Dr. Rosabella Shek, MD

Dr. Rosabella Shek, MD is a Gastroenterology specialist practicing at her clinic in Bradenton, FL. As a partner in preventive health featured on weprevent.org, she is dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive Gastrointestinal care. Registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practicing under Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice), she is committed to fostering a collaborative relationship with each patient, 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 (941) 792-6611 to schedule.

Dr. Rosabella Shek, MD is a gastroenterologist in Bradenton, FL with over 35 years of experience in the medical field. With a wealth of clinical knowledge and compassionate care, she brings a deep understanding of Gastrointestinal health to her patients and their families. She earned her medical degree from Albany Medical College in 1985 and completed an internship at Columbia U-St Lukes Hospital in 1986. Subsequently, she undertook residency training in Gastroenterology at Columbia University St Lukes Hospital (1988), specializing in the comprehensive medical care of All ages. Further specializing, she pursued fellowship training in Downstate Medical Center (1990) and State University Of New York (1990), deepening her expertise in a specific area of patient health. She is Board Certified in Internal Medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine. Dr. Shek is committed to collaborative, evidence-based medicine, creating a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. She offers consultations in Chinese.

A key part of the WePrevent mission is building your personalized prevention roadmap. Dr. Rosabella Shek 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. Rosabella Shek 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. Rosabella Shek 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 Diverticulosis: Early detection and management of intestinal diverticulosis are key to preventing painful complications. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including sufficient fiber intake, can significantly reduce your risk.
• Abdominal Pain: Understanding the causes of your abdominal pain is key to preventing more severe problems, often through lifestyle changes or early treatment.
• Hepatitis B - Immune Response: Understanding your body's immune response to Hepatitis B is crucial for preventing long-term liver damage and promoting overall digestive health.
• Constipation: Regular bowel movements are vital for digestive well-being; preventing constipation proactively safeguards your overall health.
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Although IBS doesn't have a known cure, actively managing your symptoms through stress reduction and dietary modifications can improve your quality of life and prevent significant disruptions.
• Dysphagia: Managing dysphagia effectively, often through lifestyle changes and medical intervention, helps avoid malnutrition and aspiration pneumonia, preserving your overall digestive health.
• Diaphragmatic and Hiatal Hernia: Regular check-ups are crucial for early identification of diaphragmatic and hiatal hernias, as timely management can prevent serious digestive problems down the road.
• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): GERD, or acid reflux, can be managed through lifestyle changes and medication to prevent serious complications like esophageal damage and cancer.
• Noninfectious Gastroenteritis and Colitis: Regular screenings and proactive lifestyle changes can be essential in mitigating the risk and managing the impact of noninfectious gastroenteritis and colitis, ensuring a healthier digestive system.
• Malnutrition: Malnutrition weakens your digestive system, making you more vulnerable to illness, so prioritizing good nutrition is key to preventing problems.
• Esophageal Motility Disorders: By understanding your risk factors and seeking medical advice if you experience symptoms, you can manage esophageal motility disorders and prevent their progression into more challenging health issues.
• Diarrhea: Persistent diarrhea can be a sign of underlying digestive issues, so seeking medical attention early helps prevent serious complications and ensures timely treatment.

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

• 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.
• Wireless pH Testing: Wireless pH testing offers a non-invasive way to assess your stomach acid levels, contributing to the early detection and effective management of acid reflux and related 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Colon Cancer Screening: Protecting your future starts with a colon cancer screening, which identifies abnormalities in your colon that can lead to cancer.
• 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.
• pH Probe: Taking a proactive step towards digestive health, a pH probe test helps identify the cause of your heartburn and other reflux symptoms, allowing for early intervention.
• Colonoscopy With Polypectomy: This procedure involves a thorough examination of your colon to identify and remove any abnormal growths (polyps), significantly lowering your chances of colorectal cancer.
• Colorectal Cancer Screening: Invest in your long-term well-being: a colorectal cancer screening is a simple yet powerful step in preventing and catching this disease early.
• Capsule Endoscopy: For a thorough assessment of your small intestine's health, choose capsule endoscopy—a less invasive alternative to traditional endoscopy that helps detect conditions like Crohn's disease or celiac disease at an early stage.

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. Rosabella Shek 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 risk factors and incorporating dietary changes, a patient proactively managed their intestinal health, significantly reducing the chance of developing painful complications. This proactive approach provided them with peace of mind and confidence in their well-being.
• By understanding the triggers of their abdominal pain and making dietary adjustments, a patient significantly reduced their discomfort and avoided more serious complications, gaining greater control over their well-being.
• By understanding their body's immune response to Hepatitis B, a patient proactively managed their risk of liver damage, gaining peace of mind and confidence in their digestive health journey.

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. Rosabella Shek:

What is a Gastroenterologist?

Dr. Shek and our team are gastroenterologists, meaning we are specialists in the health of your digestive system, including your esophagus, stomach, intestines, colon, liver, gallbladder, and pancreas. We diagnose and treat a wide range of 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. Rosabella Shek 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 of chronic conditions like Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. This involves using advanced therapies to control inflammation, providing nutritional guidance, and performing regular monitoring to prevent flare-ups and improve quality of life.

What is a capsule endoscopy?

Capsule endoscopy is a modern, non-invasive way to examine the small intestine, an area difficult to reach with traditional scopes. A small, pill-sized camera is swallowed, taking thousands of pictures as it travels through the digestive tract. The images are then reviewed to diagnose any issues.

What is the role of diet in managing IBS?

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

I have frequent heartburn. When should I be concerned?

While occasional heartburn is common, frequent or worsening symptoms (more than twice a week) might indicate a more serious issue, such as GERD. Dr. Rosabella Shek can diagnose the cause and create an effective treatment plan.

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

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), including 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 causing symptoms like cramping and bloating, but without the visible inflammation or damage seen in IBD.

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, it can often be reversed with lifestyle changes. However, it's important to manage NAFLD to prevent progression to more serious liver damage like cirrhosis.

2020 59th St W
Bradenton FL 34209
Phone: (941) 792-6611

Dr. Rosabella Shek, 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): 1922055961

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. Rosabella Shek 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.