Dr. Fares Hakim, MD

Dr. Fares Hakim, MD is a Gastroenterology specialist practicing at his clinic in Pensacola, FL, dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive Gastrointestinal care. He is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practices under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice), ensuring patients receive the highest quality and legally compliant care. 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; please call (850) 275-9661 to schedule.

Dr. Fares Hakim, MD is a gastroenterologist in Pensacola, FL with over 35 years of experience in the medical field, significantly deepening his expertise in Pancreatic Disease and Esophageal Disorders. He graduated from the University of Damascus in 1987 and is affiliated with HCA Florida West 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 Faculty of Medicine and completed an internship, followed by residency and fellowship training at various prestigious institutions including Augusta University Medical College of Georgia, Medical College of Georgia Hospital and Clinic, Va Medical Center, Washington Dc Va Medical Center, University Rochester, and others. He is Board Certified in Gastroenterology by the National Board of Physicians and Surgeons, and Board Certified in Gastroenterology by the American Board of Internal Medicine, and Board Certified in Internal Medicine by the National Board of Physicians and Surgeons. Every patient deserves the best care that I would want my family members to have. Dr. Hakim offers consultations in Arabic.

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

• 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.
• Intestinal Diverticulitis: By focusing on preventive measures like a fiber-rich diet and regular exercise, you can significantly lower your chances of developing intestinal diverticulitis and maintain a healthy digestive system.
• Liver Abscess: Early diagnosis and treatment of infections that may spread to the liver are vital preventive steps to avoid the potentially deadly complication of a liver abscess.
• Esophageal Diseases: Protecting your esophagus through healthy lifestyle choices and regular check-ups can significantly reduce your risk of developing serious esophageal diseases.
• Colorectal Cancer: Protecting your digestive health includes regular colorectal cancer screenings; early detection dramatically increases survival rates and reduces the need for extensive treatment.
• Alcoholic Hepatic Failure: Alcoholic hepatic failure is a severe liver condition caused by excessive alcohol consumption, highlighting the importance of moderate alcohol intake for overall liver health.
• Intestinal Obstruction: Early diagnosis and treatment of conditions that can lead to intestinal obstruction, such as tumors or hernias, is crucial for preventing surgical intervention and preserving digestive health.
• Hepatitis B - Immune Response: Knowing your Hepatitis B immunity status through testing allows for proactive management, preventing potential liver damage and protecting the health of your digestive system.
• Vomiting Disorders: Managing vomiting effectively prevents further damage to your esophagus and stomach lining, promoting better overall digestive health.
• Alcoholic Hepatitis: Alcoholic hepatitis underscores the significance of responsible drinking habits for maintaining a healthy digestive system, particularly the liver.
• Liver Damage from Alcohol: Liver disease from alcohol is preventable! Moderating your alcohol consumption, combined with regular health monitoring, can significantly reduce your risk and safeguard your digestive system.
• Hiatal Hernia: Early detection of a hiatal hernia is key; understanding your risk factors and recognizing symptoms allows for timely intervention and prevents long-term digestive issues.

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

• Colonoscopy With Polypectomy: As a preventive measure, a colonoscopy with polypectomy helps detect and remove polyps, which can potentially become cancerous, ensuring the ongoing health of your digestive system.
• Wireless pH Testing: Proactively safeguard your digestive system by undergoing wireless pH testing; this painless procedure helps diagnose the cause of persistent acid reflux or swallowing difficulties.
• Esophageal pH Monitoring: This painless procedure screens for acid reflux and GERD by directly measuring stomach acid levels in your esophagus, helping to prevent or treat these conditions 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.
• 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.
• Small Bowel Enteroscopy: Take a proactive step in protecting your digestive health with small bowel enteroscopy, a screening tool that can identify and help address issues in your small intestine before they become major problems.
• Capsule Endoscopy: Capsule endoscopy is a simple test that helps find problems in your small intestine, enabling early detection and treatment of conditions like bleeding or tumors, preventing more serious health issues down the line.
• Bile Duct Procedure: A bile duct procedure can help detect and address problems like blockages or infections early, improving your liver and pancreas health.
• Sigmoidoscopy: For peace of mind and to ensure the health of your lower digestive system, a sigmoidoscopy offers an effective screening tool to identify and address issues before they become serious.
• Proctosigmoidoscopy: A proctosigmoidoscopy is a quick screening test that allows your doctor to visually examine your rectum and sigmoid colon for any abnormalities, helping detect colon cancer early.
• 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.
• Enteroscopy: Enteroscopy is a specialized procedure that allows doctors to visualize the entire small intestine, helping detect abnormalities early and prevent serious digestive issues.

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. Fares Hakim 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 addressing lifestyle factors and undergoing regular checkups, a patient significantly reduced their risk of developing peptic ulcers, gaining peace of mind about their digestive health.
• By adopting a high-fiber diet and incorporating regular exercise into their routine, a patient significantly reduced their risk of developing intestinal diverticulitis, fostering a healthier digestive system and greater peace of mind.
• By proactively managing underlying infections, a patient significantly reduced their risk of developing a liver abscess, achieving 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. Fares Hakim:

What is a Gastroenterologist?

Dr. Hakim and our gastroenterology team 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 conditions, and in 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. Hakim will determine the best, personalized screening schedule for you.

Can hemorrhoids be treated without surgery?

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

What is the difference between a colonoscopy and an upper endoscopy (EGD)?

A colonoscopy examines the large intestine (colon) to screen for colon cancer, while an upper endoscopy (EGD) examines the esophagus, stomach, and the first part of the small intestine to diagnose issues like heartburn, ulcers, or difficulty swallowing.

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 contact Dr. Fares Hakim for a consultation and thorough evaluation.

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. However, managing it is important to prevent progression to more serious liver damage, such as cirrhosis.

What is a capsule endoscopy?

Capsule endoscopy is a modern, non-invasive way to examine the small intestine, an area difficult to reach with traditional scopes. A small pill-sized camera is swallowed, taking thousands of pictures as it travels through your digestive tract.

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

We partner with patients to achieve and maintain remission of chronic conditions like Crohn's and ulcerative colitis. This involves advanced therapies to control inflammation, personalized nutritional guidance, and ongoing monitoring to prevent flare-ups and improve quality of life.

5147 N 9th Ave Ste 311
Pensacola FL 32504
Phone: (850) 275-9661

Dr. Fares Hakim, 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): 1841383304

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. Fares Hakim 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.