Meet the Experts

Dr. Andrew Rivera

Otolaryngologist with Baptist Health South Florida

Videos

Benefits of Nasal Endoscopy

Dr. Andrew Rivera, Otolaryngologist with Baptist Health South Florida, says a nasal endoscopy lasts a few minutes, because it is just visualizing the nasal cavity and going down to the larynx. He explains it allows to see inside the nose and figure out where exactly the infection might be.

Nasal Congestion and Allergies

Dr. Andrew Rivera, Otolaryngologist with Baptist Health South Florida, says the most common issues that can lead to irritation in the nose are allergies, deviated septum, and recurrent sinus infections. He explains sinus infections are treatable with medical therapy and there are interventions to prevent patients from having recurrent sinus infections.

Nasal Congestion Treatment

Dr. Andrew Rivera, Otolaryngologist with Baptist Health South Florida, explains people need surgery when they have a degree of congestion that is not responsive to medical therapy. One method of shrinking the turbinates is something called ablation. He says there is a device that is like a needle and goes under the mucosa and when it is turned on, it uses energy to burn tissue and shrink it from the inside.

Causes of Nasal Congestion

Allergies, acute sinusitis, common cold, decongestant nasal spray overuse, deviated septum, enlarged adenoids, nasal polyps, and non-allergic rhinitis are potential causes of nasal congestion. Dr. Andrew Rivera, Otolaryngologist with Baptist Health South Florida, explains sinusitis is an infection that can be very debilitating and it is associated with pain, congestion and drainage.

Anatomy of the Nose

Dr. Andrew Rivera, Otolaryngologist with Baptist Health South Florida, says inside the nose there are folds of tissue called turbinates. They are large folds of mucosa over bone, which in many people can be too large and obstruct the nasal passage. He also explains the nose is covered with mucosa that is meant to filter out particles in the air, and if you have an inflammation or allergy, the mucus becomes inflamed and will swell up.

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