Alfredo Jimenez, MD is an ENT Specialist practicing at Houston Methodist ENT Specialties in Houston, TX. He is a trusted local provider registered with The Texas Medical Board and dedicated to providing comprehensive ENT care in accordance with the Texas Occupations Code, Title 3, Subtitle B (Medical Practice Act). ENT specialists, also known as otolaryngologists, are medical doctors and surgeons who diagnose and treat a wide array of ear, nose, throat, head, and neck conditions, from common issues like sinus infections and hearing loss to complex cases such as head and neck cancers, often working in collaboration with your primary care physician. He serves all ages and is currently welcoming new patients. Please call (832) 783-1170 to schedule an appointment.
Dr. Alfredo Jimenez, MD is a head & neck surgery otolaryngologist in Houston, TX with over 50 years of experience in the medical field. With such extensive experience, he brings a wealth of clinical knowledge and care to his patients. He has extensive experience in Upper Respiratory Conditions. Dr. Jimenez graduated from the Institute of Superior Medical Science of Havana in 1974 and completed an internship at Memorial Hermann Hospital, and University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX (1991). He subsequently completed residency training in ENT Specialists at University of Texas Houston, and Memorial Hermann Hospital, Houston, TX (1994). He is Board Certified in Otolaryngology by the American Board of Otolaryngology, and Board Certified in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery by the American Board of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery. He is affiliated with medical facilities such as Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital and HCA Houston Healthcare Pearland. Thanks to my father, who was an otolaryngologist, this profession has been my focus since I was a child. Working with pediatric patients is an area I especially enjoy, though I am committed to providing the right care for every patient - at every age. Dr. Jimenez offers consultations in Spanish.
A strong patient-provider partnership is the foundation of effective healthcare. Dr. Jimenez is committed to being a partner in your health journey, focusing on practical strategies to protect your health and well-being.
Dr. Jimenez's approach to ENT care emphasizes comprehensive evaluation and personalized treatment plans. He meticulously diagnoses and addresses a wide spectrum of ear, nose, throat, head, and neck issues, from routine concerns to complex conditions. His patient-centered care prioritizes clear communication and collaboration, ensuring patients fully understand their diagnosis and treatment options, ultimately leading to positive health outcomes.
By working together, you and Dr. Jimenez can create a clear, actionable plan that respects your individual needs and healthcare goals.
Specific Plans Accepted
Aetna
Assurant Health
Blue Cross Blue Shield
Cigna
Coventry Health Care
Curative
Humana
Also Accepts These Carriers
- Anthem
- Blue Card
- Blue Card PPO
- Blue Choice
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield
- Buckeye Community Health Plan
- CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Curative EPO
- Curative PPO
- Curative PPO Plus
- First Health
- First Health (Coventry Health Care)
- First Health (Coventry Health Care) PPO
- HealthyBlue Advantage
- Medicaid
- Medicare
- Midwest Health Plan
- MultiPlan
- MultiPlan PPO
- National (BlueCard) PPO
- United Healthcare
- UnitedHealthCare
As your primary healthcare provider, Dr. Jimenez offers expert diagnosis and management for a wide range of common health conditions. Common areas of focus include:
- Chronic Pharyngitis: Chronic pharyngitis is a persistent sore throat lasting more than three weeks, and an ENT doctor can diagnose the cause and recommend treatment to relieve discomfort.
- Sleep Apnea: Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder where breathing repeatedly stops and starts, and an ENT doctor can diagnose and treat it with various methods, including surgery.
- Nasal Polyp: If you have persistent nasal congestion and a runny nose due to nasal polyps, an ENT doctor can provide diagnosis and treatment options, such as medication or surgery.
- Vocal Cord Paralysis: A loss of movement in your vocal cords, causing voice problems, is called vocal cord paralysis; an ENT doctor is the specialist to see for diagnosis and treatment, which might involve surgery or other interventions.
- Cholesteatoma: An ENT doctor diagnoses and treats cholesteatomas, abnormal skin tissue growths in the middle ear, often requiring surgery to avoid hearing loss.
- Thyroid Cancer: ENT surgeons are specialists in head and neck surgery, including procedures to remove thyroid cancer, a cancer originating in the gland located in your neck.
- Trigeminal Neuralgia: Severe, sudden facial pain is a sign of trigeminal neuralgia, a condition an ENT specialist can treat using various methods.
- Chronic Rhinitis: If you have a persistently stuffy or runny nose, it might be chronic rhinitis; an ENT specialist can diagnose the cause and recommend treatments to improve your breathing.
- Acute Pharyngitis: Acute pharyngitis is a sudden sore throat, often caused by a viral or bacterial infection, and an ENT doctor can diagnose it and recommend treatment like rest and medication.
- Cleft Lip and Palate: Cleft lip and/or palate are birth defects affecting the mouth's structure, requiring the expertise of an ENT surgeon for surgical repair and related follow-up care.
- Salivary Gland Stones and Inflammation: Painful lumps near your jaw or cheek could be salivary gland stones or inflammation, which an ENT doctor can diagnose and treat with medication or surgery.
- Pharyngitis: A persistent sore throat, or pharyngitis, can be assessed by an ENT doctor who can determine the underlying cause and offer appropriate treatment plans to relieve your symptoms.
This list represents some of the common conditions treated. An accurate diagnosis and a personalized care plan can only be developed through a direct consultation with a qualified medical professional.
To provide comprehensive and patient-centered care, Dr. Jimenez offers a range of services designed to diagnose, manage, and treat various health concerns:
- Ear Surgery: Depending on the diagnosis, ear surgery can help improve hearing, relieve pain, and prevent further complications related to ear infections or other ear disorders.
- Sinus Surgery: Sinus surgery involves minimally invasive techniques to open blocked sinus passages and improve breathing, often leading to long-term relief from sinus problems.
- Nasal Septum Surgery (Septoplasty): A deviated nasal septum can make breathing difficult; septoplasty corrects this by straightening the nasal cartilage and bone.
- Adenoidectomy: An adenoidectomy is a surgery to take out the adenoids, helping to clear your airways and potentially reduce the frequency of ear or sinus infections.
- Ablation or Excision of Nasal Turbinates: This surgery targets enlarged tissue in the nose (nasal turbinates) that may be causing breathing difficulties, improving airflow and nasal breathing.
- Hearing Screening: A hearing screening is a quick test to check how well you hear different sounds.
- Laryngoscopy and Laryngotomy: Laryngoscopy uses a thin, flexible tube with a camera to examine your voice box (larynx) to diagnose problems like vocal cord nodules or polyps.
- Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES): FEES is a diagnostic test that helps doctors determine why you're having difficulty swallowing, such as after a stroke or surgery.
- Audiometry: This test helps your doctor pinpoint the type and degree of your hearing loss, guiding treatment decisions.
- Ear Tube Placement: Ear tube placement is a minor surgical procedure to insert small tubes into the eardrums, helping drain fluid and improve hearing in children with recurring ear infections.
- Endoscopic Sinus Surgery: If medications haven't helped your sinus issues, endoscopic sinus surgery offers a precise way to clear blockages and restore normal sinus function.
- Intranasal or Sinus Procedure: This procedure involves accessing the sinuses or nasal cavity through the nostrils to diagnose or treat problems like infections or blockages.
Service availability can change. To understand which services are appropriate for your specific health needs, please schedule a consultation to develop a personalized care plan.
All medical services are provided in accordance with the standard scope of practice for their professional license in Texas.
Dr. Jimenez is dedicated to partnering with patients to achieve their unique health objectives. The following examples illustrate how proactive care can make a tangible difference in a patient's life:
- After receiving a clear diagnosis and personalized treatment plan from an ENT specialist, a patient experienced significant relief from their persistent sore throat, successfully managing their chronic pharyngitis. They found lasting comfort and improved quality of life.
- After receiving a clear diagnosis and personalized treatment plan from the ENT specialist, the patient experienced significant improvements in their sleep quality and energy levels, successfully managing their sleep apnea.
These scenarios are illustrative examples of positive health outcomes. Individual results vary and depend on many factors. He will work with you to define and achieve your personal health goals.
- Primary Location:
Houston Methodist ENT Specialties
18100 Houston Methodist Dr Ste 220, Houston, TX, 77058
Phone: (832) 783-1170
View on Map - Houston Methodist ENT & Facial Plastic Surgery Associates
18100 Houston Methodist Dr Ste 240, Houston, TX, 77058
Phone: (832) 783-1170
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- University Tex Houston (Residency Hospital)
- Memorial Hermann Hospital (Internship Hospital)
- Memorial Hermann Hospital, Houston, Texas (Residency Hospital) - 1994
- University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, Texas (Internship Hospital) - 1991
- Institute of Superior Medical Science of Havana (Medical School) - 1974
- Instituto Superior de Ciencias Medicas de La Habana (Medical School) - 1974
- American Board of Otolaryngology (Otolaryngology)
- American Board of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery)
Here are answers to some common questions about receiving ENT care with Dr. Jimenez:
- What kind of conditions does an ENT specialist treat?
- Dr. Jimenez, an otolaryngologist, is a medical doctor and surgeon who treats a wide range of conditions affecting the head and neck. He specializes in ear problems (infections, hearing loss, dizziness), nasal and sinus issues (allergies, sinusitis, breathing problems), and throat conditions (voice disorders, swallowing problems, tonsillitis). Dr. Jimenez also has expertise in thyroid surgery and head/neck tumors.
- Do I need a referral to see an ENT?
- Dr. Jimenez's office accepts most insurance plans. However, some, like HMOs, require a referral from your primary care physician. To avoid any potential issues, please check with your insurance provider about their referral requirements before scheduling an appointment.
- What is sleep apnea and how can an ENT help?
- Sleep apnea is a condition where the airway repeatedly collapses during sleep, causing pauses in breathing. Dr. Jimenez, an ENT specialist, can examine the entire airway to identify areas of blockage and offer treatments, including surgery, that other sleep specialists may not provide.
- Is it normal for my voice to be hoarse for a long time?
- Hoarseness from a cold or overuse should improve within a couple of weeks. If hoarseness persists longer than 2-3 weeks, it's important to see Dr. Jimenez for evaluation. He can perform a laryngoscopy to identify the cause, which could range from acid reflux to vocal cord issues.
- I found a lump in my neck. What should I do?
- While many neck lumps are benign, like swollen lymph nodes from an infection, any persistent lump warrants a professional evaluation. Dr. Jimenez is an expert in diagnosing head and neck masses and can perform a thorough examination, including a biopsy if needed, to determine the cause.
- I have frequent sinus infections. When should I see an ENT instead of my primary care doctor?
- If your sinus infections are chronic (lasting more than 12 weeks), recurrent (4 or more times a year), or haven't improved with your primary care doctor's treatment, you should see an ENT like Dr. Jimenez. An ENT can perform a nasal endoscopy to better evaluate the situation and identify the underlying cause.
- What is the difference between dizziness and vertigo?
- Dizziness is a general feeling of lightheadedness or unsteadiness. Vertigo is a type of dizziness, specifically a spinning sensation as if you or the room is moving. Dr. Jimenez can perform tests to diagnose the cause of vertigo, which often originates in the inner ear.
- My child gets a lot of ear infections. Do they need ear tubes?
- Ear tubes (tympanostomy tubes) are often recommended for children with recurrent middle ear infections or persistent fluid in the ear that affects hearing. The tiny tubes help ventilate the middle ear and prevent fluid buildup. Dr. Jimenez can evaluate your child to see if they are a good candidate for this common and safe procedure.
Houston Methodist ENT Specialties
18100 Houston Methodist Dr Ste 220
Houston TX 77058
Phone: (832) 783-1170
Alfredo Jimenez, MD is regulated by the Texas Occupations Code, Title 3, Subtitle B (Medical Practice Act) in Texas and is licensed by The Texas Medical Board.
National Provider Identifier (NPI): 1396740650
Registration can typically be verified through The Texas Medical Board website or by direct inquiry.
The information on this profile, provided by kellysearch.com, is for informational purposes to help you connect with local healthcare providers. It does not constitute direct medical advice from the provider named. Healthcare providers like Dr. Alfredo Jimenez are trained to manage a wide range of health concerns. For urgent or life-threatening emergencies, please call 911 or visit the nearest emergency department. Always consult with a qualified medical professional for any health concerns or before making any decisions related to your care plan.