Dr. Soundarapandian Baskar, MD

Dr. Soundarapandian Baskar, MD is a Gastroenterology specialist dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive Gastrointestinal care. He practices at his clinic in Tavares, FL, and is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine, practicing 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. He serves all ages and is currently welcoming new patients to begin their proactive health journey. Call (352) 383-5200 to schedule.

Dr. Soundarapandian Baskar, MD is a gastroenterologist in Tavares, FL with over 35 years of experience in the medical field. He brings a wealth of clinical knowledge and compassionate care to his patients and their families. Dr. Baskar has extensive experience in Esophageal Disorders, Pancreatic Disease, and Gastrointestinal Disorders. He earned his medical degree from Dr M.G.R. Medical University / Christian Medical College in 1987 and is Board Certified in Gastroenterology by the American Board of Internal Medicine, and Board Certified in Internal Medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine. He is affiliated with AdventHealth Waterman and UF Health Leesburg Hospital. Dr. Baskar 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. He offers consultations in Malayalam.

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

• Diaphragmatic and Hiatal Hernia: Managing your weight and avoiding activities that increase abdominal pressure are key preventative measures against developing or worsening a diaphragmatic or hiatal hernia, safeguarding your digestive health.
• Colon Cancer: Managing your risk factors for colon cancer, such as diet and lifestyle choices, combined with preventative screenings, reduces your chances of developing this disease.
• Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: Preventing severe liver damage is possible with early detection and management of NAFLD; lifestyle adjustments can help reverse or slow the progression of this condition, improving overall digestive health.
• 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.
• Viral Enteritis: Early detection of viral enteritis symptoms like diarrhea and vomiting allows for prompt rehydration, preventing severe illness, especially in vulnerable populations.
• Hepatorenal Syndrome: Hepatorenal syndrome is a serious complication of liver disease, and preventing liver damage through healthy lifestyle choices and regular checkups can significantly reduce your risk.
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Regular check-ups with your gastroenterologist, especially if you experience persistent digestive discomfort, allow for early diagnosis of IBS and the development of a personalized preventative management plan.
• Gastric Ulcer: Early treatment of a gastric ulcer prevents complications like bleeding, perforation, and the need for more extensive medical intervention.
• Dysentery: Managing dysentery effectively involves practicing good hygiene and seeking medical care immediately, minimizing its impact on your overall digestive health.
• Esophageal Motility Disorders: Regular screenings and attention to any digestive discomfort can enable early identification of esophageal motility disorders, allowing for prompt treatment and preventing severe complications.
• Ascites: Addressing the root cause of ascites, such as liver damage or heart failure, is key to preventing further complications and improving your overall digestive health.
• Intestinal Ulcer: Protecting your gut health involves understanding intestinal ulcers: early detection through regular check-ups can significantly reduce the risk of severe complications and improve treatment outcomes.

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

• Manometry: Manometry is a simple test that measures the pressure in your esophagus, stomach, and intestines to help identify problems with swallowing, digestion, or bowel movements, allowing for early intervention and prevention of complications.
• 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.
• 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.
• Anal Cauterization: To address bleeding and discomfort from hemorrhoids, anal cauterization offers a proactive treatment to improve your anal health.
• 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.
• ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography): As a proactive step in managing your digestive health, ERCP allows doctors to directly visualize and address blockages or abnormalities in your bile and pancreatic ducts, potentially preventing long-term damage.
• 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.
• pH Probe: A pH probe helps your doctor measure the acid levels in your esophagus to detect and prevent conditions like GERD and Barrett's esophagus.
• Screening Colonoscopy: Protecting your future health starts with a screening colonoscopy, a simple yet powerful tool for early detection of colon cancer and other digestive issues.
• Fecal Impaction Removal: Taking proactive steps to remove fecal impaction helps maintain a healthy digestive system and avoids potential long-term health problems.
• Endoscopy: Take control of your digestive health with an endoscopy – a minimally invasive procedure that screens for and helps prevent serious conditions affecting your esophagus, stomach, and intestines.
• Rigid Proctosigmoidoscopy: A rigid proctosigmoidoscopy is a brief procedure that allows your doctor to directly examine your rectum and lower colon for polyps, inflammation, or other abnormalities, helping to detect colorectal cancer early.

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. Soundarapandian Baskar 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 focusing on weight management and avoiding activities that strain the abdomen, a patient proactively reduced their risk of developing a diaphragmatic or hiatal hernia, ensuring a healthier digestive system. This proactive approach provided the patient with lasting peace of mind.
• By focusing on a healthy diet and lifestyle, and adhering to preventative screenings, a patient significantly reduced their risk of colon cancer, gaining peace of mind about their long-term health.
• By making dietary changes and incorporating regular exercise into their routine, a patient significantly reduced their risk of developing Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, achieving improved liver health and overall well-being.

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. Soundarapandian Baskar:

What is a Gastroenterologist?

A gastroenterologist is a specialist doctor who is expertly trained 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 also 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. Soundarapandian Baskar will determine the best, personalized screening schedule for you.

Is the preparation for a colonoscopy difficult?

We understand that colonoscopy preparation can be concerning, but modern prep solutions are significantly easier to tolerate than in the past. A clean colon is crucial for a thorough examination, allowing for the detection and removal of polyps. This one day of preparation is a small price to pay for years of peace of mind.

What is the role of diet in managing IBS?

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

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. We are committed to a long-term approach, fostering a strong patient-physician relationship.

Can hemorrhoids be treated without surgery?

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

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 your digestive tract.

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 NAFLD is important to prevent progression to more serious liver damage like cirrhosis.

1858 Mayo Dr
Tavares FL 32778
Phone: (352) 383-5200

Dr. Soundarapandian Baskar, 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): 1952390288

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. Soundarapandian Baskar 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.