Dr. Stephen Lange, MD

Dr. Stephen Lange, MD is a Gastroenterology specialist dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive Gastrointestinal care at his clinic in Jacksonville, 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. He serves all ages and is committed to collaborating with patients to build a strong foundation for digestive well-being. Please call (904) 953-2000 to confirm if Dr. Lange is currently accepting new patients.

Dr. Stephen Lange, MD is a gastroenterologist in Jacksonville, FL with over 40 years of experience in the medical field. He earned his medical degree from Georgetown University, Medical Center in 1982 and is affiliated with Mayo Clinic In Florida. With over 40 years of dedicated experience in Gastrointestinal care, he brings a wealth of clinical knowledge and compassionate care to his patients and their families. Dr. Lange 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. His approach to care is firmly rooted in collaborative, evidence-based medicine, creating a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. Dr. Lange provides consultations primarily in English.

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

• Esophagitis: Managing chronic conditions like GERD that may lead to esophagitis is key to preventing long-term damage and maintaining the overall health of your digestive system.
• Hepatorenal Syndrome: Early detection of liver disease is crucial in preventing hepatorenal syndrome, a life-threatening condition affecting both the liver and kidneys.
• Pyloric Stenosis: Preventive healthcare strategies for infants include awareness of pyloric stenosis symptoms; early detection leads to timely treatment and a better outcome.
• Gastrointestinal Diseases: Managing gastrointestinal diseases effectively means focusing on prevention through diet, lifestyle changes, and regular screenings to avoid long-term health issues.
• Chronic Gastritis: Chronic gastritis is long-term inflammation of your stomach lining, and catching it early through regular checkups can help prevent serious complications like ulcers or stomach cancer.
• Gallstones: Regular check-ups and screenings can help detect gallstones early, enabling timely intervention and preventing the need for more invasive procedures down the line.
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Managing IBD effectively through medication and lifestyle changes helps prevent debilitating symptoms and potential complications like colon cancer, underscoring the importance of proactive care.
• Diarrhea: Regular bowel movements are generally healthy, but frequent or watery stools (diarrhea) may signal a problem; early detection through medical evaluation prevents long-term digestive damage.
• Peptic Ulcer: Protecting your digestive system includes being aware of peptic ulcers, which can be prevented through lifestyle changes and medication if needed, reducing the risk of severe health problems.
• Hemorrhoids: Early detection of hemorrhoids is crucial to managing symptoms and preventing complications like bleeding, pain, and the need for more complex treatments.
• Celiac Disease: Prevent serious complications from celiac disease by getting screened if you have symptoms like diarrhea or unexplained weight loss; early detection and management are key to maintaining a healthy digestive system.
• Stomach Diseases: Protecting your stomach health through preventive measures like a balanced diet and stress management can significantly reduce your risk of developing stomach diseases and their serious complications.

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

• 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.
• Percutaneous Edoscopic Gastrostomy (PEG): A PEG tube placement is a proactive step in managing your health, providing a safe and effective way to receive nutrition when oral intake is challenging.
• Colorectal Cancer Screening: Protecting your future, colorectal cancer screening uses tests to find and remove precancerous growths in your lower digestive tract, significantly reducing your risk of colorectal cancer.
• Biliary Drainage: Supporting healthy biliary drainage helps your liver function properly and prevents issues like gallstones and jaundice.
• Liver Biopsy: As part of your comprehensive healthcare plan, a liver biopsy is a diagnostic tool used to evaluate the condition of your liver and identify issues such as fatty liver disease or liver cancer.
• 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.
• 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.
• Colonoscopy With Polypectomy: As a preventive measure, a colonoscopy with polypectomy helps detect and remove polyps, which can potentially become cancerous, ensuring the ongoing health of your digestive system.
• 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.
• Bile Duct Procedure: A bile duct procedure can help detect and address problems like blockages or infections early, improving your liver and pancreas health.
• Rigid Proctosigmoidoscopy: To safeguard your digestive health, a rigid proctosigmoidoscopy is a procedure used to visually inspect your rectum and lower colon, detecting problems early and helping to prevent more invasive treatments later.
• 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.

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. Stephen Lange 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 following a tailored plan for managing GERD, a patient significantly reduced their risk of developing esophagitis, allowing them to enjoy a healthier, more comfortable digestive system.
• By diligently following the proactive health plan recommended by their gastroenterologist, a patient significantly reduced their risk of developing hepatorenal syndrome, gaining peace of mind and a healthier future.
• A family was relieved to learn about preventive healthcare strategies for infants, which included recognizing pyloric stenosis symptoms. Early detection allowed for timely treatment, resulting in a positive outcome for their child.

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. Stephen Lange:

What is a Gastroenterologist?

Dr. Lange and our team are gastroenterologists, meaning we are specialists in the health of your digestive system, including the esophagus, stomach, intestines, colon, liver, gallbladder, and pancreas. We are experts in diagnosing and treating digestive 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. Lange will determine the best, personalized screening schedule for you.

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. This allows us to visualize the small intestine's lining for potential abnormalities.

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 that causes symptoms like cramping and bloating, but without visible inflammation or damage.

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 like heartburn or difficulty swallowing.

What are colon polyps, and are they dangerous?

Colon polyps are small, non-cancerous growths in the colon. However, some types can potentially develop into cancer over time. Colonoscopies are crucial for finding and removing these polyps before they have a chance to become cancerous, preventing the disease.

What is the role of diet in managing IBS?

Diet plays a crucial role in managing IBS. Dr. Lange 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.

Can hemorrhoids be treated without surgery?

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

4500 San Pablo Rd S
Jacksonville FL 32224
Phone: (904) 953-2000

Dr. Stephen Lange, 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): 1528057494

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. Stephen Lange 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.