct the appearance of the nose.
• Conditions of the throat – disorders, and conditions that affect the throat, larynx (voice box), and the esophagus or upper aero-digestive tract can be diagnosed and treated by ENT doctors, including voice and swallowing disorders. 
• ENT-related conditions of the head and neck – ENT doctors are trained to treat infectious diseases, tumors, trauma, and deformities of the head, face, and neck. They can also manage problems with the nerves in these areas that control smelling, sight, hearing, and facial movements. In addition, they can perform cosmetic and reconstructive surgery to the head and neck area.

The procedures that ENT doctors perform include, but are not limited to:

• Tympanostomy
• Myringoplasty
• Tympanoplasty
• Stapedectomy
• Tympanomastoidectomy
• Laryngoplasty
• Esophagoscopy
• Laryngoscopy
• Microlaryngoscopy
• Septoplasty
• Nasal valve reconstruction
• Nasal fracture reduction
• Rhinoplasty
• Functional endoscopic sinus surgery
• Parotidectomy
• Neck mass biopsy
• Submandibular gland removal
• Airway reconstruction
• Tonsillectomy
• Adenoidectomy
• Thyroidectomy
• Parathyroidectomy.

How Long Should I Stay in Dallas?

Your length of stay depends on your condition and the type of treatment you underwent. For surgical procedures, you may need to stay in the hospital for a few days or you can leave the hospital immediately. However, it is advisable that you stay in Dallas for at least 2 weeks or until your ENT doctor says it is safe to travel home. This is because the change in the aircraft’s cabin pressure can cause problems with the surgical site. During your stay, you also need to attend a follow-up appointment where your doctor will remove the stitches (if necessary) and monitor your healing progress.

What's the Expected Recovery Time?

Your ENT doctor will give you a specific recovery timeline, including when you can resume your normal activity and return to work. In general, you need to avoid all activities that may increase blood pressure in your head area for at least 3 weeks. You also need to avoid strenuous activity for at least two weeks. 

What Aftercare is Required?

Your ENT doctor will give you instructions on how to protect the health of your ear, nose, and throat, as well as how to prevent your disease from reoccurring or complications. Make sure to follow all the instructions closely. Depending on your specific condition, you may be required to attend regular checkups. In most cases, you have the choice to have regular checkups with your local doctor at home or with your ENT doctor in Dallas.

What's the Success Rate?

The continuous advancement of ENT has increased the success rate of ENT procedures. While there are no general statistics for all ENT procedures, most procedures are proven to be safe and highly successful. For example, the success rate of tympanoplasty is around 90%. Risks and side effects of ENT procedures depend on the specific procedure and the health status of the patient. All surgical procedures generally carry the risk of bleeding, infection, and an adverse reaction to the anesthetic.

Are there Alternatives?

In most cases, there is no alternative to ENT when you have problems with your ear, nose, and throat. However, depending on your condition, your ENT doctor may work with or refer you to a relevant specialist.

Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) in and around Dallas

About Dallas

Dallas, or nicknamed as the Big D, is a metropolitan city located in North Texas. The city is known for its massive excellent museums, youthful vibe, edgy culture, and distinctive neighborhoods. Thanks to its charming attractions combined with world-class medical centers, the city is now a rising medical tourism destination. Additionally, the expansion of the medical district in Northwest Dallas has contributed to the city’s popularity as a medical destination. The district is home to numerous significant hospitals and institutions, such as UT Southwestern Medical Center and Parkland Memorial Hospital. More and more people, both from other cities in the United States or from other countries in the world, come to Dallas to get treatment with modern medical equipment, professional doctors, and world-class medical centers. Among the surgeries and treatments available, lung treatment is the most sought-after procedure.

Popular Areas in Dallas

• Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Garden is 66 acres of lush nature that showcases beautiful plants and flowers in themed areas. It has 19 gardens to explore, such as the Woman’s Garden, DeGolyer Gardens, Sunken Garden Crape Myrtle Alee, and Nancy’s Garden. Autumn at the Arboretum is Dallas’ Favorite Tradition during the fall that visitors should not miss. During spring, Pink Hyacinths with violas and daffodils bloom in the gardens, and the whole arboretum is packed with visitors and the nearby streets are closed.
• Nasher Sculpture Center is a museum that houses the Patsy and Raymond Nasher collection of modern and contemporary sculpture. Together, they accumulated one of the most comprehensive private collections in the world. Tourists can admire masterpieces such as works by Alexander Calder, Alberto Giacometti, Henri Matisse, Paul Gaugin, and Willem de Kooning, among others. Designed by architect Renzo Piano, the building itself is a work of art.
• Pioneer Plaza is the biggest open space in Dallas as well as one of the most visited tourist sites in the city. It is surrounded by super detailed sculptures of cattle, trees, and flowers that are native to the area. Tourists can find a small waterfall and creek in the area. There is also an early period cemetery from the 1800s where former Dallas mayors and Texas Revolution leaders are buried. It is truly the place that honors the tradition and culture of Texas.
• Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza is located in the former Texas School Book Depository, which is the very spot where Lee Harvey Oswald, according to government investigations, shot and killed President John F. Kennedy. The museum uses historic films, photographs, artifacts, and interpretive display to exhibit the social and political landscape of the early 1960s, the assassination of President Kennedy and its aftermath, as well as the legacy that he left behind.

Weather and Climate in Dallas

June to August is Summer in Dallas, and the temperatures can soar to over 30 °C. In addition to the heat, the high humidity levels will make the weather feel unbearable. However, it is the most popular time to visit the city. Autumn brings cooler and pleasant weather to the city. The temperatures can drop to 21 °C, and the city will be less crowded than the summer. Winter starts in December and ends in February. Average daytime highs are around 10 °C, but there are days with below-freezing temperatures. The city may also receive a few days of snowfall. From Mach to May is spring and the temperatures are rising to 21 °C, but there is a lot of rain during this season. 

Getting Around in Dallas

The primary international airport is the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. It is the ninth busiest international gateway in the United States and operates flights to and from many cities around the world, including London, Dubai, and Tokyo. It is the largest hub for American Airlines, and several budget airlines serve flights from this airport, such as Spirit Airlines and Sun Country Airlines.  

The city has a light rail system that connects the downtown with many other areas in the city. It is operated by Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) and features four lines (Red, Orange, Green, and Blue) servicing 64 stations. The trains run from 5.00 AM to midnight. There is also another train system known as the Trinity Railway Express (TRE) that connects Dallas and Fort Worth. The TRE trains from Fort Worth and Dallas operate from 5.00 AM to 11.00 PM from Monday to Friday. Dallas Area Rapid Transit also operates an extensive bus system that serves 11,000 stops throughout central Dallas and the Metroplex. Taxis are the easiest way to get around the city, especially for first-time visitors as they are relatively inexpensive with an initial charge of $5 and then $3 for each mile.  

Tourists Visas in Dallas

Canada, Marshall Island, Micronesia, Palau, and Bermuda are given visa exemption access to enter the United States. Holders of passports issued by 38 countries, such as Australia, Singapore, and the United Kingdom, are selected for the Visa Waiver Program, which means they can enter without a visa. Other countries not listed in the visa exemption and visa waiver program need to apply and obtain a visa to enter the country. All visitors may stay for up to 90 days. It is advisable to check the visa policy at your nearest United States Embassy.

Additional Information

1. Local Currency: The official currency is the US dollar ($). It is considered as a global currency used in many international transactions.
2. Money & Payments: ATMs are easy to find, commonly at airports, banks, malls, gas stations, and convenience stores. Credit and debit cards are widely accepted and usually required for reservations. Since service employees make minimum wage, tipping is essential.
3. Local Language: English is the most widely spoken language, and more than 29% of the residents speak Spanish. 
4. Local Culture and Religion: Around 55% of the population is religious. Christianity is the largest religion in Dallas, followed by Islam, Judaism, and eastern faith. 
5. Public Holidays: New Year’s Day, Texas Independence Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas are some of the major public holidays in Dallas. The city hosts numerous annual festivals such as Scarborough Renaissance Festival and Texas State Fair.