Ibrahim Alava, MD is an ENT Specialist practicing at his clinic in Houston, TX. As a trusted local provider on kellysearch.com, Dr. Alava is dedicated to providing comprehensive ENT care, registered with The Texas Medical Board and practicing under 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 (713) 486-5000 to schedule an appointment.
Dr. Alava is a head & neck surgery otolaryngologist in Houston, TX with over 15 years of experience in the medical field. He earned his medical degree from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine in 2008 and completed an internship at the University of Texas, followed by residency training in ENT at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, graduating in 2013. This extensive training, coupled with his dedication, provides a wealth of clinical knowledge and care to his patients. Dr. Alava is affiliated with Houston Methodist West Hospital and Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital and is accepting new patients and telehealth appointments. He is committed to a collaborative, evidence-based approach to medicine, creating a supportive environment where patients and their families feel heard and empowered in their healthcare decisions. Dr. Alava offers consultations in Spanish.
A strong patient-provider partnership is the foundation of effective healthcare. Dr. Alava is committed to being a partner in your health journey, focusing on practical strategies to protect your health and well-being.
Dr. Alava's approach to ENT care is deeply patient-centered, emphasizing thorough evaluations and clear communication. He meticulously diagnoses and treats a wide spectrum of ear, nose, throat, head, and neck conditions, from routine issues to complex cases, always prioritizing the patient's individual needs and preferences. He collaborates closely with patients and their primary care physicians to ensure comprehensive, coordinated care.
By working together, you and Dr. Alava can create a clear, actionable plan that respects your individual needs and healthcare goals.
Specific Plans Accepted
Aetna
Amerigroup (Wellpoint)
Cigna
Humana
Also Accepts These Carriers
- Anthem
- Blue Card PPO
- Blue Choice
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Buckeye Community Health Plan
- CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Curative
- Curative EPO
- Curative PPO
- Curative PPO Plus
- First Health
- First Health (Coventry Health Care) PPO
- HealthyBlue 2.0
- Houston Area HMO-Standard
- Humana Health Plan of Texas
- Medicaid
- Medicare
- Midwest Health Plan
- Molina
- Molina Healthcare
- MultiPlan
- MultiPlan PPO
- National (BlueCard) PPO
- United Healthcare
- UnitedHealthCare
As your primary healthcare provider, Dr. Alava offers expert diagnosis and management for a wide range of common health conditions. Common areas of focus include:
- Allergic Rhinitis: If you have allergic rhinitis, an ear, nose, and throat doctor can create a treatment plan to control your symptoms, which might include medication, immunotherapy, or lifestyle changes.
- Sinusitis: Persistent sinus infections (sinusitis) can be effectively diagnosed and treated by an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist, who can explore various treatment paths.
- Loss of Smell and Taste: If you've suddenly lost your sense of smell or taste, an ENT specialist can diagnose the underlying issue, whether it's a viral infection, nasal blockage, or something more serious.
- Sudden Deafness and-or Hearing Loss: Don't ignore sudden deafness or hearing loss; see an ENT doctor right away. They're equipped to diagnose the reason for this and develop a plan to address it.
- Thrush: Oral thrush, a yeast infection in the mouth, can be painful and uncomfortable; your ENT doctor can diagnose and treat this condition with antifungal medications.
- Hyperacusis: With hyperacusis, ordinary sounds are intensely irritating or unbearable; an ENT doctor can explore treatment options to improve your sound tolerance.
- Vocal Cord Paralysis: Vocal cord paralysis occurs when one or both vocal cords can't move properly, leading to voice changes; an ENT doctor can diagnose the cause and recommend treatment like medication, therapy, or surgery.
- Eustachian Tube Dysfunction: Eustachian tube dysfunction means the tube connecting your ear to your throat isn't working properly, causing ear pain, pressure, or hearing problems, and an ENT doctor can help diagnose and treat this.
- 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.
- Sensorineural Hearing Loss: Sensorineural hearing loss affects the way your brain receives and interprets sounds, and an otolaryngologist can provide solutions like hearing aids or other therapies.
- Nasal Obstruction: Difficulty breathing through your nose? That's nasal obstruction, and an ENT specialist is the right doctor to see for diagnosis and treatment, which might include medication or surgery.
- Outer Ear Infection: If you have pain, redness, or discharge in your outer ear, it could be an infection; an ENT specialist can accurately determine the cause and provide effective treatment.
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. Alava offers a range of services designed to diagnose, manage, and treat various health concerns:
- Sleep Study: If you suspect you have a sleep disorder like sleep apnea, a sleep study helps your doctor identify the problem and recommend the right treatment.
- Ablation or Excision of Nasal Turbinates: This procedure reduces the size of the nasal turbinates (tissues inside your nose) to improve breathing.
- Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES): A FEES test helps doctors diagnose swallowing problems by looking at your throat and the movement of your tongue, lips, and throat muscles during swallowing.
- 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.
- Salivary Gland Surgery: Salivary gland surgery helps treat conditions like salivary stones or tumors by removing the affected area to improve saliva flow and alleviate symptoms.
- Diagnostic Nasal and Sinus Endoscopy: A nasal and sinus endoscopy is a quick, minimally invasive procedure that allows your doctor to directly view your sinuses and nasal passages to diagnose conditions such as sinusitis.
- Ethmoidectomy (Sinus Surgery): This surgery clears blocked sinus passages, often helping to cure chronic sinus infections that haven't responded to other treatments.
- Facial Reconstruction: Facial reconstruction can correct facial asymmetry, scars, or other deformities resulting from trauma or surgery.
- Tonsillectomy: A tonsillectomy is a surgical procedure to remove the tonsils, often performed to treat recurring tonsillitis or sleep apnea.
- Laryngoscopy: Laryngoscopy is a quick procedure using a special scope to visualize the larynx and diagnose conditions affecting your voice or breathing.
- Antrostomy and Antrotomy (Sinus Surgery): If you have persistent sinus infections, antrostomy or antrotomy might be used to drain the sinuses and promote healing.
- Parathyroidectomy: Parathyroidectomy is a surgical solution for hyperparathyroidism, a condition marked by an overproduction of parathyroid hormone, leading to high blood calcium.
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. Alava 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 personalized treatment plan, a patient experienced significant relief from bothersome allergy symptoms, allowing them to enjoy daily activities without discomfort. The patient felt empowered to manage their condition effectively.
- After receiving a clear diagnosis and personalized treatment plan, a patient successfully managed their chronic sinusitis, regaining their ability to breathe comfortably and enjoy everyday activities.
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:
UT Physicians Otorhinolaryngology - Texas Medical Center
6400 Fannin St, Houston, TX, 77030
Phone: (713) 486-5000
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- University of Texas (Internship Hospital)
- University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (Residency Hospital) - 2013
- University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (Internship Hospital) - 2009
- University of Miami Miller School of Medicine (Medical School) - 2008
- Florida Atlantic University (Undergraduate School) - 2002
Here are answers to some common questions about receiving ENT care with Dr. Alava:
- What kind of conditions does an ENT specialist treat?
- Dr. Alava, an otolaryngologist, is a medical doctor and surgeon who treats a wide range of conditions affecting the head and neck, including ear problems (infections, hearing loss, dizziness), nasal and sinus issues (allergies, sinusitis, breathing problems), and throat conditions (voice disorders, swallowing problems, tonsillitis). He is also expertly trained in thyroid surgery and head/neck tumors.
- Do I need a referral to see an ENT?
- Dr. Alava's office accepts many insurance plans. While some, like HMOs, require a referral from your primary care physician, others, like PPOs, do not. Please check with your insurance provider to understand their specific referral requirements before scheduling an appointment.
- 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 evaluation. Dr. Alava is an expert in diagnosing head and neck masses and can perform a thorough examination, including a biopsy if needed, to determine the cause.
- 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. Alava, an ENT specialist, can examine the entire airway to identify blockages and offer treatments, including surgery, not typically available from other sleep specialists.
- Is it normal for my voice to be hoarse for a long time?
- Hoarseness from a cold or overuse should resolve within a couple of weeks. If hoarseness lasts longer than 2-3 weeks, it's important to be evaluated by Dr. Alava. He can perform a laryngoscopy to diagnose the cause, which could range from acid reflux to vocal cord nodules or other issues.
- What is the difference between dizziness and vertigo?
- Dizziness is a general feeling of lightheadedness or unsteadiness. Vertigo is a specific type of dizziness, often described as a spinning sensation. Dr. Alava can perform tests to diagnose the cause of vertigo, which frequently originates in the inner ear.
- I have frequent sinus infections. When should I see an ENT instead of my primary care doctor?
- If you have chronic or recurrent sinus infections (lasting more than 12 weeks or happening 4 or more times a year), or if your primary care doctor's treatment isn't helping, you should see an ENT like Dr. Alava. Dr. Alava can perform a nasal endoscopy to examine the nasal passages and identify any underlying issues.
- My child gets a lot of ear infections. Do they need ear tubes?
- Ear tubes, or tympanostomy tubes, are often recommended for children with recurrent ear infections or persistent fluid buildup in the ear, which can affect hearing. The tiny tubes help ventilate the middle ear and prevent fluid buildup. Dr. Alava can evaluate your child to see if they are a good candidate for this common and safe procedure.
6400 Fannin St
Houston TX 77030
Phone: (713) 486-5000
Ibrahim Alava, 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): 1801230172
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. Ibrahim Alava 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.