Dr. Brian Affleck
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery
Nampa, ID
31 years experience male
Locations
Saltzer Medical Group
Nampa, ID
My office hours
Wednesday: 8:00am - 5:00pm
Show morePhone
Practice website
Insurances accepted
Aetna Life Insurance Company
Aetna
Blue Cross of Idaho
CHAMPUS
Humana Insurance Company
Medicaid
Medicare
Regence Blue Cross Blue Shield of Oregon
Oregon Health Plan
SelectHealth
Tricare
ODS Health Plans
About
Bio
I was interested in medicine since I was very young. In fact, by the time I was in the first grade, I knew I not only wanted to be a doctor, I wanted to pursue my specialty of otolaryngology or ear, nose and throat. Much of my interest was sparked by the fact that my father practiced as an ENT specialist for over 40 years. After my father completed his residency, we moved to Southeast Idaho. I went to high school at Bonneville High, graduating at the top of my high school class. I then attended Brigham Young University, completing a Bachelor's Degree in microbiology as a Cum Laude honor graduate. I also completed Aerospace Studies and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force Reserve and was the #1 non-technical graduate in my class. I then attended the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences and completed an MD in 1991. I was honored by being inducted in the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society. My first year after medical school, I did one year of General Surgery training at David Grant Medical Center at Travis Air Force Base. I then served six years as a Flight Surgeon in the Air Force. I entered my otolaryngology training at the San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium, completing this training in 2002. I completed by board certification in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery in 2003. I served in various leadership capacities while in the Air Force all the while practicing otolaryngology. I served as an Element Leader, Flight Commander, Deputy Squadron Commander and Squadron Commander. My last Air Force responsibility was Chief of the Medical Staff, SGH or Chief Medical Officer for both Osan Air Base in Korea and Elmendorf Air Force Base in Alaska. I helped lead Elmendorf Hospital to be the #1 hospital in the entire Air Force, two years in a row. This was an astonishing feat. In 2011, I retired from the AF. I practiced in La Grande, Oregon for two years and in 2013, I moved to Idaho.
SpecialtiesDoctors 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.
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
Sleep Medicine
Doctor Q&A
623 Answers
32 Agrees
The number of answers this doctor has agreed with.
A 20-year-old male asked:

Dr. Brian Affleckanswered
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 31 years experience
Lymph node: Yes, you are most likely describing a reactive lymph node. They react to something like an infection. By reacting, they usually get larger. When th... Read More
1.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A female asked:

Dr. Brian Affleckanswered
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 31 years experience
Nose bleed: There are several options. Usually keeping the nose moist can be very helpful. Do this by using nasal saline and vaseline. If this is not successfu... Read More
2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 41-year-old female asked:

Dr. Brian Affleckanswered
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 31 years experience
CT versus MRI: The simplest distinguishing factors between these tests is what shows up well. With CT, bone shows up in nice detail, whereas in most MRI protocols, ... Read More
2.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 27-year-old female asked:

Dr. Brian Affleckanswered
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 31 years experience
Orbital infection: Yes, a sinus infection can cause eye swelling and redness. But usually it's because the infection is spreading to the tissues around the eye. This is... Read More
2.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 20-year-old male asked:

Dr. Brian Affleckanswered
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 31 years experience
Sinus Cancer: It really depends on what you mean by normal dust... Typical outdoor dust is composed of dirty and other particulate matter. This has not been shown t... Read More
2.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 20-year-old male asked:

Dr. Brian Affleckanswered
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 31 years experience
Salivary tumor: Most CT scans of the face, head and neck will cover the area where the major salivary glands are located. You have 3 pair of major salivary glands: t... Read More
2.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:

Dr. Brian Affleckanswered
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 31 years experience
Fissured tongue: Most patients with fissured tongue have no significant symptoms and the fissures are mostly cosmetic. There are a couple of syndromes where fissures ... Read More
2.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:

Dr. Brian Affleckanswered
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 31 years experience
Eardrum blister: The eardrum is covered with a thin layer of epithelium, which makes it a lot like very very thin skin. As such, the things that can cause blisters on... Read More
2.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 20-year-old male asked:

Dr. Brian Affleckanswered
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 31 years experience
What happens with strep infections is that your body make antibodies to fight these infections. The strep bugs look very similar to the your heart va... Read More
Answered Apr 11, 2021
A 17-year-old member asked:

Dr. Brian Affleckanswered
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 31 years experience
UTI: Blood in your urine and painful urination strongly suggest that may have a urinary tract infection. Home remedies include increasing your fluid intak... Read More
230 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 42-year-old female asked:

Dr. Brian Affleckanswered
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 31 years experience
You really need to be seen. You should first start by seeing an Ear, Nose and Throat specialist and you probably will need a hearing test, which is d... Read More
Reviewed Apr 11, 2021
A 25-year-old female asked:

Dr. Brian Affleckanswered
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 31 years experience
Sounds like a challenging question. A gastroenterologist deal with disordered of digestion and eating. There is potential link between odors and wha... Read More
Answered Apr 11, 2021
A 26-year-old male asked:

Dr. Brian Affleckanswered
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 31 years experience
You feel terrible because you are basically sleep deprived. Working nights is a very big challenge and it really hurts your sleep cycles. There are ... Read More
Reviewed Apr 11, 2021
A 24-year-old female asked:

Dr. Brian Affleckanswered
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 31 years experience
Medications like Klonopin are benzodiazepines are oftentimes called mood stabilizing medications. There are a few mood stabilizing medications that c... Read More
Reviewed Apr 12, 2021
A 70-year-old female asked:

Dr. Brian Affleckanswered
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 31 years experience
Your question needs a little bit more detail to best be able to help. What "factor" are you referring to? Is it rheumatoid factor?
Reviewed Apr 12, 2021
A 27-year-old male asked:

Dr. Brian Affleckanswered
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 31 years experience
Eye bruise: Concern for blood in or around the eyeball or globe really depends on what part of the eye is involved. If the bruise in on the white part of the glo... Read More
2.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 29-year-old female asked:

Dr. Brian Affleckanswered
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 31 years experience
Post nasal drip: It could be several things. The most common are allergies and reflux. Both cause post-nasal drainage, which could lead to dry non-productive cough. ... Read More
1.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A member asked:

Dr. Brian Affleckanswered
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 31 years experience
Fever and HA: Fevers are not a feature of typical migraine headaches. Fever is a common feature of some kind of infection like virus or bacterial. However, an infe... Read More
2.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
1 comment
A 25-year-old female asked:

Dr. Brian Affleckanswered
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 31 years experience
Stye: Sounds like you have a stye to me, too. Best early treatment is to apply moist heat. Take a hot wet washcloth using got tap water and hold it over th... Read More
2.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 28-year-old male asked:

Dr. Brian Affleckanswered
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 31 years experience
Tooth infection: Any kind of infection can cause pain and swelling in a lymph node that is close. That's really part of the purpose of lymph nodes. The pain in a lym... Read More
2.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 41-year-old female asked:

Dr. Brian Affleckanswered
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 31 years experience
Geographic tongue: Geographic tongue is also known as benign migratory glossitis. The tongue will have patches on the surface of the tongue that are missing the normal ... Read More
2.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 34-year-old male asked:

Dr. Brian Affleckanswered
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 31 years experience
Not too old: Tonsillitis is certainly not a fun infection to deal with. Neither is tonsil surgery, but you might have fewer throat issues after surgery. Given th... Read More
2.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old male asked:

Dr. Brian Affleckanswered
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 31 years experience
Sjogren's: I've not seen those exact percentages noted in the medical literature, but they may certainly be reasonable. The key to diagnosis of this disorder is... Read More
2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 40-year-old female asked:

Dr. Brian Affleckanswered
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 31 years experience
You should seek care at a local Urgent Care clinic so that they can evaluate your throat and possibly do a throat culture.
Reviewed Apr 12, 2021
A 54-year-old female asked:

Dr. Brian Affleckanswered
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 31 years experience
Short answer: yes. The tear duct is a long tube that goes from the inner eyelids down to the bottom of the nose to an area called the inferior meatus... Read More
Reviewed Apr 12, 2021
A 42-year-old female asked:

Dr. Brian Affleckanswered
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 31 years experience
What you are experiencing is not unusual. I agree that you should have your thyroid functions tested. In addition, need to look at your calcium leve... Read More
Reviewed Apr 12, 2021
A 19-year-old female asked:

Dr. Brian Affleckanswered
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 31 years experience
Referred pain: When ear pain seems to be related to the jaw, worse with chewing or tongue movement, it is common that the pain is actually referred to the ear. Altho... Read More
2.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 30-year-old female asked:

Dr. Brian Affleckanswered
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 31 years experience
Concussion: Sounds like you hit more than "mildly." Your symptoms represent things that occur with a concussion. You basically hit hard enough to injury your bra... Read More
2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A member asked:

Dr. Brian Affleckanswered
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 31 years experience
Food poisoning-GO: She should be evaluated for food poisoning. Should go to your nearest Emergency Room for evaluation. If you still have some of the fish, wrap it up a... Read More
2.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 26-year-old female asked:

Dr. Brian Affleckanswered
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 31 years experience
Disclosure: When dealing with any difficulty, it is best to be honest and complete in giving health history. This way your doctor can help you best. If you are ... Read More
2.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old female asked:

Dr. Brian Affleckanswered
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 31 years experience
Neck lump: It could still be a skin tag, but based on the change in appearance, I would strongly recommend having an ENT specialist look at it. Good luck
1.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 17-year-old male asked:

Dr. Brian Affleckanswered
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 31 years experience
Swimmers Ear: If your symptoms of swimmers ear include jaw pain, you should be seen as infection could have spread. More importantly, the treatment for swimmers ear... Read More
2.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 46-year-old female asked:

Dr. Brian Affleckanswered
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 31 years experience
Hypertension: Yes, you should be concerned. This blood pressure reading is too high. You should get checked by your primary care provider. You may not have any p... Read More
1.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 20-year-old female asked:

Dr. Brian Affleckanswered
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 31 years experience
Cold and sinus: Sounds like your having an upper respiratory infection, which is usually viral. Could be bacterial, but you would probably have green or yellow mucous... Read More
2.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 26-year-old female asked:

Dr. Brian Affleckanswered
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 31 years experience
Drowsiness: The combination of these two drugs would not generally be recommended because of side effects. Percocet is a strong narcotic and is a moderate dose. ... Read More
2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 58-year-old female asked:

Dr. Brian Affleckanswered
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 31 years experience
Acid Reflux: You are likely getting drainage from somewhere. Since the problem is retching and gagging, it is either coming from your nose or from your stomach. ... Read More
2.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old female asked:

Dr. Brian Affleckanswered
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 31 years experience
Random dizziness: While dizziness can be related to the heart, even with a totally normal workup of the heart, you could be having an arrhythmia, which might go undetec... Read More
2.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 20-year-old male asked:

Dr. Brian Affleckanswered
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 31 years experience
Parasites: Parasitic infections are certainly commonly seen in the stool. I've not seen a parasite that looks like red thin rice. Your concern prompts a number... Read More
2.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A female asked:

Dr. Brian Affleckanswered
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 31 years experience
Not contagious: Chronic tonsillitis is not contagious. Typically this means that you have had multiple episodes of infections involving the tonsils or that the tonsi... Read More
232 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A female asked:

Dr. Brian Affleckanswered
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 31 years experience
Another problem: While the pain may be directly from the ear, it is possible that the pain is coming from someplace else. I would suggest three less common possibilit... Read More
230 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 28-year-old male asked:

Dr. Brian Affleckanswered
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 31 years experience
Persistent fluid: It is not unusual to have persistent fluid in the middle ear after suffering an ear infection despite appropriate antibiotic treatment. It may take a... Read More
232 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:

Dr. Brian Affleckanswered
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 31 years experience
Tonsil stones: Tonsil stones are known by a variety of different names. One medical term is tonsillolith. Another is tonsil calculus. Essentially these are yellow... Read More
5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 50-year-old member asked:

Dr. Brian Affleckanswered
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 31 years experience
Strep throat: Recovery from strep depends on whether or not you receive antibiotic treatment. Usually, 7-10 days is all it takes to start feeling better although i... Read More
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 23-year-old member asked:

Dr. Brian Affleckanswered
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 31 years experience
Tonsillitis: Tonsillitis is an infection of the tonsils. There are a variety of different types of infection and numerous bacteria that can cause tonsillitis. Mo... Read More
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:

Dr. Brian Affleckanswered
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 31 years experience
Protective: The flu shot is a protective immunization against the flu. You get a light exposure to several different strains of flu so that your immune system is... Read More
230 viewsReviewed >2 years agoMerged
A 29-year-old member asked:

Dr. Brian Affleckanswered
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 31 years experience
Afternoon Sleepy: Because of a natural rhythm in our body's systems, it is common to feel a little tired in the mid- to late afternoon. Best thing to do is to be physi... Read More
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 48-year-old member asked:

Dr. Brian Affleckanswered
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 31 years experience
Sleep Terrors: There has not been any particular body position that increases the risk of or correlates with sleep terrors.
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:

Dr. Brian Affleckanswered
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 31 years experience
PLMs: Periodic limb movements or plms are typically found and diagnosed via a polysomnogram or sleep study. These are conducted by sleep medicine physician... Read More
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:

Dr. Brian Affleckanswered
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 31 years experience
Over 50 testing: Thyroid function testing, cholesterol screening, colonoscopy, mammogram, prostate tests (blood work and exam), glucose/insulin testing, liver tests an... Read More
230 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:

Dr. Brian Affleckanswered
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 31 years experience
Yes: The common ingredients for changing your circadian or "daily" rhythm is about two key things: light and melatonin. There are two types of disorders r... Read More
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions, provide medical advice, write prescriptions, and more.
TestimonialsRecommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
Recommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
7
Recommendations
416
Thank you notes
Mar 22, 2015
Great doctor. Consistently gives thoughtful, insightful and expert advice.
Jul 13, 2013
a great doc. helpful answers. thank you!
Apr 28, 2013
Great responses.
HealthTap member
Thank you, your answer was very helpful! My ent said since I've had these holes for so long that good chance that they come back even if did surgery and prob not cure pulsatile tinn
HealthTap member
Thank you, your answer or tip was very helpful! Thank you so much. I am going to try and drink a bottle if water now. I hope it helps thank you again doctor this really helped.
HealthTap member
Thanks for your quick reply! Thanks alot I was so upset I really appreciate ... But is it because of her throat that she take out her tongue out again and again...
Education & Training
Medical/Graduate school
Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences F. Edward Hebert School of Medicine, MD
Graduated 1991MD
Residency
Brooke Army Medical Center
Awards
Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society
Top Doctor, First Place, Idaho - Summer
2013
Most Influential, Third Place, Boise Region, ID - Summer
2013
Affiliations
Boy Scouts of America
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions, provide medical advice, write prescriptions, and more.
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