Dr. Vanessa Mendez, MD

Dr. Vanessa Mendez, MD is a Gastroenterology specialist at Digestive Medicine Associates, LLP in Pembroke Pines, FL, 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, she is committed to a preventative approach to digestive health. 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. Please call (305) 822-4107 to schedule.

Dr. Mendez's approach to patients and their diseases is holistic and comprehensive; her goal is not just to treat the symptoms, but to get to the root cause of an ailment and provide lasting relief. She provides an evidence-based approach to her practice and focuses on lifestyle changes first to promote wellness. With over 10 years of dedicated experience in Gastrointestinal care, she brings a wealth of clinical knowledge and compassionate care to her patients and their families. A double board-certified gastroenterologist and internist, Dr. Mendez specializes in digestive disorders, including liver disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and nutrition-based disorders such as obesity and constipation. She earned her medical degree from Universidad Central Del Caribe School Of Medicine in 2012, followed by a residency in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology at University of Miami/ Jackson Memorial Hospital and Tulane Medical Center, respectively. She further specialized through fellowship training at Tulane University Medical Center and is Board Certified in Gastroenterology and Internal Medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine. Dr. Mendez also holds certifications in Epidemiology and Plant-Based Nutrition, and has experience in inflammatory bowel diseases through a visiting fellowship at the Mayo Clinic. She offers consultations in Spanish.

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

• Rectal Ulcer: Managing risk factors such as constipation, inflammation, or radiation exposure can help prevent the formation of rectal ulcers and maintain the health of your lower digestive tract.
• Abdominal Pain: Understanding the causes of your abdominal pain is key to preventing more severe problems, often through lifestyle changes or early treatment.
• Alcoholic Hepatitis: Regular blood tests and lifestyle modifications can help detect and manage alcoholic hepatitis early, minimizing the risk of long-term liver complications.
• Gas-Bloat Syndrome: Experiencing frequent gas and bloating? Don't ignore it – seeking professional advice can help pinpoint the cause and prevent long-term digestive issues.
• Colorectal Polyp: Colorectal polyps, even the small ones, highlight the importance of proactive digestive health. Regular check-ups can help find and remove these growths before they turn cancerous.
• Esophageal Diseases: Taking steps to prevent esophageal diseases, such as maintaining a healthy weight and avoiding excessive alcohol, contributes to a healthier digestive system overall.
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease: While IBD can't always be prevented, early diagnosis and management are crucial for minimizing long-term effects on your gut and overall well-being.
• Hemochromatosis: Preventing serious health problems associated with hemochromatosis, like liver damage and diabetes, starts with regular checkups and blood tests, especially if you have a family history of the condition.
• 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.
• Ulcerative Colitis: Protecting your digestive health means being aware of ulcerative colitis, a condition causing inflammation in the colon, and taking steps to reduce your risk through regular screenings and healthy habits.
• Constipation: Regular bowel movements are vital for digestive well-being; preventing constipation proactively safeguards your overall health.
• Liver Diseases and Disorders: Regular screenings and proactive lifestyle changes can help you catch and manage liver diseases early, preventing 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. Vanessa Mendez 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 valuable tool for preventing long-term digestive problems. By accurately measuring pressure in your digestive system, it allows for early diagnosis of conditions like achalasia or gastroparesis, enabling timely treatment and improved quality of life.
• Colonoscopy: Taking charge of your gut health starts with a colonoscopy: it's a vital screening test that detects abnormalities in your large intestine early, often before symptoms appear.
• Colon Cancer Screening: Invest in your long-term health with a colon cancer screening; it's a simple test that can significantly reduce your risk of colon cancer.
• Screening Colonoscopy: Take charge of your colorectal health with a screening colonoscopy: this procedure helps find and remove polyps before they become cancerous, significantly reducing your risk of colon cancer.
• 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.
• Flexible Sigmoidoscopy: Take a proactive step towards better gut health with a flexible sigmoidoscopy—a screening test that detects early signs of colon cancer and other digestive issues.
• Esophagogastroscopy: Protecting your upper digestive tract is key. Esophagogastroscopy is a screening tool that allows for early detection of ulcers, inflammation, or even cancerous changes in your esophagus and stomach.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Sigmoidoscopy: For peace of mind and to ensure the health of your lower digestive system, a sigmoidoscopy offers an effective screening tool to identify and address issues before they become serious.
• 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. Vanessa Mendez 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 and managing potential risk factors like constipation, a patient significantly reduced their likelihood of developing rectal ulcers, ensuring a healthier digestive system. This proactive approach provided the patient with lasting peace of mind.
• By understanding the triggers for their abdominal pain and making dietary adjustments, a patient significantly reduced their discomfort and avoided future complications.
• By consistently following a personalized plan of blood tests and lifestyle changes, a patient significantly reduced their risk of developing alcoholic hepatitis, gaining peace of mind and control over their health.

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. Vanessa Mendez:

What is a Gastroenterologist?

Dr. Vanessa Mendez 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 conditions, and also 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. Mendez 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 gallstones without any problems. They only become a concern if they cause blockages, leading to pain. Dr. Vanessa Mendez can help diagnose this issue.

What is Celiac Disease?

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder where consuming gluten, a protein found in wheat, triggers damage to the lining of the small intestine. It's different from a simple gluten sensitivity, and a proper diagnosis from a gastroenterologist like Dr. Mendez is crucial before starting a gluten-free diet.

Are there non-colonoscopy options for colon cancer screening?

Yes, there are non-colonoscopy options like at-home stool-based tests. However, a positive result on these tests still requires a colonoscopy for further evaluation and potential removal of polyps. Colonoscopy remains the gold standard for both detecting and preventing colon cancer.

What are some common signs of liver problems I should watch for?

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. Vanessa Mendez for a thorough evaluation.

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

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), including Crohn's 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 without visible inflammation or damage.

Digestive Medicine Associates, LLP
18044 NW 6th St Ste 102
Pembroke Pines FL 33029
Phone: (305) 822-4107

Dr. Vanessa Mendez, 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): 1497021331

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. Vanessa Mendez 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.