How your rhinologist in Bend, OR can help with nasal polyps.

Do you have problems breathing through your nose? Do you suffer frequent nasal congestion or chronic sinus infections? If so, you could be suffering from nasal polyps.

So, what are nasal polyps? They are benign growths of tissue attached to the walls of your nasal passages. The good news is, you can get relief from your rhinologist. Dr. Ryan Gallivan is an ENT specialist and rhinologist at Northwest Sinus Center in Bend, OR. He can treat your nasal polyps to help you breathe better.

You are at greater risk of developing nasal polyps if you have:

• Allergies or asthma
• Chronic sinus infections
• Fungal sinusitis
• Cystic fibrosis

Even if you have any of the conditions listed above, you can still do a lot to prevent the formation of nasal polyps. It’s important to:

• Seek out treatment for allergies and asthma so you can minimize sinus and nasal passage inflammation
• Stay away from allergens, fumes, dust, and tobacco smoke
• Wash your hands several times each day to avoid transmitting bacteria or viruses into your nasal passages
• Place a humidifier in your home to keep the air moist and help avoid nasal irritation
• Irrigate your nasal passages and sinuses with saline solution to keep nasal passages clear

There are several effective ways your rhinologist can treat nasal polyps, including:

• Oral or injectable corticosteroids and corticosteroid nasal spray to reduce swelling and inflammation
• Antihistamine medication to relieve inflammation due to allergies
• Antibiotics to kill bacteria associated with sinus infections

Endoscopic surgery may be indicated for larger nasal polyps that don’t respond to medications. Dr. Gallivan can discuss whether this treatment is appropriate for you.

You deserve to breathe freely and treating nasal polyps will help. To find out more about treating nasal polyps and other ear, nose, and throat services, talk with your ENT specialist. Call Dr. Ryan Gallivan of Northwest Sinus Center in Bend, OR. at (855) 746-8700 today.