U.S. doctors online nowAsk doctors free

Dr. Ronda Alexander

ENT and Head and Neck Surgery
Houston, TX
21 years experience female

Locations

UT Physicians Otorhinolaryngology

Houston, TX

Address

6400 Fannin Street, Suite 2700, Houston, TX
Directions

My office hours

Thursday: 8:00am - 4:00pm
Show more

About

Bio

Dr Alexander is a native New Yorker who moved to Houston to form the Texas Voice Performance Institute at UTHealth/Memorial Hermann-TMC. She is a former singer, herself, who is passionate about helping people reclaim healthy voice. She trained in Laryngology with Dr Andrew Blitzer at the New York Institute for Voice and Swallowing Disorders. Prior to this, she completed a 5-year residency in Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery at AECOM/Montefiore Medical Center. Her MD was earned at the Medical College of Cornell University in New York City after she graduated summa cum laude with a BS in Biology from Xavier University of Louisiana as a perennial Dean's List honoree and having earned a Rousseve Scholarship for her final year of study. During her undergraduate studies, she was honored with induction into Beta Beta Beta Biological Honor Society, Alpha Epsilon Delta Premedical Honor Society, Alpha Kappa Mu University Honor Society and awarded University Service Keys on two occasions. In addition to her clinical passion, she is the Assistant Residency Program Director for the Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery at the University of Texas Medical School at Houston. She also works to share Divine love with the world through international mission work in Cuba, Mexico and Honduras. When not working, she enjoys classical ballet, modern dance, world travel, Bikram yoga and spending time with her family.

Specialties
Doctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.

ENT and Head and Neck Surgery

Doctor Q&A

346 Answers
113 Agrees
The number of answers this doctor has agreed with.
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. Ronda Alexander
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 21 years experience
Pain: Along with eye pain and headache, there will usually be difficulty moving the eye and in keeping the eyelid open on the same side. This is sometimes... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 18-year-old member asked:
Dr. Ronda Alexander
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 21 years experience
Use your own sense: When your baby has a high fever, you need to talk to your own pediatrician. Babies can get colds with high fever and stay home but, chceck with the c... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Ronda Alexander
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 21 years experience
Ulcer?: People can get ulcers in the back of the throat, even where you can't see in the mirror. Swallowing makes them hurt and you can get ear pain, too, si... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 25-year-old member asked:
Dr. Ronda Alexander
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 21 years experience
Dangerous: This sounds like a very high risk for being a cancer. With moles, watch for changes in size, texture, color and irregular border changes. Get your ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 33-year-old member asked:
Dr. Ronda Alexander
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 21 years experience
Medical THC???: Please examine the laws of your nation/state to make the determination as to whether or not it is wise... In states where medical mj is permitted, sp... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 45-year-old member asked:
Dr. Ronda Alexander
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 21 years experience
Kids these days :-): The real answer is...Take that thing out! of course, you can take tylenol-type medications but you should avoid advil (ibuprofen) or Aspirin produc... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 45-year-old member asked:
Dr. Ronda Alexander
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 21 years experience
Nearly none: It is vanishingly rare to receive a transfusion during the tonsillectomy. One needs to be careful, however, during the aftercare period. This is whe... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 40-year-old member asked:
Dr. Ronda Alexander
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 21 years experience
Nasal sprays: Azelastine- a nasal antihistamine spray. This is like claritin/fexofenadine and should not make one sleepy fluticasone- a nasal steroid spray. Th... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 44-year-old member asked:
Dr. Ronda Alexander
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 21 years experience
Team approach: Often, swallowing problems will need the help of a gastroenterologist (gi), otolaryngologist (ENT) as well as radiologist and speech pathologist. The... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 32-year-old member asked:
Dr. Ronda Alexander
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 21 years experience
Not much: For awake: nosebleed, discomfort, choking during, numbness of throat after for asleep under anesthesia: damage to lips/tongue/teeth, sore tongue, alt... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 36-year-old male asked:
Dr. Ronda Alexander
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 21 years experience
Ignore: Swap agave for table sugar. Be moderate with the amount- it's tasty and sweet with a lower gi.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 31-year-old member asked:
Dr. Ronda Alexander
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 21 years experience
Moisten him: Before you go to the pediatrician for a 'sick visit', consider giving him warm, moist air. Put a mister in his room while he sleeps and give him 1-2 ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 46-year-old member asked:
Dr. Ronda Alexander
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 21 years experience
Talk to OMFS: Call the surgeon who extracted your teeth and let her/him know. It's fairly normal to have some soreness and you shouldn't be eating on that side for... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 35-year-old member asked:
Dr. Ronda Alexander
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 21 years experience
Awake or asleep: Assuming you're talking about the flexible laryngoscopy that's done in the office, it shouldn't be too uncomfortable. The doctor normally starst by g... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A member asked:
Dr. Ronda Alexander
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 21 years experience
General precautions : Priority one is keeping it to yourself! please do not go to work until you are better. While home, hydrate with water and treat your symptoms so you ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 21-year-old member asked:
Dr. Ronda Alexander
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 21 years experience
Unfortunately...yes: When people can't swallow enough food safely, the feeding tube are there to help make sure they get enough nutrition. They have models that can be hi... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 41-year-old member asked:
Dr. Ronda Alexander
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 21 years experience
Thyroid effects: There are a few ways the thyroid can affect the voice. If it's underactive, you can get thickening of the vocal folds which will change the voice. A... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 33-year-old member asked:
Dr. Ronda Alexander
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 21 years experience
Uber-late fistula: With esophageal atresia, one would worry whether you ever had a tracheo-esophageal fistula. If so, the cough could signal some kind of leak in the in... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 48-year-old male asked:
Dr. Ronda Alexander
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 21 years experience
Nerve trouble: If you had an injury that affected your facial nerve, you can develop synkinesis, which is a condition where nerves grow to the incorrect muscle and m... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. Ronda Alexander
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 21 years experience
Nasal irrigation: The eye tear ducts drain into the nose which connects to the throat. This is how you may be able to taste eye drops. If you irrigate your nose with ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 36-year-old female asked:
Dr. Ronda Alexander
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 21 years experience
No rules: There are no rules as to when in the day you should defecate. It's more important that your bowel movements are formed, free from pain and bleeding an... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 29-year-old male asked:
Dr. Ronda Alexander
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 21 years experience
Somewhat: Any exposure to infected body fluids carries the risk of transmitting HIV but, this sounds like a very small amount. Does your acquaintance know his ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. Ronda Alexander
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 21 years experience
Alternative: There isn't much you can do to change how much wax you make. It depends on your skin type. You can, however, soothe the ear canal skin with over the c... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 20-year-old female asked:
Dr. Ronda Alexander
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 21 years experience
Likely no: While you shouldn't share drinks or utensils with someone who is having symptoms from their hsv, finger-to-finger contact over popcorn should not be a... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A male asked:
Dr. Ronda Alexander
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 21 years experience
Learn about HSV: Cold sore = herpes....It has nothing to do with 'having a cold'. It's a common infection and can be transmitted whenever a sore is present and even w... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 49-year-old member asked:
Dr. Ronda Alexander
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 21 years experience
Varies by case: This is an important problem as overly large breasts can cause back problems and also impede exercise for general fitness. Look into community resour... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Ronda Alexander
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 21 years experience
Not 'seasonal': Your reaction is more likely a result of an irritant which is common to your indoor environments. Look around when you begin to have symptoms and try... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 70-year-old male asked:
Dr. Ronda Alexander
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 21 years experience
Lifestyle: The dietary and habit changes help reflux more than meds do alone. Try avoiding late-night snacking as well as making sure you have a balanced, plant-... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 42-year-old member asked:
Dr. Ronda Alexander
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 21 years experience
Get a test: If you have any reason to believe that you might be pregnant (had sex at all and missed any pills or took antibiotics), take a preganancy test if this... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. Ronda Alexander
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 21 years experience
None: Inner ear disorders cause vertigo (and/or hearing loss) but not lightheadedness. The latter can be caused by blood flow problems to the brain, nutrit... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 32-year-old member asked:
Dr. Ronda Alexander
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 21 years experience
Young but allergic?: Even infants can have allergies to inhaled allergens or to foods. Talk to her pediatrician about allergy testing and you may ask for a referral to an... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Ronda Alexander
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 21 years experience
Baby nodules: There is no proof that 'crying it out' causes permanent damage to the voice. However, you should make sure that baby is well-hydrated otherwise. This ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 50-year-old member asked:
Dr. Ronda Alexander
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 21 years experience
Dry ears: Make sure your ears are dry and there's no foreign material in them then go ahead!
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 32-year-old member asked:
Dr. Ronda Alexander
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 21 years experience
Unlikely: Not likely. Reflux disease doesn't usually make a gurgling sound. Rather, there may be a problem in the esophagus. Have a doc check you out and see if... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 24-year-old member asked:
Dr. Ronda Alexander
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 21 years experience
Train it!: The voice is a precision instrument that too many people take for granted. If you haven't already taken them, consider formal voice lessons from a si... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A member asked:
Dr. Ronda Alexander
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 21 years experience
Weather not reason: You can get ill with the flu at any time of the year, not just in winter. Typically, colds and flu are different since the flu will give you the body... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 19-year-old member asked:
Dr. Ronda Alexander
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 21 years experience
Fine: There shouldn't be any problem so long as you're taking the whole dose. Pills are usually ok to crush or chew. However, you don't want to open capsu... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. Ronda Alexander
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 21 years experience
ROP: That's often 'rhinitis (runny nose) of pregnancy'...If it's just a drippy nose. The cough doesn't sound normal, though. Has your OB given you any adv... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 36-year-old male asked:
Dr. Ronda Alexander
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 21 years experience
Ignore: You can't prevent it. This is an autoimmune disorder that destroys the ability to make insulin.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 49-year-old member asked:
Dr. Ronda Alexander
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 21 years experience
Closed reduction?: If you're talking about moving broken nasal bones back into place immediately after a fracture, if done awake expect discomfort even with the pain med... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 41-year-old member asked:
Dr. Ronda Alexander
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 21 years experience
What's the problem?: He voice is a delicate mechanism and, in most instances, can be trained well for good function and optimal health. If you're not happy with your voic... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 56-year-old female asked:
Dr. Ronda Alexander
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 21 years experience
Balance: There are always risks and benefits to medications. Did your doctor exaplain why s/he wants you to take it? If you have a history of asthma, it may ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 44-year-old member asked:
Dr. Ronda Alexander
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 21 years experience
Not always ear: Have you seen someone who has examined you? The nerves in the neck and ear have 'crossed wires' and sometimes, one hurts when it's really the other t... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 37-year-old member asked:
Dr. Ronda Alexander
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 21 years experience
Correct: These are the scientific terms for the loss of taste and smell, respectively.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 26-year-old member asked:
Dr. Ronda Alexander
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 21 years experience
Call pediatrician!: Your son has an rash and fever...This sounds a lot like either chicken pox, measles. Has he also had the MMR vaccine? Before you go to your doctor's... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 43-year-old member asked:
Dr. Ronda Alexander
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 21 years experience
Turning to one side: Spasmodic torticollos is a nerve-based problem which results in muscles of the neck inappropriately turning to one side consistently. It can be painf... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 45-year-old member asked:
Dr. Ronda Alexander
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 21 years experience
Tough one: This is difficult as you need to be partnered with someone who can see past your trach and into your heart. If medically allowable, try wearing a cap... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 33-year-old member asked:
Dr. Ronda Alexander
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 21 years experience
In your head: The auditory nerve is that which transports information from the cochlea (your hearing organ) up into the brain and may also bring some information ba... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 49-year-old member asked:
Dr. Ronda Alexander
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 21 years experience
Not logical...: If you have viral pharyngitis, they should not have given you antibiotics...Especially one as stronog as cefaclor. You should avoid alcohol when taki... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 58-year-old female asked:
Dr. Ronda Alexander
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 21 years experience
Dysphonia: Voice changes can be associated with colds, injuries and surgery among other things. It's only been a short while so, she should be resting the voice... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.

Testimonials
Recommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.

6
Recommendations
455
Thank you notes
Apr 5, 2015
Great doctor. Consistently gives thoughtful, insightful and expert advice.
Oct 19, 2013
Knowledgeable expert in ENT. Highly recommend.
HealthTap member
Mar 30, 2015
Dr. Alexander is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
This was very helpful. Thanks! I'm scared to do it because I love my voice so much, so maybe I'll just live with it. Thanks for the info!
HealthTap member
Thanks, I have been to the ENT and I am waiting to hear back from them. I have recently had severe pain down my left arm and shoulder.
HealthTap member
I have several enlarged lymph nodes and cysts in my neck and dr thinks tonsils are the cause. I'm very nervous, singing is my life.

Education & Training

Medical/Graduate school

Weill Cornell Medical College of Cornell University, NY
Graduated 2002MD

Awards

Texas Rising Star by Texas Monthly Magazine, 2013
Texas Rising Star by Texas Monthly Magazine, 2012
America' Top Doctors, Castle Connolly

Affiliations

American College of Surgeons
American Laryngological Association
National Medical Association
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions, provide medical advice, write prescriptions, and more.
Answer emailed
in 24 hours or less