Dr. Andrew Brown, MD

Dr. Andrew Brown, MD is a Gastroenterology specialist dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive Gastrointestinal care at his clinic in Jacksonville, FL. He is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practices under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice), ensuring your care is delivered with the highest standards of 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 (904) 398-7205 to schedule.

Dr. Brown's extensive experience in Gastrointestinal care, spanning over 20 years, stems from a rigorous educational background. He earned his medical degree from the University of South Alabama Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine in 2001, followed by an internship at Uva Mc and residency training in Gastroenterology at the University of Virginia Medical Center. Further specializing in his field, he completed a fellowship in Gastroenterology at the University of South Alabama. This comprehensive training, coupled with his time as the Chief of Gastroenterology and Director of Endoscopy at the Birmingham VA Medical Center before joining Borland-Groover Clinic in 2009, equips him with a wealth of clinical knowledge and compassionate care. He is Board Certified in Gastroenterology by the American Board of Internal Medicine and actively involved in the development of the clinic's Electronic Medical Record templates. Dr. Brown is committed to providing the highest quality digestive health care in a caring environment, and offers consultations in Spanish.

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

• Intestinal Ischemia: Understanding and managing risk factors such as smoking, high blood pressure, and diabetes is crucial in preventing intestinal ischemia, a condition that severely limits blood flow to the intestines, ensuring better digestive health.
• Duodenal Cancer: A healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet and avoiding tobacco, may reduce your risk of developing duodenal cancer, a cancer that affects the first part of the small intestine, making early detection all the more crucial.
• Viral Hepatitis: Regular check-ups and proactive monitoring for viral hepatitis, especially if you have risk factors, can help ensure early intervention and better long-term outcomes for your liver and overall health.
• Infectious Diarrheal Disease: Infectious diarrhea, often caused by contaminated food or water, can be prevented through careful hygiene practices and safe food handling, protecting you from dehydration and serious complications.
• Cholelithiasis: Early detection of gallstones is crucial, as they can lead to serious complications like inflammation or blockage of the bile duct; regular checkups can help catch them early.
• Ulcerative Colitis: Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that can be better managed with early detection and lifestyle changes, preventing serious complications like colon cancer.
• Anal or Rectal Pain: Regular health monitoring is key to preventing serious digestive problems. Anal or rectal pain should be discussed with your doctor to rule out underlying conditions and maintain optimal gut health.
• Ulcer: Stomach ulcers, often preventable through lifestyle changes like stress management and avoiding NSAIDs, can cause severe complications if left untreated, highlighting the importance of early detection and proactive care.
• Proctoptosis: Managing underlying conditions like chronic constipation can help prevent proctoptosis by supporting the health of the rectum and reducing the strain on the muscles and tissues.
• Pancreatitis: Pancreatitis can be a severe condition, but understanding your family history and adopting preventative measures can significantly reduce your chances of developing this painful inflammatory disease.
• Esophagitis: Esophagitis, or inflammation of the esophagus, can be prevented by managing risk factors like acid reflux and making lifestyle changes to protect your digestive health.
• Intestinal Malabsorption Carbohydrate: Preventing nutritional deficiencies and digestive discomfort starts with understanding carbohydrate malabsorption; early diagnosis helps manage symptoms and prevent serious 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. Andrew Brown offers a range of key preventive screenings and services designed to provide crucial insights into your health and support your well-being:

• Colonoscopy: Invest in your well-being with a colonoscopy. This valuable screening tool helps detect colon cancer and other intestinal issues at an early, more treatable stage.
• Manometry: Manometry is a simple test that measures the pressure in your esophagus, stomach, and intestines to help identify problems with swallowing, digestion, or bowel movements, allowing for early intervention and prevention of complications.
• Wireless pH Testing: This convenient test involves a small sensor that accurately monitors your esophageal pH over time, enabling your doctor to accurately diagnose and effectively manage acid reflux or other esophageal conditions.
• Flexible Sigmoidoscopy: Take a proactive step towards better gut health with a flexible sigmoidoscopy—a screening test that detects early signs of colon cancer and other digestive issues.
• Fecal Occult Blood Test for Colorectal Cancer: Ensure your digestive system's well-being by scheduling a fecal occult blood test; it's a quick and easy way to screen for colorectal cancer and other potential issues.
• Colorectal Cancer Screening: Colorectal cancer screening helps detect precancerous polyps and early-stage cancer in your colon and rectum, giving you a better chance at successful treatment.
• Rigid Proctosigmoidoscopy: For early detection of colorectal cancer and other lower intestinal conditions, a rigid proctosigmoidoscopy is a screening tool that allows for a thorough examination of your rectum and a portion of your colon.
• Colon Cancer Screening: Colon cancer screening helps detect precancerous polyps and early-stage colon cancer, allowing for prompt treatment and improving your chances of survival.
• Liver Biopsy: For early detection and prevention of serious liver problems, a liver biopsy helps your doctor determine the severity of liver disease and tailor a treatment plan to protect your long-term health.
• Duodenal Polypectomy: For comprehensive digestive health management, duodenal polypectomy helps identify and remove polyps in your duodenum, a proactive approach to preventing potential complications like cancer.
• Screening Colonoscopy: Take charge of your colorectal health with a screening colonoscopy: this procedure helps find and remove polyps before they become cancerous, significantly reducing your risk of colon cancer.
• Liver Function Test: Invest in your health by getting a liver function test. This blood test helps monitor your liver's health, allowing for early identification of problems and appropriate medical care.

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. Andrew Brown 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 and managing their blood pressure and diabetes, a patient significantly reduced their risk of intestinal ischemia, gaining peace of mind about their digestive health.
• By maintaining a healthy diet and avoiding tobacco, a patient significantly lowered their risk of duodenal cancer, gaining peace of mind through proactive health management.
• By attending regular check-ups and proactively managing potential risk factors, a patient gained valuable peace of mind regarding their liver health and overall well-being. This proactive approach allowed for early detection and intervention, ensuring optimal long-term health outcomes.

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. Andrew Brown:

What is a Gastroenterologist?

Dr. Brown and our team of gastroenterologists are specialists in the health of your digestive system, including the esophagus, stomach, intestines, colon, liver, gallbladder, and pancreas. We are experts in diagnosing and treating digestive conditions and performing preventive screenings like 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. Brown will determine the best, personalized screening schedule for you.

What are gallstones?

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

What are some common signs of liver problems I should watch for?

Some common signs of liver problems include jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), persistent fatigue, abdominal swelling, and unexplained dark urine. If you experience any of these symptoms, please schedule a consultation with Dr. Andrew Brown for a thorough evaluation.

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

We partner with patients to achieve and maintain remission through a combination of advanced therapies to control inflammation, personalized nutritional guidance, and regular monitoring. This long-term approach aims to prevent flare-ups and improve your overall quality of life.

What is a capsule endoscopy?

A capsule endoscopy is a modern, non-invasive way to examine the small intestine. A small pill-sized camera is swallowed, taking thousands of pictures as it travels through the digestive tract. This allows us to identify issues that might not be visible with other methods.

What is the role of diet in managing IBS?

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

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.

3 Shircliff Way Ste 400
Jacksonville FL 32204
Phone: (904) 398-7205

Dr. Andrew Brown, 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): 1194806489

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. Andrew Brown 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.