Our specialists can help identify triggers or perform tests to pinpoint specific allergens and develop an action plan, which may include lifestyle changes and avoidance strategies that can cause serious reactions.

Our goal is to help patients find relief and enjoy an improved quality of life by delivering personalized solutions, medication management, and immunotherapy to help improve your breathing, congestion, and infections.

Conditions commonly treated:

• Aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD)
• Allergic conjunctivitis
• Allergic rhinitis (hay fever)
• Anaphylaxis
• Angioedema
• Asthma
• Atopic dermatitis
• Chemotherapy reactions
• Drug allergies
• Eczema
• Environmental allergies
• Eosinophilic disorders
• Eosinophilic esophagitis
• Food allergies
• Hives (urticaria)
• Immunodeficiencies
• Insect sting allergies
• Latex allergies
• Mastocytosis
• Nasal polyposis
• Sinus infections
• Venom allergy

Procedures and evaluations: 

Various evaluations are provided to diagnose and manage different conditions. Our approach is personalized, and we collaborate closely with each patient to create effective treatment plans. Here are some common procedures we offer: 

Neurohospitalists are physicians whose subspecialty is the management of inpatients with neurologic conditions without having outpatient responsibilities. They differ from stroke neurologists or neurointensivists in that they treat a broader range of neurologic diseases that are specific to the inpatient realm. 

What does a UT Physicians neurohospitalist do?

Neurohospitalists are physicians with subspeciality training in a variety of areas, ranging from epilepsy, neurophysiology, and stroke. They use their subspecialty training to offer advanced care and coordinate care with a variety of inpatient teams.  

Conditions treated

Our neurohospitalist team is specially trained to care for people with a broad spectrum of neurological conditions, including:

Autoimmune or paraneoplastic disorders

These are a group of rare disorders that are triggered by an abnormal immune system response to infections or a cancerous tumor. These syndromes are thought to happen when cancer-fighting antibodies or white blood cells (known as B and T cells) mistakenly attack normal cells in the nervous system.

Breakthrough seizures and status epilepticus

A seizure is a sudden, uncontrolled burst of electrical activity in the brain. It can cause changes in behavior, movements, feelings, and levels of consciousness. Having two or more seizures at least 24 hours apart with no known cause is a condition called epilepsy. 

A seizure that lasts longer than five minutes, or having more than one seizure within a five-minute period, without returning to a normal level of consciousness between episodes is called status epilepticus. This is a medical emergency that may lead to permanent brain damage or death.

Cerebrovascular diseases

Cerebrovascular disease refers to a group of conditions, diseases, and disorders that affect the blood vessels and blood supply to the brain. If blockage, malformation, or bleeding prevents the brain cells from getting enough oxygen, brain damage can result.

Guillain-Barré syndrome, myasthenia gravis, and other neuromuscular disorders

Neuromuscular disorders affect the neuromuscular system. They can cause problems with the muscles, the nerves that control the muscles, and communication between the nerves and muscles. These disorders can cause muscles to become weak and waste away. Symptoms include spasms, twitching, and pain.

Meningitis, encephalitis, and other center nervous system infections

Central nervous system infections caused by bacteria or fungi can lead to a brain abscess or bacterial meningitis. Central nervous system infections caused by viruses can lead to viral meningitis or encephalitis.

Multiple sclerosis and other demyelinating disorders

Multiple sclerosis is one of a number of potentially disabling diseases of the brain and spinal cord. The immune system attacks the protective sheath (myelin) that covers nerve fibers and causes communication problems between the brain and the rest of the body.

Neurohospitalist physicians

Aidan I. Azher, MD

Neurohospitalist Care

Pedro L. Balaguera, MD

Neurohospitalist Care

Andrew D. Barreto, MD

Neurohospitalist Care

Hammad Bokhari, DO

Neurohospitalist Care

Shivika Chandra, MD

Neurohospitalist Care

Alexandra L. Czap, MD

Neurohospitalist Care

Kyrillos R. Eskander, MD

Neurohospitalist Care

Salman Farooq, MD

Neurohospitalist Care

Chigozirim N. Izeogu , MD

Neurohospitalist Care

Amanda L. Jagolino-Cole, MD

Neurohospitalist Care

Ashutosh Kaushal , MD

Neurohospitalist Care

Khalid Khalid, MD

Neurohospitalist Care

Sishir Mannava, MD

Neurohospitalist Care

Louise D. McCullough, MD

Neurohospitalist Care

Neurohospitalist Care

Narges Moghimi, MD

Michael I. Nahhas, MD

Neurohospitalist Care

Maria A. Parekh, MD

Neurohospitalist Care

Sean I. Savitz, MD

Neurohospitalist Care

Anjail Z. Sharrief, MD

Neurohospitalist Care

Ali Shoraka, MD

Neurohospitalist Care

Shaun O. Smart, MD

Neurohospitalist Care

An Kim Tran, MD

Neurohospitalist Care

The team of radiation oncologists at the Brain Tumor Center specialize in stereotactic radiosurgery treatment options, including specialized use of the Leksell Gamma Knife® Perfexion™ for those with meningiomas and vestibular schwannomas; arteriovenous malformations; medically refractory trigeminal neuralgia; and metastases.

Neurosurgeons and radiation oncologists affiliated with UTHealth have performed more than 5,000 Gamma Knife procedures, working closely with referring physicians throughout the radiosurgical treatment process. A neurosurgeon and a radiation oncologist assess each candidate to determine whether radiosurgical treatment is the best option. In the event that it is, nurse navigators work directly with patients on scheduling and pretreatment education, and provide support and care on the day of treatment. The Center also sponsors a brain tumor support group that meets the second Wednesday of every month.

What is an optometrist?

Optometrists are health care professionals licensed to practice optometry. They receive a doctor of optometry degree (OD) and must pass a licensure exam to practice in Texas.

Optometrists specialize in primary vision care:

• Preventive eye care
• Medical eye exams
• Diabetic eye exams
• Contact lens services
• Specialty contact lens services
• Identifying and monitoring eye conditions related to other diseases