Dr. Khalid Alam, MD

Dr. Khalid Alam, MD is a Gastroenterology specialist practicing at his clinic in Fort Myers, 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. Call (239) 343-6202 to schedule.

Dr. Khalid Alam, MD is a gastroenterologist in Fort Myers, FL with over 40 years of experience in the medical field. A Board Certified Gastroenterologist by the American Board of Internal Medicine, Dr. Alam has extensive experience in Esophageal Disorders and is affiliated with Cape Coral Hospital and Lee Memorial Hospital. He earned his medical degree from Indiana University School of Medicine in 1983, and with over 40 years of dedicated experience in Gastrointestinal care, he brings a wealth of clinical knowledge and compassionate care to his patients and their families. His approach to care is collaborative and evidence-based, creating a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. Dr. Alam is accepting new patients and telehealth appointments. Dr. Khalid Alam provides consultations primarily in English.

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

• Colon Cancer: Protecting your digestive health includes being proactive about colon cancer: regular screenings can catch it in its early, treatable stages, preventing serious complications.
• Gastrointestinal Malabsorption: Gastrointestinal malabsorption means your digestive system isn't absorbing nutrients properly, which can lead to serious health problems if not caught early; regular checkups and a healthy diet can help prevent complications.
• 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.
• Lactose Intolerance: Lactose intolerance, a difficulty digesting dairy, can be managed through dietary changes to prevent discomfort and maintain digestive health.
• Autoimmune Hepatitis: Autoimmune hepatitis is a serious liver disease where your immune system mistakenly attacks your liver, making early detection crucial for preventing long-term liver damage.
• Congenital Anomaly Esophagus: A congenital anomaly of the esophagus means the food pipe didn't develop properly before birth, and managing it properly from the start is essential to avoid feeding difficulties and long-term health challenges.
• Sclerosing Mesenteritis: Sclerosing mesenteritis is a rare condition where your abdominal lining thickens, and early detection through regular checkups can help prevent serious complications.
• Neoplasm of Gastrointestinal Tract: Protecting your digestive system through regular screenings and healthy lifestyle choices can help detect gastrointestinal cancers, like colon cancer, early when treatment is most effective.
• 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.
• Intestinal Fistula: Intestinal fistulas, abnormal connections within your intestines, can lead to significant health problems; regular checkups and attentive monitoring of your digestive health can support early detection and effective intervention.
• Alcoholic Cirrhosis: Regular liver function tests and discussions with your healthcare provider are critical steps in preventing alcoholic cirrhosis and managing its progression if diagnosed.
• Alcoholic Gastritis: Managing alcoholic gastritis involves limiting or avoiding alcohol to allow your stomach lining to heal and prevent long-term damage, such as increased risk of stomach cancer.

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

• Colonoscopy: Invest in your well-being with a colonoscopy. This valuable screening tool helps detect colon cancer and other intestinal issues at an early, more treatable stage.
• Duodenal Polypectomy: For comprehensive digestive health management, duodenal polypectomy helps identify and remove polyps in your duodenum, a proactive approach to preventing potential complications like cancer.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Liver Function Test: Take charge of your liver health: a liver function test screens for liver damage or disease, enabling preventative measures and improving your long-term wellbeing.
• Screening Colonoscopy: Take charge of your colorectal health with a screening colonoscopy: this procedure helps find and remove polyps before they become cancerous, significantly reducing your risk of colon cancer.
• Endoscopy: An endoscopy is a powerful diagnostic tool that allows for early detection of diseases within your digestive system, improving your chances of successful treatment and potentially saving your life.
• 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.
• Wireless pH Testing: This convenient test involves a small sensor that accurately monitors your esophageal pH over time, enabling your doctor to accurately diagnose and effectively manage acid reflux or other esophageal conditions.

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. Khalid Alam 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 diligently following a personalized screening plan, a patient achieved peace of mind, knowing they were proactively managing their colon cancer risk and reducing potential complications.
• By adhering to a personalized dietary plan and attending regular checkups, a patient proactively managed their gastrointestinal health, reducing the risk of future complications and enjoying a healthier lifestyle.
• By understanding and addressing potential esophageal motility disorder risk factors, a patient proactively reduced discomfort and improved digestive health, ensuring a smoother, more comfortable daily life.

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. Khalid Alam:

What is a Gastroenterologist?

Dr. Alam is a gastroenterologist, a specialist physician trained to diagnose and treat conditions affecting the digestive system, including the esophagus, stomach, intestines, colon, liver, gallbladder, and pancreas. They are experts in preventive screenings, such as colonoscopies, to maintain digestive health.

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. Alam will determine the best, personalized screening schedule for you.

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

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

I have frequent heartburn. When should I be concerned?

While occasional heartburn is common, frequent or worsening symptoms (more than twice a week) should be evaluated. This could be a sign of GERD, which, if left untreated, can lead to more serious problems. Dr. Alam 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.

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 identify issues like heartburn, ulcers, or difficulty swallowing.

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 crucial to prevent progression to more serious liver damage, such as cirrhosis.

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 different from a simple gluten sensitivity, and a proper diagnosis from a gastroenterologist is crucial before making dietary changes.

9800 S Healthpark Dr Ste 110
Fort Myers FL 33908
Phone: (239) 343-6202

Dr. Khalid Alam, 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): 1578557575

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. Khalid Alam 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.