Dr. Carla Duffoo, DO

Dr. Carla Duffoo, DO is a Gastroenterology specialist practicing at her clinic in Tampa, FL, dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive Gastrointestinal care. Registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practicing under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice), she is committed to being a partner in your lifelong digestive health journey. 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 patients should call (813) 972-2000 to confirm if she is currently accepting new patients.

Dr. Carla Duffoo, DO is a gastroenterologist in Tampa, FL. She is accepting telehealth appointments. Dr. Duffoo earned her medical degree from Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College Of Osteopathic Medicine and is Board Certified in Gastroenterology by the American Osteopathic Board of Internal Medicine. She believes in a collaborative, evidence-based approach to medicine, creating a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. Her commitment to providing comprehensive care extends to her dedication to creating a positive and supportive experience for all her patients. Dr. Carla Duffoo provides consultations primarily in English.

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

• Diarrhea: Persistent diarrhea can be a sign of underlying digestive issues, so seeking medical attention early helps prevent serious complications and ensures timely treatment.
• Duodenal Cancer: Managing risk factors like chronic inflammation and infection helps prevent duodenal cancer and other serious digestive conditions, emphasizing the significance of proactive healthcare.
• 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.
• Gastroptosis: Preventive measures like regular exercise and a balanced diet may help strengthen abdominal muscles, potentially reducing the likelihood or severity of gastroptosis and associated symptoms.
• Esophageal Motility Disorders: Protecting your digestive health starts with understanding esophageal motility disorders, which can disrupt food passage; proactive lifestyle choices and early detection help avoid long-term issues.
• Liver Damage from Alcohol: Protecting your liver from alcohol-related damage starts with understanding your risk and making informed choices about alcohol intake to maintain a healthy digestive system.
• Ascites: Ascites, or fluid buildup in your abdomen, can be a serious sign of underlying liver disease, so regular checkups and healthy lifestyle choices are crucial for early detection and prevention of complications.
• Upper Digestive Tract Cancer: Early detection of upper digestive tract cancers through endoscopy and other screenings allows for prompt treatment, minimizing the likelihood of complications and improving the chances of successful outcomes.
• Esophageal Achalasia and Cardiospasm: Esophageal achalasia and cardiospasm are conditions where your esophagus doesn't relax properly, making it hard to swallow; early detection through regular checkups can prevent serious complications like malnutrition and esophageal damage.
• Malnutrition: Malnutrition weakens your digestive system, making you more vulnerable to illness, so prioritizing good nutrition is key to preventing problems.
• Intestinal Obstruction: Maintaining a healthy gut microbiome and preventing chronic conditions such as severe adhesions post-surgery can significantly decrease your chances of developing an intestinal obstruction.
• Gas-Bloat Syndrome: Gas-bloat syndrome highlights the importance of proactive digestive health; early detection and management can help maintain gut comfort and 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. Carla Duffoo 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: Colorectal cancer screening helps detect precancerous polyps and early-stage cancer in your colon and rectum, giving you a better chance at successful treatment.
• Screening Colonoscopy: Invest in your well-being with a screening colonoscopy; it's a vital preventive measure to identify and address potential problems in your colon and rectum before they become life-threatening.
• Liver Function Test: A liver function test is a simple blood test that helps proactively assess the health of your liver and detect potential problems early, allowing for timely intervention.
• 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: To safeguard your digestive health, a rigid proctosigmoidoscopy is a procedure used to visually inspect your rectum and lower colon, detecting problems early and helping to prevent more invasive treatments later.
• Colon Cancer Screening: Early detection saves lives! Colon cancer screening allows for the early discovery and treatment of colon cancer, increasing your chances of a positive outcome.
• 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.
• Flexible Sigmoidoscopy: Ensure the health of your lower digestive tract with a flexible sigmoidoscopy. This screening procedure helps find and remove precancerous polyps, lowering your risk of colorectal cancer.
• 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.
• Wireless pH Testing: Wireless pH testing offers a non-invasive way to assess your stomach acid levels, contributing to the early detection and effective management of acid reflux and related complications.
• pH Probe: Taking a proactive step towards digestive health, a pH probe test helps identify the cause of your heartburn and other reflux symptoms, allowing for early intervention.
• 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.

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. Carla Duffoo 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:

• Recognizing persistent diarrhea as a potential sign of underlying issues, a patient proactively sought gastroenterological guidance, reducing the risk of complications and ensuring prompt treatment. This proactive approach provided the patient with peace of mind and confidence in managing their digestive health.
• By understanding and addressing chronic inflammation, a patient proactively reduced their risk of duodenal cancer and other digestive issues, fostering a healthier, more confident future.
• By adopting meticulous food safety practices and maintaining excellent hygiene, a family significantly reduced their risk of developing enteritis, ensuring a healthy and comfortable digestive journey.

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. Carla Duffoo:

What is a Gastroenterologist?

Dr. Duffoo and our team are gastroenterologists, specializing in the health of your digestive system, including the esophagus, stomach, intestines, colon, liver, gallbladder, and pancreas. We are experts in diagnosing and treating 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. Duffoo will determine the best, personalized screening schedule for you.

What is the role of diet in managing IBS?

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

What is a capsule endoscopy?

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 for a detailed view of the small intestine, an area often hard to reach with traditional scopes.

What is Celiac Disease?

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder where consuming gluten, a protein found in wheat, triggers damage to the lining of the small intestine. While gluten sensitivity may share some symptoms, a proper diagnosis by a gastroenterologist is crucial before starting a gluten-free diet.

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. Fortunately, in its early stages, it can often be reversed with lifestyle changes. However, managing NAFLD is crucial to prevent progression to more serious liver damage like cirrhosis.

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 to Dr. Duffoo's office. This could be a sign of GERD, which if left untreated, can lead to more serious problems. Dr. Duffoo can diagnose the cause and create an effective treatment plan.

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.

13000 Bruce B Downs Blvd # 111B
Tampa FL 33612
Phone: (813) 972-2000

Dr. Carla Duffoo, DO 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): 1043471014

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. Carla Duffoo 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.