Sinus, allergy, and nasal breathing care
Stuffy nose that won’t clear up?
Ongoing stuffiness, sinus pressure, and allergy symptoms are worth a closer look. Our ear, nose, and throat (ENT) doctors can identify what may be causing them and discuss your options.
- Serving Birmingham since 1998
- Our physicians are board-certified in otolaryngology (ENT)
- 4.7 Google rating with 200+ reviews
Does this sound like you?
- Your nose feels blocked or stuffy most days.
- You feel pressure or pain around your eyes, cheeks, or forehead.
- Thick mucus drains from your nose or down the back of your throat.
- You get sinus infections that keep coming back.
- You can’t smell or taste as well as you used to.
- You sneeze a lot, or your eyes and nose itch, during certain seasons or around dust or pets.
- You breathe through your mouth, especially at night. Snoring or waking up tired? See our sleep page.
These symptoms have many possible causes. Checking one doesn’t mean you have a certain condition. It means it may be worth talking with an ENT doctor.
Common reasons people come to see us
Sinus problems that keep coming back
Your sinuses are air-filled spaces behind your cheeks, forehead, and eyes. When they stay swollen or blocked, you may have pressure, stuffiness, and drainage that lingers or returns. Doctors call this sinusitis.
- Sinusitis
- Nasal polyps: soft growths inside the nose or sinuses
- Balloon sinuplasty
Allergies that won’t let up
Allergies happen when your body reacts to things like pollen, dust, mold, or pet dander. Common signs include sneezing, itching, and a runny or stuffy nose. Allergy testing helps identify what you may be reacting to.
- Allergy testing
- Allergy shot clinic hours
- Chronic rhinitis: a stuffy or runny nose that lasts a long time
A nose that feels blocked
Sometimes the problem is the structure inside your nose. A crooked wall between your nostrils (a deviated septum), swollen tissue, or an old injury can make it hard for air to move through your nose.
What happens at your first visit
- Talk about your symptoms. Your doctor will ask how long they’ve lasted, what makes them worse, and what you’ve already tried.
- Get an exam. Your doctor will look inside your nose and may also check your ears and throat.
- Testing, if needed. Depending on your symptoms, your doctor may recommend allergy testing or a CT scan, a detailed type of X-ray that shows your sinuses.
- Talk through your options. Your doctor will explain what they found and which options may fit you.
Ready to talk with an ENT doctor?
Treatment options we offer
The right treatment depends on what’s causing your symptoms. Not every option fits everyone. Your doctor will go over the choices that make sense for you.
Allergy shots
Allergy shots, also called allergy immunotherapy, give you small, measured doses of the things you’re allergic to over time. Your doctor can tell you whether they may be a good fit. See shot clinic hours.
Balloon sinuplasty
A procedure that uses a small balloon to widen blocked sinus openings. The doctor places the balloon in the opening and inflates it. Ask your doctor whether you may be a candidate. Learn about balloon sinuplasty.
Sinus surgery
For some people with long-lasting sinus problems, surgery may be an option. Your doctor will explain what it involves and whether it’s worth considering.
Allergy shot clinic: walk-in, no appointment needed
Already getting allergy shots from us? Come by during clinic hours and sign in at the front desk.
Clinic hours
Monday–Friday, 8 am – 11 am and 1 pm – 4 pm
The clinic handles allergy shots, allergy testing, and vial pickup. Picking up a new vial? You may need a quick skin test first. It takes about 10 minutes.
Clinic hours sometimes change. We post updates on our Facebook page.
New to allergy care? Request an appointment to get started.
Meet our doctors
D. Trent Lowery, MD
- Board-certified in otolaryngology (ear, nose, and throat)
- Medical degree: University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) School of Medicine
- Residency: University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB)
- Performs Inspire® procedures
Matthew M. Fort, MD
- Board-certified in otolaryngology (ear, nose, and throat)
- Medical degree: University of Mississippi Medical Center
- Residency: University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB)
- Performs Inspire® procedures
Questions about insurance?
For your convenience, Southern ENT & Sinus accepts insurance. Call us at (205) 838-3755 or visit our insurance page for more information about the insurance we accept.
Request an Appointment
Fill out the form, and we’ll call you to schedule.
Prefer to call? (205) 838-3755, Monday–Friday, 8 am–5 pm