Dr. Robert Bass Jr, MD

Dr. Robert Bass Jr, MD is a Gastroenterology specialist dedicated to proactive, comprehensive care at his clinic in Jacksonville Beach, 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. Dr. Bass, a University of Florida assistant professor of medicine and board-certified gastroenterologist at UF Health Jacksonville, brings over 35 years of experience to his practice, having earned his medical degree from the Medical College of Georgia and completing fellowships at the University of Florida. He is also Board Certified in General Surgery by the American Board of Surgery, and Board Certified in Gastroenterology by the American Board of Internal Medicine, offering comprehensive medical care for all ages. He is currently welcoming new patients to begin their proactive health journey. Please call (904) 633-4000 to schedule an appointment. Dr. Robert Jr provides consultations primarily in English.

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

• Intestinal Fistula: Protecting your digestive health includes recognizing the signs of an intestinal fistula—an abnormal passage between your intestines—as early diagnosis is key to preventing severe complications.
• Esophageal Ulcer: Protecting your esophagus from ulcers starts with understanding and managing conditions like GERD, as untreated acid reflux is a major cause of esophageal ulcers.
• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): Protecting your digestive system starts with understanding GERD: early detection and management can help avoid long-term health issues.
• Noninfectious Gastroenteritis and Colitis: Managing noninfectious gastroenteritis and colitis through dietary adjustments and stress management can help prevent flare-ups and maintain the overall health of your digestive tract.
• Ulcerative Colitis: By understanding ulcerative colitis and its risk factors, you can take control of your gut health, allowing for early intervention and reduced severity of symptoms.
• 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.
• Lactose Intolerance: Prevent uncomfortable symptoms like bloating and gas by identifying and addressing your lactose intolerance, improving your digestive comfort.
• Gas-Bloat Syndrome: Managing gas and bloating effectively is key to maintaining overall digestive health and preventing the development of more severe gastrointestinal conditions.
• Diaphragmatic and Hiatal Hernia: Preventing complications from a diaphragmatic or hiatal hernia, a condition where your stomach pushes into your chest cavity, involves recognizing risk factors like obesity and making proactive lifestyle adjustments.
• Gastrointestinal Diseases: Protecting your digestive health through regular checkups and a healthy lifestyle can significantly reduce your risk of developing various gastrointestinal diseases.
• Visceroptosis: Maintaining good posture and practicing core strengthening exercises are crucial preventive measures to mitigate the risk of visceroptosis and support the health of your digestive system.
• Diarrhea: Addressing diarrhea promptly can help prevent the spread of infection to others, promoting overall community health and well-being.

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

• pH Probe: For comprehensive digestive health, a pH probe helps your doctor assess acid reflux, guiding treatment decisions and helping you avoid potential long-term problems.
• Excision of Esophageal Lesion: Protecting your esophagus involves identifying and removing any suspicious growths; an excision of an esophageal lesion is a crucial step in preventing more serious complications.
• Fecal Occult Blood Test for Colorectal Cancer: Protecting your digestive health starts with screenings! A fecal occult blood test is a non-invasive way to check for colorectal cancer and potentially save your life.
• 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.
• Excision of Stomach Tumor: To prevent the spread of stomach cancer and improve your chances of recovery, excision of a stomach tumor offers a crucial intervention.
• 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.
• Screening Colonoscopy: Invest in your well-being with a screening colonoscopy; it's a vital preventive measure to identify and address potential problems in your colon and rectum before they become life-threatening.
• Sigmoidoscopy: A sigmoidoscopy is a proactive step towards better colon health, providing an opportunity for the early identification and removal of polyps that could develop into cancer.
• 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.
• Liver Function Test: Protecting your liver is key to overall health. A liver function test is a proactive step to identify any abnormalities and helps prevent serious liver conditions.
• 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: Protecting your digestive health starts with early detection. A flexible sigmoidoscopy screens for polyps and other problems in your lower bowel, enabling prompt treatment.

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. Robert Jr 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 early warning signs of an intestinal fistula and implementing a proactive health plan, a patient significantly reduced their risk of potential complications, gaining peace of mind about their digestive health.
• By understanding and managing their GERD with a proactive plan, a patient significantly reduced their risk of developing esophageal ulcers, gaining peace of mind about their digestive health.
• By understanding GERD triggers and making dietary changes, a patient successfully reduced their symptoms and avoided long-term complications, gaining greater comfort and improved digestive health.

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. Robert Jr:

What is a Gastroenterologist?

A gastroenterologist is 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 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, individuals with a family history of colon cancer or other risk factors may need to start earlier. Dr. Robert Jr. will determine the best, personalized screening schedule for you.

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 are gallstones?

Gallstones are small, hard deposits that can form in the gallbladder. Many people have them without any problems. They only become a concern if they cause blockages, leading to pain. Dr. Robert Jr. can help diagnose this issue.

Can hemorrhoids be treated without surgery?

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

What is the difference between Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)?

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), which includes Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, is an autoimmune condition causing inflammation and damage to the gastrointestinal tract. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), on the other hand, is a functional disorder that causes symptoms like cramping and bloating, but does not involve visible inflammation or damage to the GI tract.

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 such as 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 schedule a consultation with Dr. Robert Jr. for a thorough evaluation.

570 Jacksonville Dr
Jacksonville Beach FL 32250
Phone: (904) 633-4000

Dr. Robert Bass Jr, 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): 1457328726

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. Robert Jr 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.