Dr. Sonaly Patel, MD

Dr. Sonaly Patel, MD is a Gastroenterology specialist practicing at our Lakeland, FL clinic, 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), Dr. Patel is a vital partner in preventive health, committed to personalized plans for prevention and crucial screenings. 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 (863) 687-8335 to schedule.

Dr. Patel's expertise extends to motility disorders and esophageal and anorectal manometry, a test that assesses the function of specific body areas. She is board-certified in Gastroenterology and Internal Medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine, and earned her medical degree from Ross University School of Medicine. Her commitment to patient care is deeply rooted in treating each individual with the same compassionate consideration she would extend to her own family. Dr. Patel is committed to delivering the best possible care, always prioritizing her patients' needs. She offers consultations in Hindi, further enhancing her accessibility and dedication to patient care. Her practice encompasses patients aged 18 and older at our Pablo Campus and Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center.

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

• Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Protecting your digestive health means being aware of IBD, a condition causing inflammation in your intestines; proactive lifestyle choices and medical attention can significantly reduce its impact.
• Esophageal Diverticulum: An esophageal diverticulum is a pouch that can form in your esophagus, and while often harmless, early detection through regular checkups helps prevent complications like infection or difficulty swallowing.
• Duodenal Ulcer: By addressing risk factors like excessive alcohol use and smoking, you can significantly reduce your chances of developing a duodenal ulcer and safeguard the health of your entire digestive system.
• Gastrojejunal Ulcer: Managing underlying conditions like ulcers is vital for preventing more serious digestive problems, such as gastrojejunal ulcers, which can cause significant health challenges if ignored.
• Nausea: Persistent nausea can be a sign of an underlying digestive issue, so addressing it early through preventative check-ups helps avoid more serious complications.
• Sclerosing Mesenteritis: While not always preventable, promptly addressing symptoms related to sclerosing mesenteritis, like abdominal pain, can significantly limit further complications and improve your digestive health.
• Gastroptosis: Preventive measures like regular exercise and a balanced diet may help strengthen abdominal muscles, potentially reducing the likelihood or severity of gastroptosis and associated symptoms.
• Intestinal Diverticulitis: Early detection of intestinal diverticulitis symptoms, like abdominal pain and fever, is crucial for preventing serious complications and getting prompt treatment that can prevent future flare-ups.
• Gallstones: Understanding your family history and risk factors for gallstones allows for proactive lifestyle modifications and regular monitoring, significantly decreasing your chances of developing this condition.
• Gastrointestinal Bleeding: Gastrointestinal bleeding, even if minor, needs prompt attention as early detection can prevent serious complications like anemia and shock.
• Alcoholic Fatty Liver: Don't let alcohol harm your liver; alcoholic fatty liver disease is often preventable by making healthy lifestyle choices, and early intervention can prevent long-term complications such as cirrhosis.
• Abdominal Pain: Managing abdominal pain effectively prevents it from becoming a chronic problem that impacts your overall 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. Sonaly Patel offers a range of key preventive screenings and services designed to provide crucial insights into your health and support your well-being:

• Duodenal Polypectomy: Protecting your digestive system's health, duodenal polypectomy is a procedure that removes polyps from your duodenum, enabling early detection of abnormalities and helping prevent future problems.
• 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.
• pH Probe: To prevent serious complications, a pH probe accurately measures stomach acid reflux, aiding in the early diagnosis and treatment of esophageal disorders.
• 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.
• Liver Function Test: Early detection is vital for liver health. A liver function test provides valuable insights into your liver's function, facilitating early diagnosis and treatment of potential issues.
• Screening Colonoscopy: A screening colonoscopy is a proactive health checkup that allows for the early detection of colorectal cancer and other digestive tract abnormalities, facilitating prompt treatment and improving your overall health.
• 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.
• 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.
• Biliary Drainage: Protecting your liver and preventing complications from bile duct issues begins with understanding and monitoring your biliary drainage.
• 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.
• 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.
• Colorectal Cancer Screening: Take charge of your digestive health: colorectal cancer screening proactively identifies potential issues before they become serious problems.

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. Sonaly Patel 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 inflammatory bowel disease risk factors and following a personalized plan, a patient felt empowered to proactively manage their digestive health and reduce potential future complications.
• By scheduling regular checkups and following a personalized plan, a patient proactively managed potential esophageal diverticulum issues, ensuring a healthy and comfortable future. This proactive approach reduced the risk of complications and provided peace of mind.
• By addressing lifestyle choices like reducing alcohol consumption and quitting smoking, a patient significantly lowered their risk of developing a duodenal ulcer, achieving a healthier digestive system and greater peace of mind.

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. Sonaly Patel:

What is a Gastroenterologist?

Dr. Sonaly Patel and her team are gastroenterologists, meaning they are specialists in the health of your digestive system, including the esophagus, stomach, intestines, colon, liver, gallbladder, and pancreas. They are experts in diagnosing and treating conditions and 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, those with a family history of colon cancer or other risk factors may need to start earlier. Dr. Patel will determine the best, personalized screening schedule for you.

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 contact Dr. Sonaly Patel's office for a consultation and thorough evaluation.

What is a capsule endoscopy?

A capsule endoscopy is a modern, non-invasive way to examine the small intestine, an area difficult to reach with traditional scopes. Patients simply swallow a small, pill-sized camera that takes thousands of pictures as it travels through their digestive tract.

Is the preparation for a colonoscopy difficult?

We understand that colonoscopy prep can be a concern, but modern solutions are much more comfortable than in the past. A clean colon is crucial for a thorough exam, and the one-day preparation is a small price to pay for long-term peace of mind.

I have frequent heartburn. When should I be concerned?

While occasional heartburn is common, frequent or worsening symptoms (more than twice a week) could indicate GERD, which if left untreated, can lead to more serious problems. Dr. Sonaly Patel can diagnose the cause and create an effective treatment plan.

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, managing NAFLD is important to prevent progression to more serious liver damage, such as cirrhosis.

Can hemorrhoids be treated without surgery?

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

130 Pablo St
Lakeland FL 33803
Phone: (863) 687-8335

Dr. Sonaly Patel, 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): 1184903783

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. Sonaly Patel 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.