Erin Santiago, NP

Erin Santiago, NP is a Gastroenterology Nurse Practitioner practicing at her clinic in Rockledge, FL. As a partner in preventive health featured on weprevent.org, she's 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), she's committed to 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.

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. Dr. Erin NP is committed to collaborative, evidence-based medicine, fostering a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. She is currently welcoming new patients to begin their proactive health journey and encourages you to call (321) 637-2345 to schedule. Erin Santiago, NP is a gastroenterology specialist in Rockledge, FL. She is accepting new patients. Dr. Erin NP provides consultations primarily in English.

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

• Feculent Vomiting: Preventing feculent vomiting involves proactive management of digestive health, such as addressing constipation or bowel obstructions promptly to reduce the risk of this serious complication.
• Small Intestine Infarction: Small intestine infarction, a blockage of blood flow to the small intestine, highlights the importance of managing risk factors like blood clots and atherosclerosis to prevent this serious condition and its potentially life-threatening complications.
• Chronic Erosive Gastritis: Chronic erosive gastritis means your stomach's protective layer is consistently damaged; proactive steps like identifying and managing risk factors are crucial to slow its progression and avoid severe health issues.
• Congenital Anomaly Esophagus: Addressing a congenital anomaly in the esophagus promptly can help improve the child's quality of life, allowing for better nutrition and preventing secondary problems like lung infections or growth issues.
• Appendicitis: While appendicitis can't always be prevented, recognizing its symptoms early—like sudden abdominal pain—is crucial for timely treatment and avoiding severe consequences.
• Ileitis: Regular checkups and awareness of risk factors can help prevent the development or worsening of ileitis, a form of inflammation impacting your small intestine.
• Gallbladder Infections: Addressing gallbladder infections promptly through medical intervention minimizes the long-term damage to your liver and biliary system, preserving your digestive health.

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

• Ampullectomy: Taking a proactive step toward digestive health, an ampullectomy involves the surgical removal of tissue from the ampulla of Vater to allow for early diagnosis and treatment of abnormalities.
• 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.
• Esophagus Procedure: Taking a proactive step with an esophagus procedure allows for the early diagnosis and treatment of issues like acid reflux or esophageal tears, improving long-term digestive health.
• Pill Prep for Colonoscopy: By diligently following your colonoscopy pill prep instructions, you're actively participating in preventing colorectal cancer through the early detection of polyps and other abnormalities.
• Hepato-Pancreatic-Biliary Cancer Care: Take control of your liver, pancreas, and bile duct health with hepato-pancreatic-biliary cancer care, which involves screenings and tests that can detect these cancers early, when treatment is most effective.
• Sphincterotomy: A sphincterotomy is a procedure that can help relieve blockage or improve the flow of fluids in your digestive system, preventing future complications.
• Ultrasound-Guided Fine Needle Aspiration: To help prevent serious complications, an ultrasound-guided FNA can provide a quick and accurate way for your doctor to examine suspicious areas in your digestive system for abnormal cells or masses.

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. Erin NP 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 proactively addressing digestive issues, a patient significantly reduced their risk of feculent vomiting, gaining peace of mind and improved overall well-being.
• By understanding and proactively managing blood clot risk factors, a patient felt empowered to significantly reduce the possibility of small intestine infarction, ensuring a healthier future.
• By identifying and addressing potential triggers, a patient significantly reduced the risk factors associated with chronic erosive gastritis, achieving lasting relief and 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. Erin NP:

What is a Gastroenterologist?

A gastroenterologist is a specialist physician who is highly trained in the health of your entire digestive system, including the esophagus, stomach, intestines, colon, liver, gallbladder, and pancreas. They are experts in diagnosing and treating digestive conditions and 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. Erin NP 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. The patient simply swallows a small pill-sized camera that takes thousands of pictures as it travels through the digestive tract.

What are gallstones?

Gallstones are small, hard deposits that can form in the gallbladder. Many people have them without any problems. They only become a concern if they cause blockages, leading to pain. Dr. Erin NP can help diagnose this issue.

Are there non-colonoscopy options for colon cancer screening?

Yes, there are other options, such as at-home stool-based tests. However, if these tests are positive, a colonoscopy is still necessary to fully evaluate the findings and remove any polyps. Colonoscopy remains the gold standard for both detecting and preventing colon cancer.

Is the preparation for a colonoscopy difficult?

Many patients worry about colonoscopy prep, but modern solutions are much easier to tolerate than before. A clean colon is crucial for a thorough exam, ensuring polyps are detected and removed. This one-day prep is a small price to pay for years of 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) should be evaluated. This could be a sign of GERD, which, if left untreated, can lead to more serious problems. Dr. Erin NP can diagnose the cause and create an effective treatment plan.

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.

1133 Seminole Dr
Rockledge FL 32955
Phone: (321) 637-2345

Erin Santiago, NP 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): 1073814786

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. Erin NP 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.