Dr. John Chang, MD

Dr. John Chang, MD is a Gastroenterology specialist practicing at his Tampa, FL clinic, 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). 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 (813) 920-8882 to schedule.

Dr. John Chang, MD is a gastroenterologist in Tampa, FL with extensive experience in Esophageal Disorders, Gastrointestinal Disorders, and Pancreatic Disease. He is affiliated with medical facilities St. Joseph's Hospital and AdventHealth Carrollwood. He is accepting new patients and telehealth appointments. Dr. Chang earned his medical degree from the University of South Alabama Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine and completed residency training in Gastroenterology at St. Vincent Catholic Medical Center-NY, specializing in the comprehensive medical care of all ages. He further specialized through fellowship training at Nassau County Medical Center, Long Island, NY, deepening his expertise in a specific area of patient health. He is Board Certified in Gastroenterology by the American Board of Internal Medicine. Dr. Chang's care philosophy emphasizes innovative health care, incorporating preventative care and updated technology in the field of Gastroenterology, aiming to provide utmost care to all patients and partner with HCA corporation to achieve these goals. He hopes to keep Tampa a healthy place. Dr. Chang provides consultations primarily in English.

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

• Ascites: Preventing ascites often involves managing conditions like cirrhosis, which can be achieved through proactive steps such as avoiding excessive alcohol consumption and maintaining a healthy weight.
• Hepatitis A: Hepatitis A is a liver infection preventable through vaccination, protecting you from serious complications and ensuring your digestive system's long-term health.
• Duodenitis: Protecting your digestive health starts with understanding duodenitis: early detection through regular checkups can help prevent serious complications and improve long-term outcomes.
• Esophageal Cancer: Preventing esophageal cancer starts with understanding your risk factors, such as smoking and alcohol use, and taking steps to reduce them.
• Diverticular Diseases: Early detection of diverticular disease is key to preventing serious complications; regular screenings and healthy lifestyle choices can significantly reduce your risk.
• 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.
• Non-Neonatal Jaundice: Non-neonatal jaundice, a yellowish discoloration of the skin and eyes, can signal underlying liver or gallbladder issues, so early detection through regular checkups is crucial for preventing serious complications.
• Intestinal Prolapse: Regular exercise and a high-fiber diet can strengthen your abdominal muscles and promote regular bowel movements, reducing the risk of intestinal prolapse.
• Vomiting Disorders: Understanding and addressing vomiting can prevent serious dehydration and nutritional deficiencies, keeping your entire digestive system healthy.
• Infectious Diarrheal Disease: Practicing good hand hygiene and being mindful of food safety significantly reduces your risk of infectious diarrhea, maintaining the overall health of your digestive tract.
• Celiac Disease: Celiac disease is a serious condition affecting the small intestine; by knowing your risk factors and getting tested, you can reduce the chance of permanent damage and long-term health issues.
• Colon Cancer: Early detection of colon cancer is crucial. Regular colonoscopies and understanding your risk factors allow for timely intervention and improve your chances of long-term health.

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

• Endoscopic Ultrasound: As part of your proactive approach to digestive health, consider an EUS. This procedure offers detailed images of your organs, enabling early diagnosis of conditions like tumors and inflammation before symptoms appear.
• Duodenal Polypectomy: Protecting your digestive system's health, duodenal polypectomy is a procedure that removes polyps from your duodenum, enabling early detection of abnormalities and helping prevent future problems.
• Proctosigmoidoscopy: Taking charge of your health, a proctosigmoidoscopy helps identify polyps or other irregularities in your lower digestive tract, preventing potential issues before they become major problems.
• Hemorrhoidectomy or Excision of Anal Tags: Hemorrhoidectomy or excision of anal tags is a surgical procedure to remove hemorrhoids or skin tags around the anus, improving comfort and preventing further complications.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Endoscopy: Invest in your well-being with a routine endoscopy; this vital procedure helps find and address potential problems within your digestive system before they become major health concerns.
• 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.
• Esophageal Dilatation: Esophageal dilation is a procedure that safely widens a narrowed esophagus, helping you swallow food more easily and preventing future complications.
• 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.

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. John Chang 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 their cirrhosis risk factors and making healthy lifestyle choices, a patient proactively lowered their chances of developing ascites, gaining peace of mind about their future health.
• By getting vaccinated against Hepatitis A, a family ensured a healthy future, free from the worry of liver complications and able to enjoy their life without concern.
• By scheduling regular checkups and following a personalized plan, a patient proactively managed their duodenitis risk, ensuring a healthier digestive system and reducing the chance of future complications.

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. John Chang:

What is a Gastroenterologist?

Dr. Chang and our team are gastroenterologists, specialists who are experts in the health of the digestive system, including the esophagus, stomach, intestines, colon, liver, gallbladder, and pancreas. We diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions and perform 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. Chang will determine the best, personalized screening schedule for you.

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 or difficulty swallowing.

Are there non-colonoscopy options for colon cancer screening?

Yes, there are alternative screening options like at-home stool-based tests. However, a positive result on these tests necessitates a colonoscopy to confirm the findings and remove any potential polyps. Colonoscopy remains the gold standard for both detecting and preventing colon cancer.

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.

Can hemorrhoids be treated without surgery?

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

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, NAFLD can often be reversed with lifestyle changes. However, managing NAFLD is crucial to prevent progression to more serious liver damage, such as cirrhosis.

What is the role of diet in managing IBS?

Diet plays a crucial role in managing IBS. Dr. Chang 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.

11912 Sheldon Rd
Tampa FL 33626
Phone: (813) 920-8882

Dr. John Chang, 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): 1780692517

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. John Chang 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.