Dr. Traxel ENT Specialist... Midland, TX

Dr. Roger M. Traxel, ear, nose and throat specialist, shares his successful practice of more than 30 years
By Jack McGee

In 1977, after finishing his residency in Wisconsin, Dr. Roger M. Traxel settled in Midland, TX. He traveled throughout the southwest, considering options for his new practice.

Dr. Traxel and his wife, who was pregnant with the couple’s second child, were invited to stay over by a local physician in Midland. They accepted the invitation and during their stay their host invited virtually every doctor in town to stop by and meet the couple. The warmth of their reception and the people they met convinced Dr. Traxel that Midland was the right place to establish his new practice and to raise his growing family.

In the three decades since he arrived, Dr. Traxel’s ear, nose and throat specialty has grown to be an integral part of the Midland medical community. As for the doctor and his family, everything he has experienced in the 30-plus years he’s lived here has confirmed to him that his decision in 1977 was the right one.

“I like the people of west Texas and I like the climate,” says Dr. Traxel. “I especially enjoy seeing satisfied patients. I like to see them get over their illness, whether it’s with medicine or surgery, and see them functioning normally again.”

THRIVING PRACTICE
In the years since he arrived in Midland, the west Texas region has seen its ups and downs as the oil industry that is the basis of the local economy has gone through cycles of boom and bust. Dr. Traxel’s ENT specialty has prospered regardless. Today the economy and the local job market are thriving, and Dr. Traxel is pleased to see west Texas doing so well again.

On a typical day, 30 to 40 patients visit Dr. Traxel’s office. These are both new and established patients who
range in age from infants to the elderly and, in some cases, he is treating three generations of the same family. As an ear, nose and throat specialist, medical issues are all “from the neck up” and range from various cancers to recurrent ear infections, tonsillitis and sinus conditions.

“We see people with ear, nose and throat medical and surgical problems and treat them in accordance with what their problem is,” Dr. Traxel points out. “I enjoy it because you get to see patients in all age groups. I enjoy caring for them on a daily basis. When they come in I examine them to determine what their needs are and recommend the best form of treatment, whether through the use of medicine or surgery that can help them.”

Typical conditions can include a multitude of common and rarer ailments. In addition to treating his patients medically, Dr. Traxel also provides surgical care for those patients who require it. “I like the surgical aspect of it,” he says. “Surgery in the ear, nose and throat is very meticulous type of surgery. A lot of it involves microscopes and telescopes so it’s a very delicate type of surgery; I rather enjoy that.”

Children comprise a significant number of the doctor’s patients due to recurrent ear and tonsil problems. Often parents are not aware of tonsil issues with their children because most parents rarely examine their children’s throats. Enlarged tonsils can cause problems for children, and the first signs are often heavy snoring, breathing issues and difficulty sleeping.

ADVANCED TECHNIQUES
Dr. Traxel utilizes the latest advances in medicine whenever they are available and beneficial to his patients. One advanced technique he employs is functional endoscopic sinus surgery, a minimally invasive technique used to restore sinus ventilation and normal function. The most suitable candidates for this procedure have recurrent acute or chronic infected sinuses and an improvement in symptoms of up to 85 percent may be expected following the procedure.

“It’s been a major advance in the last few years,” Dr. Traxel notes. “Basically it allows me to visualize areas better so I can be more thorough. It’s a functional surgery, so patients’ sinuses can return to normal function.”
Returning his patients to their normal daily lifestyles as quickly as possible is at the heart of Dr. Traxel’s approach. “I try to provide quality care on a timely basis,” he explains.

“We try to get patients in and get them taken care of. I want to get them the best results so they can get back to a functioning lifestyle as soon as possible.”

The doctor divides his time between seeing patients at his office and performing surgeries at Midland Memorial Hospital and Midland Memorial West Campus. Given the number of patients who visit his office on a daily basis, it would be easy for any doctor to lose the personal touch, but Dr. Traxel manages to maintain his legendary low-key bedside manner and focus his attention on each patient’s needs.

The Doctor is ONLINE

When it comes to professional, firsthand medical information, it’s always best to go to the source — your doctor. But many people are finding the Internet to be a useful additional resource for general questions about their health. With more than three decades of medical experience as an ear, nose and throat specialist, Dr. Roger M. Traxel has a very successful practice in Midland. Now many of his patients, as well as the general public, can avail themselves of his years of knowledge by accessing the doctor’s Web site at www.drtraxel.com.

The site includes a helpful feature that can be found under the listing, “Most Common Symptoms.” When users click on this tab, a long list of symptoms appears. Information on antihistamines, Bells Palsy (a facial nerve problem), nosebleeds, ear infections, Sinusitis and “You and Your Stuffy Nose” are but a few subjects covered.

Clicking on the subject of interest opens up a comprehensive amount of general information regarding the nature, symptoms and treatment options for each condition. While this web site feature is no substitute for a visit to the doctor himself, it can provide valuable facts and information to help each patient learn more about the conditions that they or their family member may be experiencing.