Dr. Kenneth Devault, MD

Dr. Kenneth Devault, 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). 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. Dr. Devault's interests include esophageal motility, reflux and other esophageal diseases, and motility disorders, and with over 10 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 Wake Forest School Of Medicine in 2012, is Board Certified in Gastroenterology by the American Board of Internal Medicine, and Board Certified in Internal Medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine. Dr. Devault's approach to care is collaborative and evidence-based, fostering a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. He provides consultations primarily in English. Call (904) 914-8182 to schedule.

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

• Nausea: Understanding the causes of your nausea is key to preventing further digestive discomfort and potential long-term health issues; talk to your doctor if it's persistent.
• Gastroptosis: By maintaining a healthy weight and practicing good posture, you can proactively reduce the risk of developing gastroptosis and minimize potential complications related to digestive health.
• Heartburn: Heartburn, that burning sensation in your chest, can be a sign of GERD and if left unmanaged, could lead to more serious esophageal problems, so it's important to address it early.
• Esophagitis: Managing chronic conditions like GERD that may lead to esophagitis is key to preventing long-term damage and maintaining the overall health of your digestive system.
• Proctoptosis: Regular health screenings can help identify proctoptosis early, allowing for less invasive treatment options and reducing the likelihood of long-term digestive problems.
• 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.
• Sclerosing Mesenteritis: Sclerosing mesenteritis involves the thickening of fatty tissue in your abdomen; proactive health monitoring helps with early diagnosis and reduces the severity of this condition.
• Gastroschisis: While gastroschisis can't be prevented, prompt diagnosis and immediate surgical intervention shortly after birth is vital in mitigating complications and ensuring a healthy outcome.
• Primary Biliary Cholangitis: Protecting your liver involves understanding conditions like primary biliary cholangitis (PBC); early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent complications like cirrhosis and liver failure.
• Pouchitis: Early detection of pouchitis, an inflammation of the pouch created in some bowel surgeries, is crucial for preventing the worsening of symptoms and potential life-threatening consequences.
• Ileus: Early detection of ileus, through awareness of symptoms like abdominal pain and bloating, is crucial to prevent serious complications like infection or bowel damage.
• Pylorospasm: Understanding pylorospasm, a condition causing stomach emptying difficulties, is key to preventing severe vomiting and nutritional deficiencies in infants and sometimes adults. Early detection is vital for timely intervention.

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

• Colonoscopy: Protect your future by scheduling a colonoscopy; this procedure provides an in-depth look at your colon, enabling early detection and removal of precancerous polyps.
• Duodenal Polypectomy: As part of your commitment to digestive health, duodenal polypectomy allows for the removal of polyps in your duodenum, potentially preventing the development of more serious conditions.
• 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.
• 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.
• Flexible Sigmoidoscopy: A flexible sigmoidoscopy is a simple procedure that allows your doctor to examine your lower colon for polyps and other abnormalities, helping prevent colorectal cancer.
• Manometry: Manometry is a valuable tool for preventing long-term digestive problems. By accurately measuring pressure in your digestive system, it allows for early diagnosis of conditions like achalasia or gastroparesis, enabling timely treatment and improved quality of life.
• Proctosigmoidoscopy: For early diagnosis of colorectal issues, a proctosigmoidoscopy allows your doctor to directly examine the lower part of your large intestine for signs of disease and inflammation.
• 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.
• 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.

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. Kenneth Devault 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 the triggers for their nausea and implementing lifestyle changes, a patient significantly reduced their digestive discomfort and improved their overall well-being. This proactive approach allowed them to confidently enjoy daily activities without the constant worry of nausea.
• By maintaining a healthy weight and practicing good posture, a patient proactively reduced the risk of gastroptosis, gaining peace of mind about their digestive health.
• By understanding the early warning signs of heartburn and implementing lifestyle changes, a patient significantly reduced their discomfort and avoided potential long-term 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. Kenneth Devault:

What is a Gastroenterologist?

A gastroenterologist is a specialist physician who is expertly trained in the health of the digestive system, including the esophagus, stomach, intestines, colon, liver, gallbladder, and pancreas. They are experts in diagnosing and treating digestive conditions, and perform 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. Devault will determine the best, personalized screening schedule for you.

What are colon polyps, and are they dangerous?

Colon polyps are small, non-cancerous growths in the colon. Some types can, over time, develop into cancer. A colonoscopy is crucial to find and remove these polyps before they become cancerous, preventing the disease.

What is Celiac Disease?

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder where consuming gluten, a protein found in wheat, triggers damage to the small intestine. It's important to distinguish this from a simple gluten sensitivity, as a proper diagnosis from a gastroenterologist like Dr. Devault is crucial before starting a gluten-free diet.

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

Are there non-colonoscopy options for colon cancer screening?

While at-home stool-based tests like Cologuard® or FIT are available, a colonoscopy remains the gold standard for colon cancer screening and prevention. If these tests yield a positive result, a colonoscopy is necessary to further evaluate and remove any detected polyps.

Is the preparation for a colonoscopy difficult?

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

What is the role of diet in managing IBS?

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

4500 San Pablo Rd S
Jacksonville FL 32224
Phone: (904) 914-8182

Dr. Kenneth Devault, 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): 1386633253

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. Kenneth Devault 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.