Dr. Maria Valdes, MD

Dr. Maria Valdes, MD is a Gastroenterology specialist practicing at her clinic in Naples, FL, dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive Gastrointestinal care. Registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practicing under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice), she is committed to the prevention of digestive issues. 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. She serves all ages and is currently welcoming new patients to begin their proactive health journey. Call (239) 348-4221 to schedule.

Dr. Maria Valdes, MD is a gastroenterologist in Naples, FL with over 30 years of experience in the medical field. With this extensive experience in Gastrointestinal care, she brings a wealth of clinical knowledge and compassionate care to her patients and their families. She earned her medical degree from St. Georges University School Of Medicine in 1991 and is Board Certified in Gastroenterology by the American Board of Internal Medicine. Dr. Valdes has significant experience in Pancreatic Disease and is affiliated with Physicians Regional Medical Center Pine Ridge. She is committed to a collaborative, evidence-based approach to medicine, creating a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. Dr. Valdes is fluent in French and also offers consultations in Spanish.

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

• Alcoholic Hepatic Failure: Alcoholic hepatic failure is a preventable condition. Making healthy lifestyle choices, including limiting alcohol, can safeguard your liver's long-term health.
• Bile Duct Obstruction: Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet and regular exercise, may help reduce your risk of developing gallstones, a common cause of bile duct obstruction, and keep your digestive system functioning properly.
• 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.
• Intestinal Obstruction: Protecting your digestive system from intestinal obstruction involves promptly addressing symptoms like persistent constipation and abdominal pain, ensuring early intervention and preventing severe health consequences.
• Eosinophilic Esophagitis: Managing eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) effectively involves regular check-ups and adherence to your treatment plan to reduce inflammation in your esophagus and avoid the risks of strictures and other complications.
• Gastroptosis: Gastroptosis, or a dropped stomach, can sometimes lead to digestive issues, so maintaining a healthy weight and strong core muscles through preventive measures can help reduce your risk and prevent complications.
• Duodenitis: While some causes of duodenitis are unavoidable, maintaining a balanced diet and avoiding known irritants like excessive alcohol can reduce your risk and minimize inflammation.
• Ascites: Ascites, or fluid buildup in your abdomen, can be a serious sign of underlying liver disease, so regular checkups and healthy lifestyle choices are crucial for early detection and prevention of complications.
• Hepatitis C: Preventing the spread of Hepatitis C relies on understanding and managing risk factors such as sharing needles, promoting safe sexual practices, and avoiding exposure to infected blood.
• Nausea: While occasional nausea is normal, frequent nausea may indicate a problem with your digestive system, highlighting the importance of proactive healthcare to maintain gut health.
• Pyloric Stenosis: Pyloric stenosis, a narrowing of the stomach's pyloric valve, can be identified early through regular checkups, preventing serious feeding difficulties and dehydration in infants.
• Barretts Esophagus with Dysplasia: Having Barrett's esophagus with dysplasia means your esophagus cells have abnormal changes, making you more prone to cancer; proactive management through regular monitoring and lifestyle adjustments can significantly reduce this risk.

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

• Flexible Sigmoidoscopy: Protecting your digestive health starts with early detection. A flexible sigmoidoscopy screens for polyps and other problems in your lower bowel, enabling prompt treatment.
• 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.
• Biliary Drainage: Regular checks of your biliary system can help detect problems early, such as blockages or inflammation, leading to quicker treatment.
• 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.
• 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.
• Duodenal Polypectomy: Taking a proactive step towards digestive health, duodenal polypectomy involves the removal of small growths (polyps) in your duodenum, reducing your risk of future complications.
• 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.
• pH Probe: To prevent serious complications, a pH probe accurately measures stomach acid reflux, aiding in the early diagnosis and treatment of esophageal disorders.
• Wireless pH Testing: Take control of your digestive health with wireless pH testing – a comfortable way to identify the source of your heartburn and acid reflux symptoms.
• Bile Duct Procedure: Taking a proactive step towards digestive health, a bile duct procedure helps identify and treat bile duct abnormalities that may cause discomfort or more serious problems.
• Liver Biopsy: A liver biopsy is a small procedure that helps doctors diagnose and monitor liver conditions early, allowing for timely treatment and better health outcomes.
• Colon Cancer Screening: Protecting your future starts with a colon cancer screening, which identifies abnormalities in your colon that can lead to cancer.

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. Maria Valdes 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 risks and making thoughtful choices about alcohol consumption, a patient significantly reduced their likelihood of developing alcoholic hepatic failure, ensuring a healthier future.
• By adopting a healthy diet and exercise routine, a patient significantly reduced their risk of developing gallstones, a common cause of bile duct obstruction, and gained greater peace of mind about their digestive health.
• By understanding the impact of alcohol consumption on their stomach health, a patient successfully reduced their alcohol intake and significantly lowered their risk of developing alcoholic gastritis, leading to a more confident and healthy lifestyle.

These scenarios are illustrative examples of positive health outcomes. Individual results may vary and depend on many factors specific to each patient. She 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. Maria Valdes:

What is a Gastroenterologist?

Dr. Valdes and our team are gastroenterologists, meaning we are specialists who focus on the health of your digestive system, including the esophagus, stomach, intestines, colon, liver, gallbladder, and pancreas. We diagnose and treat 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, those with a family history of colon cancer or other risk factors may need to start earlier. Dr. Valdes will determine the best, personalized screening schedule for you.

I have frequent heartburn. When should I be concerned?

Our practice provides comprehensive guidance on this topic. Please schedule a consultation to discuss your specific situation.

What is H. pylori?

Our practice provides comprehensive guidance on this topic. Please schedule a consultation to discuss your specific situation.

What is Celiac Disease?

Our practice provides comprehensive guidance on this topic. Please schedule a consultation to discuss your specific situation.

Can hemorrhoids be treated without surgery?

Our practice provides comprehensive guidance on this topic. Please schedule a consultation to discuss your specific situation.

Are there non-colonoscopy options for colon cancer screening?

Our practice provides comprehensive guidance on this topic. Please schedule a consultation to discuss your specific situation.

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

Our practice provides comprehensive guidance on this topic. Please schedule a consultation to discuss your specific situation.

6101 Pine Ridge Rd
Naples FL 34119
Phone: (239) 348-4221

Dr. Maria Valdes, 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): 1902890809

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. Maria Valdes 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.