Locations
Office
Larkspur, CA
Ronald R. Ward, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Larkspur
About
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.
Head and Neck Surgery
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery
Languages spoken
Croatian, English, German, Polish
Doctor Q&A
551 Answers
46 Agrees
The number of answers this doctor has agreed with.
A 37-year-old male asked:

Dr. Ronald Wardanswered
Specializes in Head and Neck Surgery
249 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 37-year-old male asked:

Dr. Ronald Wardanswered
Specializes in Head and Neck Surgery
Ignore: Prevention of exposure to dust, smoke, pollens, particulate matter.
249 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 37-year-old male asked:

Dr. Ronald Wardanswered
Specializes in Head and Neck Surgery
Ignore: If significant obstruction, elective septoplasty may be indicated.
858 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old male asked:

Dr. Ronald Wardanswered
Specializes in Head and Neck Surgery
Ignore: Do: Avoid others with active upper respiratory infections, wash hands frequently,take 50 mg of zinc.
672 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 50-year-old member asked:

Dr. Ronald Wardanswered
Specializes in Head and Neck Surgery
Lumps: Could be something benign like sebaceous cysts. Should check scalp for any lesions. If masses firm, could be of more concern. See ENT
515 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 47-year-old member asked:

Dr. Ronald Wardanswered
Specializes in Head and Neck Surgery
632 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 19-year-old female asked:

Dr. Ronald Wardanswered
Specializes in Head and Neck Surgery
White spot: Could be tonsilolith, epithelial debris. Use q-tip or curette to try to move it.
169 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 45-year-old member asked:

Dr. Ronald Wardanswered
Specializes in Head and Neck Surgery
Handkerchief: So that you decrease the aerosolization of of viruses and bacteria in vicinity of others. Same reason as washing hands. This is most common way to spr... Read More
861 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 26-year-old male asked:

Dr. Ronald Wardanswered
Specializes in Head and Neck Surgery
Hearing: Not certain what the question is. Whether or not hearing loss was present previously. Appears to be aggravated case of external otitis and/or serous o... Read More
245 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 32-year-old male asked:

Dr. Ronald Wardanswered
Specializes in Head and Neck Surgery
Audio notch: Nothing new here. This is merely masking therapy. Helps some.Whatever the causation of your subjective tinnitus is not a factor
164 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 31-year-old male asked:

Dr. Ronald Wardanswered
Specializes in Head and Neck Surgery
Residual of sinus in: Residual of prior sinus infection most likely.
2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 26-year-old female asked:

Dr. Ronald Wardanswered
Specializes in Head and Neck Surgery
Lotrimin (clotrimazole) drops: need ear cleaned out microscopically by ENT. Gentian violet applied by ENT. Lotirimin get for one week twice a day. Acetosol drops for acidification. ... Read More
2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 37-year-old female asked:

Dr. Ronald Wardanswered
Specializes in Head and Neck Surgery
Make an appointment: make an appointment with an ENT doctor. Symptoms to vague to give answer without more history and physical exam.
2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:

Dr. Ronald Wardanswered
Specializes in Head and Neck Surgery
Reflux: GERD is the basis of both. LPR has symptoms of hoarseness, occasionally pain, voice change, possible laryngospasm because the acid and pepsin are bein... Read More
661 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 46-year-old member asked:

Dr. Ronald Wardanswered
Specializes in Head and Neck Surgery
Pharynx: The cricopharyngeal sphincter (upper esophageal sphincter). Look in Wikipedia. Pharynx has three clinical, anatomical subdivisions.
861 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 42-year-old member asked:

Dr. Ronald Wardanswered
Specializes in Head and Neck Surgery
Blood vessel: Unlikely unless there is a vascular anomaly or tumor.
862 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 43-year-old member asked:

Dr. Ronald Wardanswered
Specializes in Head and Neck Surgery
Throat clearing: Unlikely. Throat clearing leads to stimulation of secretary glands which produced more secretions which you then clear your throat again to remove. Be... Read More
613 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:

Dr. Ronald Wardanswered
Specializes in Head and Neck Surgery
Ear popping: If you have history of eustachian tube dysfunction, chronic ear infections, ear surgery, should see ENT if there is any hearing loss, dizziness, or in... Read More
682 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 30-year-old male asked:

Dr. Ronald Wardanswered
Specializes in Head and Neck Surgery
Warts: Once a day. For 10 weeks. Use occlusive dressing
195 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 31-year-old female asked:

Dr. Ronald Wardanswered
Specializes in Head and Neck Surgery
Facial spasm: Could be unilateral masseter, temporals spasm as reactionary splinting
169 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 44-year-old member asked:

Dr. Ronald Wardanswered
Specializes in Head and Neck Surgery
Laryngitis: No. But can make it worse by talking, alcohol, smoking, exposure to airborne chemicals, etc. If persists greater than weeks , need to have ENT evaluat... Read More
861 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 60-year-old female asked:

Dr. Ronald Wardanswered
Specializes in Head and Neck Surgery
Sudden hearing loss: Usually vascular, viral, or traumatic. This is an ear emergency.
205 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:

Dr. Ronald Wardanswered
Specializes in Head and Neck Surgery
Sing: The larynx produces vocal sounds. The nasal cavities give resonance. The oral cavity, facial muscles, and lips shape articulation.
591 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 47-year-old male asked:

Dr. Ronald Wardanswered
Specializes in Head and Neck Surgery
Rash: Should document in your medical records. If true allergy, cannot have iodine containing contrast ever. Could have anaphylactic reaction. Most are also... Read More
297 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 23-year-old male asked:

Dr. Ronald Wardanswered
Specializes in Head and Neck Surgery
Head pain: Probably muscle tension headache. do range of motion exercises of neck, get someone to massage neck muscles, ?yoga. ibuprofen
858 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 32-year-old female asked:

Dr. Ronald Wardanswered
Specializes in Head and Neck Surgery
Pain: TMJ pain. Don't bite on anything hard for ten days. Take Motrin. Apply hot moist compresses. Stop chewing gum and grinding teeth. May need night guard... Read More
771 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 23-year-old female asked:

Dr. Ronald Wardanswered
Specializes in Head and Neck Surgery
579 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 27-year-old female asked:

Dr. Ronald Wardanswered
Specializes in Head and Neck Surgery
Ears clogged: may take three to four weeks to clear provided no smoking. alcohol, another URI, air flight, etc. Second course of Abx may be indicated. Pop ears with... Read More
858 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 45-year-old female asked:

Dr. Ronald Wardanswered
Specializes in Head and Neck Surgery
Cervical vertigo: Probably neck muscles tighten esp. in cold weather. Need to keep neck warm and do range of motion exercises regularly. See ENT if symptoms last more t... Read More
866 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 31-year-old female asked:

Dr. Ronald Wardanswered
Specializes in Head and Neck Surgery
Pain and pus: need to get Antibiotics after evaluation. Suggest clindamycin, Penicillin, Augmentin. Dilute saline gargles.
655 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A female asked:

Dr. Ronald Wardanswered
Specializes in Head and Neck Surgery
Smell: Parosmia, i.e. smell distortion. Olfactory nerve endings damaged with cold. Usually regenerate. Depend on severity of viral infection, exposure to smo... Read More
719 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 22-year-old female asked:

Dr. Ronald Wardanswered
Specializes in Head and Neck Surgery
Ear infection: Ear pain, decreased hearing, possible headache, ringing in ear, some imbalance. Drainage if perforation of ear drum. If just fluid may resolve. Better... Read More
574 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 25-year-old male asked:

Dr. Ronald Wardanswered
Specializes in Head and Neck Surgery
Ear patch: Do not pop ear, patch will be blown off. Minimum of 3-4 weeks. better to wait three months.
643 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 24-year-old female asked:

Dr. Ronald Wardanswered
Specializes in Head and Neck Surgery
Turbinates: No permanent treatment. First see ENT for exam and diagnosis. Can be treated with corticosteroid sprays and antihistamines if allergic in nature. Surg... Read More
570 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 18-year-old female asked:

Dr. Ronald Wardanswered
Specializes in Head and Neck Surgery
Papillae: Probable being irritated by acidic, salty or spicy foods, alcohol , smoking. No mouthwash having alcohol. try bland diet for ten days.
721 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 31-year-old male asked:

Dr. Ronald Wardanswered
Specializes in Head and Neck Surgery
Sneezing: Get OTC flonase and use for at least ten days. OTC zyrtec. OTC antihistamine eye drops. See allergist.
643 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 63-year-old male asked:

Dr. Ronald Wardanswered
Specializes in Head and Neck Surgery
Throat clearing: Most chronic throat clearing is habitual. Could be a sign of acid reflux. Best to stop clearing your throat, and swallow instead, or drink water. Each... Read More
573 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A female asked:

Dr. Ronald Wardanswered
Specializes in Head and Neck Surgery
Lump: Have ENT check. Could be parotid gland mass.
575 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 31-year-old female asked:

Dr. Ronald Wardanswered
Specializes in Head and Neck Surgery
Cough: Appears to be symptoms of influenza. Get rest, drinks lots of clear fluids
139 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 66-year-old male asked:

Dr. Ronald Wardanswered
Specializes in Head and Neck Surgery
Eye itch: Go to ER. have eye irrigated with saline. Have slit lamp exam with fluorescin. May need antibiotic ointment with decahedron
152 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 28-year-old female asked:

Dr. Ronald Wardanswered
Specializes in Head and Neck Surgery
Sinus: If not allergic, would start with Augmentin 875mg twice a day, saline nasal rinses, afrin (generic) spray every four hours for 5-7 days, drink two qua... Read More
631 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 49-year-old female asked:

Dr. Ronald Wardanswered
Specializes in Head and Neck Surgery
Walking: Sounds like claudication secondary to atherosclerosis of leg vessels. See internist. Get ultrasound.
645 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 20-year-old female asked:

Dr. Ronald Wardanswered
Specializes in Head and Neck Surgery
Hoarse: Need to rest voice for three weeks, not smoke, no alcohol, no throat clearing, no raising voice. Drink a lot of clear fluids. radiation to ear from te... Read More
765 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 32-year-old female asked:

Dr. Ronald Wardanswered
Specializes in Head and Neck Surgery
Swelling: Most of swelling should resolve in 3-4 weeks. May take three months. Ask your surgeon about the bump.
773 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A male asked:

Dr. Ronald Wardanswered
Specializes in Head and Neck Surgery
Congested nose: rarely. Humans are obligate nose breather. Breathe through mouth if only option. Nasal congestion and adenoid hypertrophy can lead to sleep apnea, chr... Read More
785 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 35-year-old female asked:

Dr. Ronald Wardanswered
Specializes in Head and Neck Surgery
Parotid mass: You look too young for Warthin's tumor. Mass can be biopsied with fine needle, Can use ultrasound for guidance. See another ENT. Consider MRI of the g... Read More
655 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 54-year-old female asked:

Dr. Ronald Wardanswered
Specializes in Head and Neck Surgery
Sinus: By definition you have had an incomplete course of Abx. Best to be rechecked esp. if purulent discharge, Could use oxymetazoline spray every 4 hours f... Read More
592 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 52-year-old member asked:

Dr. Ronald Wardanswered
Specializes in Head and Neck Surgery
Ringing: damage to cochlear hair cells from noise exposure, aging, trauma. See ENT for exam and audiogram.
856 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 47-year-old member asked:

Dr. Ronald Wardanswered
Specializes in Head and Neck Surgery
Throat pain: need more information. Where , when, any lesions, what makes it worse, smoking, alcohol, etc.
860 viewsAnswered >2 years agoMerged
A 22-year-old female asked:

Dr. Ronald Wardanswered
Specializes in Head and Neck Surgery
Throat: Almost certainly GERD, acid or non-acid reflux. look on web for treatment measures. Prilosec twice a day. limit alcohol, caffeine, lose weight etc. Se... Read More
861 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.
1
Recommendations
247
Thank you notes
HealthTap member
Nov 29, 2018
Dr.Ward is concise and knowledgeable and has very helpful his answers.
HealthTap member
This was very helpful. Thanks! Thank you. I did see my oral surgeon and this is also what he said. This is an old accident scar that should have had stitches, but unfortunately I was out of state at...Read More
HealthTap member
This made me feel good. Thanks! My ENT and dentist told me 5 years ago that it was a mucocele. Now it's the size of a grape. Injured palate with toothbrush. Ct scan was normal. Oral surgeon appt soon....Read More
HealthTap member
This was very helpful. Thanks! Thank you! As of yesterday my doctor put me on Sudafed, claritin and flonase. I am hoping this will help living with lightheadedness for this long has been uncomfortab...Read More
Education & Training
Medical/Graduate school
Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, CA
MD
Residency
Kaiser Foundation Hosp Oakland
Awards
Founding Knowledge Editor, First Place, California - Winter
2016
Top Doctor, First Place, the San Francisco Region - Spring
2017
Thought Leader, Third Place, the San Francisco Region - Spring
2017
Affiliations
AAO-HNS
ACS
AAFPRS
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