Dr. Edward Jurkovic, DO

Dr. Edward Jurkovic, DO is a Gastroenterology specialist dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive Gastrointestinal care at his clinic in Fort Myers, FL. He is a registered member of 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 committed to a collaborative, evidence-based approach to medicine, fostering an environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. Please call (239) 343-6202 to confirm if Dr. Jurkovic is currently accepting new patients.

Dr. Edward Jurkovic, DO is a gastroenterologist in Fort Myers, FL with over 30 years of experience in the medical field. He has extensive experience in Pancreatic Disease and brings a wealth of clinical knowledge and compassionate care to his patients and their families. Dr. Jurkovic earned his medical degree from Midwestern University Chicago College Of Osteopathic Medicine in 1990 and is Board Certified in Gastroenterology by the American Osteopathic Board of Internal Medicine. He is affiliated with Lee Memorial Hospital and is committed to providing the highest quality care. He is a dedicated advocate for prevention and proactive health management, offering personalized plans and crucial screenings to maintain optimal digestive wellness. Dr. Edward Jurkovic provides consultations primarily in English.

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

• Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: Protecting your liver starts with understanding NAFLD – a condition caused by excess fat accumulating in the liver, often preventable through healthy eating and exercise habits.
• Peptic Ulcer: Peptic ulcers, sores in your stomach or intestine, highlight the importance of proactive digestive health management, encompassing regular checkups and addressing risk factors to prevent serious outcomes.
• Alcoholic Hepatic Failure: Regular health screenings and conscious alcohol consumption are vital strategies to prevent alcoholic hepatic failure, a serious and potentially fatal consequence of excessive drinking.
• Upper Digestive Tract Cancer: Upper digestive tract cancers, including those of the esophagus and stomach, are more easily treated when detected early, highlighting the importance of regular screenings and preventive health checkups.
• Esophageal Varices: Preventing esophageal varices involves managing underlying liver conditions like cirrhosis, as these swollen veins in your esophagus can lead to life-threatening bleeding if left untreated.
• Mallory-Weiss Syndrome: Lifestyle modifications that focus on avoiding activities that increase pressure in the esophagus, like forceful vomiting, are key preventative measures against the development of Mallory-Weiss syndrome, illustrating the power of proactive lifestyle choices.
• Esophageal Ulcer: Protecting your esophagus from ulcers starts with understanding and managing conditions like GERD, as untreated acid reflux is a major cause of esophageal ulcers.
• Enteritis: Proper handwashing and avoiding contaminated food and water are crucial preventive measures against enteritis, safeguarding your intestinal well-being.
• Intestinal Ulcer: Managing underlying conditions like Crohn's disease or H. pylori infection is crucial in preventing intestinal ulcers and ensuring a healthy digestive system.
• Dysentery: Proper hygiene and safe water and food practices are key to preventing dysentery, a serious infection that can significantly affect the health of your intestines.
• Colorectal Polyp: Preventing colorectal cancer often starts with finding and removing colorectal polyps. This emphasizes the crucial role of regular screenings in maintaining good digestive health.
• Lactose Intolerance: Understanding your body's response to lactose allows for proactive management, reducing symptoms and preventing complications down the line.

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

• 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.
• 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.
• Colon Cancer Screening: Protecting your future starts with a colon cancer screening, which identifies abnormalities in your colon that can lead to cancer.
• 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.
• ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography): For comprehensive digestive health, ERCP offers a direct way to detect and treat blockages or diseases affecting your bile ducts and pancreas, thereby preventing severe complications and improving your overall well-being.
• Bile Duct Procedure: A bile duct procedure can help detect and address problems like blockages or infections early, improving your liver and pancreas health.
• Proctosigmoidoscopy: Protecting your gut health, a proctosigmoidoscopy is a simple procedure to screen for colon cancer and other potentially serious conditions in your rectum and lower colon.
• Sigmoidoscopy: A sigmoidoscopy is a proactive step towards better colon health, providing an opportunity for the early identification and removal of polyps that could develop into cancer.
• 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.
• Endoscopy: Protecting your digestive health starts with an endoscopy, which provides detailed images of your entire digestive tract, enabling early detection and treatment of a wide range of issues.
• 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.
• 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.

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. Edward Jurkovic 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 healthy diet and incorporating regular exercise into their routine, a patient significantly reduced their risk factors for Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, achieving a healthier lifestyle and greater peace of mind.
• By addressing lifestyle factors and undergoing regular checkups, a patient significantly reduced their risk of developing peptic ulcers, gaining valuable peace of mind about their digestive health.
• By prioritizing regular health screenings and making informed choices about alcohol consumption, a patient significantly reduced their risk of alcoholic hepatic failure, gaining peace of mind and a healthier future.

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. Edward Jurkovic:

What is a Gastroenterologist?

Dr. Jurkovic and our team are gastroenterologists, meaning we are specialists in the health of your digestive system, including your esophagus, stomach, intestines, colon, liver, gallbladder, and pancreas. We are experts in diagnosing and treating digestive conditions, and we also perform important 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, individuals with a family history of colon cancer or other risk factors may need to start earlier. Dr. Jurkovic 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. Jurkovic. This could be a sign of GERD, which if left untreated, can lead to more serious problems. Dr. Jurkovic can diagnose the cause and create an effective treatment plan.

What is the role of diet in managing IBS?

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

Can hemorrhoids be treated without surgery?

Yes, most hemorrhoids can be effectively managed with lifestyle and diet changes. For persistent internal hemorrhoids, Dr. Jurkovic can perform simple, painless in-office procedures like hemorrhoid banding.

Is the preparation for a colonoscopy difficult?

Many patients have concerns about colonoscopy preparation, but modern prep solutions are much easier to tolerate than in the past. A clean colon is essential for a thorough exam, and the one-day prep is a small price to pay for long-term peace of mind.

What are colon polyps, and are they dangerous?

Colon polyps are small, non-cancerous growths in the colon. While some types can potentially become cancerous over time, a colonoscopy allows us to find and remove these polyps before they have a chance to develop into cancer, thus preventing the disease.

Are there non-colonoscopy options for colon cancer screening?

Yes, there are other options for colon cancer screening, including at-home stool-based tests. However, if these tests are positive, a colonoscopy is still necessary to fully evaluate and remove any suspicious growths. Colonoscopy remains the gold standard for both detecting and preventing colon cancer.

16410 Healthpark Commons Dr
Fort Myers FL 33908
Phone: (239) 343-6202

Dr. Edward Jurkovic, 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): 1558360842

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. Edward Jurkovic 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.