Dr. Jaime Rivera, MD

Dr. Jaime Rivera, MD is a Gastroenterology specialist dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive Gastrointestinal care. He practices at Gastro Health in Kissimmee, FL, and is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine, practicing under Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). Your gastroenterologist is your primary partner in lifelong digestive health, creating personalized plans for prevention, coordinating crucial screenings, and managing the wellness of your entire digestive system—from esophagus to liver—to keep you feeling your best for years to come. He serves all ages, and is currently welcoming new patients to begin their proactive health journey. Call (407) 846-6747 to schedule.

Dr. Jaime Rivera, MD is a gastroenterologist in Kissimmee, FL with over 35 years of experience in the medical field. Dr. Rivera has extensive experience in Pancreatic Disease, Esophageal Disorders, and Gastrointestinal Disorders. He is affiliated with AdventHealth Orlando and HCA Florida Osceola Hospital. With over 35 years of dedicated experience in Gastrointestinal care, he brings a wealth of clinical knowledge and compassionate care to his patients and their families. He earned his medical degree from the University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine in 1989, followed by an internship at Providence Hospital in 1990, and completed his Gastroenterology residency and fellowship at Providence Hospital in 1992 and 1994, respectively. He is Board Certified in Gastroenterology by the American Board of Internal Medicine. He provides expert and personalized medical care in a warm and caring environment, supported by a team of committed professionals. Dr. Jaime Rivera is fluent in Arabic and also offers consultations in Spanish.

A key part of the WePrevent mission is building your personalized prevention roadmap. Dr. Jaime Rivera is a vital partner in this journey, focusing on proactive strategies to protect and enhance your long-term health.

By working together, you and Dr. Jaime Rivera can create a clear, actionable plan to address your unique risk factors and health goals.

A proactive approach to health involves understanding and managing potential risks. Dr. Jaime Rivera provides expert care for a range of conditions, focusing on early detection and effective management to support your long-term wellness. Common areas of focus include:

• Indigestion: Indigestion, while often mild, can signal underlying digestive issues, so paying attention to its frequency and severity helps in early detection and prevention of more serious problems.
• Barretts Esophagus with Dysplasia: Barrett's esophagus with dysplasia is a precancerous condition where the lining of your esophagus changes, increasing your risk of esophageal cancer; regular screenings can help detect it early, allowing for timely intervention and preventing cancer development.
• Anal or Rectal Pain: Protecting your digestive health starts with addressing discomfort. Anal or rectal pain might indicate a manageable condition like a fissure; early intervention prevents long-term issues.
• Esophageal Diverticulum: Understanding your risk factors and promptly addressing symptoms associated with an esophageal diverticulum, such as difficulty swallowing or chest pain, is key to preventing long-term health problems.
• Gastroptosis: While gastroptosis isn't always problematic, recognizing symptoms early and discussing them with your doctor can help prevent potential digestive discomfort and ensure timely management.
• Intestinal Ischemia: Intestinal ischemia, a reduced blood flow to your intestines, can lead to serious complications if not caught early, highlighting the importance of regular checkups and managing risk factors like heart disease and diabetes.
• Congenital Anomaly Intestine: Being aware of potential intestinal birth defects helps manage risks and allows for timely intervention to minimize complications throughout life.
• Intestinal Prolapse: Intestinal prolapse, where part of the intestine slips out of its normal position, can be prevented or its severity lessened through maintaining a healthy weight and avoiding chronic straining during bowel movements.
• Nausea: Understanding the causes of your nausea is key to preventing further digestive discomfort and potential long-term health issues; talk to your doctor if it's persistent.
• Hemorrhoids: Maintaining a healthy weight and regular physical activity can significantly reduce your risk of developing hemorrhoids, a common yet often preventable anorectal condition.
• Gastroparesis: Gastroparesis is a condition where your stomach empties food too slowly, and understanding its early warning signs can help prevent serious complications like malnutrition and dehydration.
• Autoimmune Hepatitis: By recognizing the early warning signs of autoimmune hepatitis and seeking prompt medical care, you can effectively minimize the risks of severe liver damage and improve your overall digestive well-being.

This list highlights some common health concerns and is for informational purposes only. The best way to understand your personal health and create a prevention plan is to schedule a consultation. Accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment plans are developed based on individual patient evaluations.

Taking proactive steps is central to long-term health. Dr. Jaime Rivera offers a range of key preventive screenings and services designed to provide crucial insights into your health and support your well-being:

• Sigmoidoscopy: A sigmoidoscopy is a quick screening procedure that helps detect colon polyps and cancer early, allowing for prompt treatment and potentially saving your life.
• Manometry: For a comprehensive assessment of your digestive health, consider manometry. This test helps detect motility disorders, ensuring that any issues affecting your ability to swallow, digest food, or move waste are identified and treated promptly, preventing potentially severe consequences.
• Wireless pH Testing: Wireless pH testing is a simple procedure that helps detect acid reflux and GERD early, allowing for timely treatment and preventing long-term damage to your esophagus.
• Flexible Sigmoidoscopy: A flexible sigmoidoscopy is a simple procedure that allows your doctor to examine your lower colon for polyps and other abnormalities, helping prevent colorectal cancer.
• ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography): To proactively safeguard your liver and pancreas, an ERCP can help diagnose and treat issues within your bile ducts and pancreatic duct system, preventing more significant health problems down the line.
• Capsule Endoscopy: Proactively safeguard your digestive health with capsule endoscopy—a non-invasive way to examine your small intestine for ulcers, polyps, and other issues that might otherwise go undetected.
• Endoscopy: Take control of your digestive health with an endoscopy – a minimally invasive procedure that screens for and helps prevent serious conditions affecting your esophagus, stomach, and intestines.
• Duodenal Polypectomy: Duodenal polypectomy is a procedure to remove polyps from your duodenum, a part of your small intestine, helping prevent potential complications and enabling early detection of cancerous or precancerous growths.
• Rigid Proctosigmoidoscopy: A rigid proctosigmoidoscopy is a brief procedure that allows your doctor to directly examine your rectum and lower colon for polyps, inflammation, or other abnormalities, helping to detect colorectal cancer early.
• Colonoscopy: A colonoscopy is a proactive step in maintaining digestive health. This procedure screens for colorectal cancer and other colon conditions, allowing for prompt treatment.
• Hemorrhoid Treatment: Don't let hemorrhoids impact your quality of life. Seeking treatment offers relief and can help you avoid future problems.
• Hemorrhoidectomy or Excision of Anal Tags: Hemorrhoidectomy or excision of anal tags is a surgical procedure to remove hemorrhoids or skin tags around the anus, improving comfort and preventing further complications.

Service availability can change, and not all services listed may be appropriate for every patient. For a comprehensive understanding of all available services and to create your personalized screening plan, please schedule a consultation.

All medical services are provided in accordance with the standard scope of practice for Gastroenterology in Florida.

Dr. Jaime Rivera is dedicated to partnering with Caregivers to achieve their unique health objectives. The following examples illustrate how a proactive approach can make a tangible difference in a Patient's life:

• By understanding the patterns of their indigestion and making dietary adjustments, a patient significantly reduced the frequency and severity of discomfort, gaining greater peace of mind about their digestive health.
• By adhering to a proactive screening schedule, a patient successfully maintained a healthy esophagus, significantly reducing their risk of developing esophageal cancer. This peace of mind allowed them to focus on enjoying life's adventures without worry.
• By addressing anal or rectal pain early, a patient avoided potential long-term complications and enjoyed renewed digestive comfort.

These scenarios are illustrative examples of positive health outcomes. Individual results may vary and depend on many factors specific to each patient. He will work with you to define and achieve your personal health goals.

Here are answers to some common questions about proactive Gastrointestinal care with Dr. Jaime Rivera:

What is a Gastroenterologist?

Dr. Rivera is a gastroenterologist, a specialist physician trained to diagnose and treat conditions affecting the digestive system, including the esophagus, stomach, intestines, colon, liver, gallbladder, and pancreas. They are also experts in preventive screenings, such as colonoscopies.

When should I get my first screening colonoscopy?

For average-risk individuals, routine screening colonoscopies are now recommended to begin at age 45. However, those with a family history of colon cancer or other risk factors may need to start earlier. Dr. Rivera will determine the best, personalized screening schedule for you.

What is H. pylori?

H. pylori is a common type of bacteria that can live in the stomach. In some people, it can cause gastritis and ulcers. It can be easily detected with breath or stool tests and effectively treated with a course of antibiotics.

What are gallstones?

Gallstones are small, hard deposits that can form in the gallbladder. Many people have gallstones without any problems. They only become a concern if they cause blockages, leading to pain. Dr. Jaime Rivera can help diagnose this issue.

What is Celiac Disease?

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder where eating gluten, a protein found in wheat, triggers damage to the lining of the small intestine. It's different from a gluten sensitivity, and a proper diagnosis from a gastroenterologist is crucial before starting a gluten-free diet.

What are colon polyps, and are they dangerous?

Colon polyps are small, non-cancerous growths in the colon. Some types can develop into cancer over time. A colonoscopy allows us to find and remove these polyps before they become cancerous, preventing the disease.

I have frequent heartburn. When should I be concerned?

While occasional heartburn is common, frequent or worsening symptoms (more than twice a week) should prompt a visit. This could be a sign of GERD, which if left untreated, can lead to more serious problems. Dr. Rivera can diagnose the cause and create an effective treatment plan.

Are there non-colonoscopy options for colon cancer screening?

Yes, there are other options for colon cancer screening, such as at-home stool-based tests. However, if these tests are positive, a colonoscopy is still necessary to confirm the findings and remove any polyps. Colonoscopy remains the gold standard for both early detection and prevention of colon cancer.

Gastro Health
710 Oak Commons Blvd
Kissimmee FL 34741
Phone: (407) 846-6747

Dr. Jaime Rivera, MD is regulated by the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice) in Florida and is licensed by The Florida Board of Medicine.

National Provider Identifier (NPI): 1508894296

Registration can typically be verified through The Florida Board of Medicine website or by direct inquiry.

The information on this profile, provided by weprevent.org, is for general informational purposes and to help you connect with preventive health partners. It does not constitute direct medical advice from the physician named. Gastroenterology like Dr. Jaime Rivera are skilled in helping patients create proactive health plans. For urgent or life-threatening emergencies, please call 911 or visit the nearest emergency department. It is always recommended to maintain open communication with your gastroenterology about all aspects of your health and your personalized prevention plan.