Dr. Amy Strickland, MD

Dr. Amy Strickland, MD is a Gastroenterology specialist dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive Gastrointestinal care at her clinic in Saint Petersburg, FL. She is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practices under the 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. She serves all ages and is currently welcoming new patients to begin their proactive health journey. Call (727) 894-1818 to schedule.

Dr. Amy Strickland, MD is a gastroenterologist in Saint Petersburg, FL with over 15 years of experience in the medical field. With a wealth of clinical knowledge and compassionate care, she brings a highly experienced perspective to her patients and their families. She earned her medical degree from George Washington University School Of Medicine & Health Sciences in 2006, and is Board Certified in Gastroenterology by the American Board of Internal Medicine, and Board Certified in Internal Medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine. She has extensive experience in Esophageal Disorders and is affiliated with St. Joseph's Hospital and St. Anthony's Hospital. Dr. Strickland is committed to a collaborative, evidence-based approach to care, fostering a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. She provides consultations primarily in English.

A key part of the WePrevent mission is building your personalized prevention roadmap. Dr. Amy Strickland 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. Amy Strickland 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. Amy Strickland 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:

• Gastrointestinal Bleeding: Lifestyle choices like a balanced diet and avoiding excessive alcohol can significantly reduce your risk of gastrointestinal bleeding and support overall digestive health.
• Colon Cancer: Don't wait for symptoms – proactive colon cancer prevention through regular screenings and a healthy lifestyle helps safeguard your digestive system's well-being.
• Heartburn: Don't ignore persistent heartburn – it might indicate a larger digestive issue. Early diagnosis and management can help prevent long-term damage to your digestive tract.
• Intestinal Prolapse: Understanding your family history of intestinal prolapse and related conditions can assist in identifying and managing your own risk, potentially avoiding the issue altogether.
• Cirrhosis: Cirrhosis can be a severe outcome of untreated liver conditions, highlighting the importance of consistent medical care to prevent irreversible damage.
• Enteritis: Enteritis, or inflammation of the intestines, can be prevented by practicing good hygiene and food safety to avoid infections that trigger it, protecting your digestive health.
• Esophageal Motility Disorders: Esophageal motility disorders affect how your esophagus moves food, and catching them early through regular checkups can prevent serious complications like difficulty swallowing or nutritional deficiencies.
• Familial Adenomatous Polyposis: Because FAP is an inherited disorder causing hundreds or thousands of colon polyps, preventative measures like regular colonoscopies and potential surgery are essential to prevent colon cancer.
• Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: NAFLD, a buildup of fat in your liver not caused by alcohol, can be managed effectively through lifestyle changes, preventing progression to more serious liver diseases and improving long-term health.
• Dysphagia: Managing dysphagia effectively, often through lifestyle changes and medical intervention, helps avoid malnutrition and aspiration pneumonia, preserving your overall digestive health.
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Although IBS doesn't have a known cure, actively managing your symptoms through stress reduction and dietary modifications can improve your quality of life and prevent significant disruptions.
• Diaphragmatic and Hiatal Hernia: A diaphragmatic or hiatal hernia, where part of your stomach pushes up through your diaphragm, can cause heartburn and other issues, highlighting the importance of early detection and lifestyle changes to prevent complications.

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. Amy Strickland offers a range of key preventive screenings and services designed to provide crucial insights into your health and support your well-being:

• Colorectal Cancer Screening: Protecting your future, colorectal cancer screening uses tests to find and remove precancerous growths in your lower digestive tract, significantly reducing your risk of colorectal cancer.
• Fecal Impaction Removal: Safe removal of impacted stool helps restore regular bowel movements and improves your overall digestive health.
• Endoscopy: An endoscopy is a proactive procedure that allows doctors to visually examine your digestive system, helping detect problems like ulcers, polyps, or cancers early on when treatment is most effective.
• 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.
• Rigid Proctosigmoidoscopy: As part of your preventive healthcare, a rigid proctosigmoidoscopy offers a direct examination of your lower intestine, helping identify and address issues like polyps or bleeding before they become major health concerns.
• 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.
• Sigmoidoscopy: Taking charge of your colon health starts with a sigmoidoscopy, a simple test that screens for precancerous polyps and colorectal cancer, often preventing these conditions from developing.
• pH Probe: A pH probe helps your doctor measure the acid levels in your esophagus to detect and prevent conditions like GERD and Barrett's esophagus.
• Anoscopy: To ensure the health of your lower digestive tract, an anoscopy is a simple examination that helps detect and prevent serious conditions by identifying them in their early stages.
• Liver Biopsy: Taking a proactive step towards liver health, a liver biopsy provides valuable insights into liver function and can detect diseases like hepatitis or cirrhosis before they cause significant damage.
• Duodenal Polypectomy: As part of your commitment to digestive health, duodenal polypectomy allows for the removal of polyps in your duodenum, potentially preventing the development of more serious conditions.
• ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography): An ERCP is a specialized procedure to investigate and address concerns in your biliary system and pancreas, acting as an important early diagnostic tool to prevent major health problems.

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. Amy Strickland 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 adopting a balanced diet and moderating alcohol consumption, a patient significantly reduced their risk of gastrointestinal bleeding, enjoying improved digestive health and peace of mind.
• By adhering to a proactive screening schedule and maintaining a healthy diet, a patient significantly reduced their risk of colon cancer, fostering a sense of well-being and peace of mind.
• By understanding the underlying cause of their persistent heartburn and following a personalized plan, a patient significantly reduced their discomfort and avoided potential long-term digestive problems.

These scenarios are illustrative examples of positive health outcomes. Individual results may vary and depend on many factors specific to each patient. She 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. Amy Strickland:

What is a Gastroenterologist?

Dr. Strickland 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. She is also an expert 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, individuals with a family history of colon cancer or other risk factors may need to start earlier. Dr. Strickland will determine the best, personalized screening schedule for you.

I have frequent heartburn. When should I be concerned?

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

What are colon polyps, and are they dangerous?

Colon polyps are small, non-cancerous growths in the colon. However, some can develop into cancer over time. A colonoscopy is vital to find and remove these polyps before they have a chance to become cancerous, effectively preventing the disease.

What is the role of diet in managing IBS?

Diet plays a crucial role in managing IBS. Dr. Strickland can help identify your trigger foods and recommend dietary approaches, like the low FODMAP diet, to significantly reduce symptoms like bloating, gas, and abdominal pain.

What is 'fatty liver disease' and is it serious?

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a very common condition often linked to metabolic health issues like obesity and diabetes. In its early stages, it can often be reversed with lifestyle changes, but managing it is key to preventing progression to more serious liver damage, like cirrhosis.

Is the preparation for a colonoscopy difficult?

We understand that colonoscopy prep can be a concern, but modern solutions are much easier to tolerate than in the past. A clean colon is essential for a thorough examination, and the one-day prep is a small price to pay for the peace of mind of a comprehensive colon screening.

How do you manage chronic conditions like Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis?

We partner with patients to achieve and maintain remission for chronic conditions like Crohn's and ulcerative colitis. This involves advanced therapies to control inflammation, personalized nutritional guidance, and regular monitoring to prevent flare-ups and improve quality of life. We are committed to a long-term approach, fostering a strong patient-physician relationship.

620 10th St N Ste 3B
Saint Petersburg FL 33705
Phone: (727) 894-1818

Dr. Amy Strickland, 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): 1194986281

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. Amy Strickland 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.