Dr. Amanda Avila, MD is a Neurology specializing in compassionate, comprehensive neurological care for older adults at her clinic in Fort Myers, FL. She is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practices under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). Dr. Avila is dedicated to providing the best possible care, working collaboratively with your primary care physician and other healthcare providers to ensure a holistic approach to your health journey. She understands the unique needs of older adults (65 and above) and is committed to providing specialized expertise in diagnosing and managing complex neurological conditions like dementia, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, stroke, and neuropathy, common in this population.
Dr. Amanda Avila, MD is a neurologist in Fort Myers, FL, with over 10 years of experience in the medical field. She earned her medical degree from the University of Florida in 2012 and is Board Certified in Neurology by the American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology. Dr. Avila is affiliated with AdventHealth Winter Park and AdventHealth Apopka, and with her wealth of clinical knowledge and compassionate care, she provides a supportive and collaborative environment for patients and their families. She is currently welcoming new patients, and you can schedule an appointment by calling (239) 590-8477. Dr. Avila primarily provides consultations in English.
A cornerstone of effective senior care is a strong patient-doctor partnership. Dr. Amanda Avila is a vital partner in this journey, focusing on holistic strategies to protect health and enhance quality of life.
Dr. Avila is a compassionate partner in your senior's health journey, providing comprehensive neurological care with a focus on understanding the individual needs of each patient. She excels at diagnosing and managing complex conditions like dementia, Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's, working collaboratively with primary care physicians and other specialists to create a personalized plan that prioritizes comfort, independence, and quality of life.
By working together, you, your family, and Dr. Amanda Avila can create a clear, actionable plan that respects your individual needs and healthcare goals.
Specific Plans Accepted
Aetna
Also Accepts These Carriers
- APCN Open Access Aetna Select
- Ambetter
- AvMed
- Blue Card PPO
- Blue Cross Aware HMO
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota
- Blue PPO
- Capital District Physicians Health Plan (CDPHP)
- Choice Large Group POS
- Choice Plus POS
- Choice Plus POS II
- Cigna
- Cigna PPO
- Curative
- Curative EPO
- Curative PPO
- Curative PPO Plus
- Elect Choice (Open Access) EPO
- Empower - Small Employer Groups
- Empower POS
- First Health
- First Health (Coventry Health Care) PPO
- GA Employee Cigna + Oscar Open Access Plus EPO
- MagnaCare
- MagnaCare PPO
- Managed Choice (Open Access) POS
- Medica Choice
- Navigate HMO
- Navigate POS
- Nexus Open Access
- Open Access Plus
- Open Choice PPO
- Options PPO
- Oscar Health
- Premier Care Network Plus - Innovation Health
- SignatureValue - OR HMO
- Superior Health Plan
- Tufts Health Plan
- Tufts PPO
- UnitedHealthCare
- Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield
Effective management of health is key to well-being in later life. Dr. Amanda Avila provides expert, compassionate care for a range of conditions common in older adults, with a focus on managing symptoms and maintaining function. Common areas of focus include:
- Ataxia: Ataxia can affect your balance and coordination, making simple tasks challenging, but occupational therapy and adaptive strategies can help you to maintain your daily routines and stay active.
- Cerebral Artery Thrombosis: Cerebral artery thrombosis is a serious condition where a blood clot blocks blood flow to the brain, potentially causing a stroke and impacting brain function; prompt medical attention is crucial to minimize lasting effects and improve quality of life.
- Radiculopathy: Radiculopathy is a condition causing pain, numbness, or weakness in your arm or leg due to a pinched nerve in your spine, and it can often be managed with medication, physical therapy, and sometimes injections to relieve pressure and improve mobility.
- Stroke: A stroke occurs when blood supply to the brain is cut off, leading to potential long-term challenges, however rehabilitation therapies like physical and occupational therapy help people regain skills and improve their daily lives.
- Cerebral Edema: Cerebral edema is a swelling in the brain that can cause pressure buildup, sometimes requiring urgent medical attention to reduce the swelling and prevent serious complications.
- Migraine: Migraines are recurring headaches that may involve intense throbbing pain, visual disturbances, or other symptoms; working with your healthcare provider to find the right treatment plan can help you live more comfortably and independently.
- Seizure Disorders: Seizure disorders involve sudden, uncontrolled electrical activity in the brain that can cause convulsions, changes in awareness, or other unusual symptoms, but with proper medication and lifestyle adjustments, many seniors can live full and active lives.
- Cerebrovascular Disease: Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is key to preventing cerebrovascular disease, a group of conditions that affect blood vessels in your brain; if diagnosed, various treatments are available to help manage symptoms and improve overall health, allowing seniors to enjoy a higher quality of life.
- Epilepsy: Epilepsy is a condition characterized by recurrent seizures, but with modern medical care and support, you or your loved one can minimize disruptions to daily life and significantly improve quality of life.
- Dementia: While dementia causes problems with memory and thinking skills, it's important to know that many strategies exist to manage symptoms, improve communication, and help maintain independence and dignity.
- Chiari Malformation Type 1: Chiari malformation type 1 affects the brain's position, causing symptoms like dizziness or numbness. Depending on the severity, treatment might include surgery to create more space and reduce pressure for better well-being.
- Inflammatory and Toxic Neuropathy: Sometimes, inflammation or poisons can harm the nerves, resulting in inflammatory or toxic neuropathy; your doctor can create a plan to help control the pain and other symptoms, helping you live more comfortably.
This list highlights some common health concerns and is for informational purposes. An accurate diagnosis and a personalized care plan can only be developed through a direct consultation with a qualified medical professional based on your specific health history.
To provide comprehensive and person-centered care, Dr. Amanda Avila offers a range of services designed to diagnose, manage, and support the health of older adults:
- Functional Movement Screening: Functional Movement Screening helps healthcare providers track your progress and adjust your treatment plan for conditions affecting your movement, such as dementia or neuropathy.
- Sudoscan: Sudoscan is a non-invasive test that helps healthcare providers assess small fiber neuropathy in seniors, contributing to a more comprehensive diagnosis and treatment plan.
- EEG (Electroencephalogram): If you're experiencing changes in your thinking or awareness, an EEG can help your doctor pinpoint the source of the problem by evaluating the electrical activity in your brain.
- Evaluation and Treatment of Sleep Disorders: Addressing sleep problems is a crucial part of a comprehensive care plan for seniors, improving quality of life and potentially preventing further health decline.
- Home Sleep Study: To better manage conditions such as Parkinson's disease or dementia, a home sleep study helps assess sleep disturbances that can impact daytime functioning and overall well-being.
- Grip and-or Muscle Group Pull Test: The grip and muscle group pull test helps healthcare providers assess muscle strength and coordination, which is crucial for managing conditions like Parkinson's disease and stroke.
- Dementia Evaluation: This assessment process identifies the specific cognitive challenges a senior faces, leading to better management strategies and improved quality of life.
- Wada Test: As part of pre-surgical planning for seniors, the Wada test identifies the brain hemisphere dominant for speech and memory to minimize potential post-operative deficits.
- Deep Brain Stimulation Evaluation: If you're struggling with symptoms of Parkinson's disease or another movement disorder, a deep brain stimulation evaluation is a crucial step to see if this targeted therapy is a viable option for you.
- ImPACT Testing: ImPACT testing assists in the diagnosis and management of mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBI) in older adults, providing objective data to support treatment decisions.
- Memory Evaluation: Memory evaluations help assess the severity of memory problems and track their progression over time, guiding treatment decisions and helping families understand what to expect.
- Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response Test: As part of a comprehensive care plan, a BAER test can help identify the cause of hearing problems in older adults, which can be an early indicator of underlying neurological issues like multiple sclerosis or brain tumors.
Service availability can change. To understand which services are appropriate for your specific health needs, please schedule a consultation to develop a personalized care plan.
All medical services are provided in accordance with the standard scope of practice for Neurology in Florida.
Dr. Amanda Avila is dedicated to partnering with older adults and their families to achieve their unique health objectives. The following examples illustrate how compassionate care can make a tangible difference in a patient's life:
- With occupational therapy and adaptive strategies, a senior with ataxia regained the ability to confidently navigate their home, reducing falls and increasing their independence. The family felt a sense of relief and renewed hope for their loved one's future.
- Following a comprehensive treatment plan, the patient regained the ability to engage in familiar hobbies like knitting, bringing back a sense of purpose and joy. The family felt a profound sense of relief knowing their loved one was improving and regaining their independence.
These scenarios are illustrative examples of positive health outcomes. Individual results vary and depend on many factors specific to each person. She will work with you to define and achieve your personal health goals.
- Primary Location:
Practice
3801 E Highway 98 Ste 100100, Port St. Joe, FL, 32456
Phone: (850) 229-5752
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- HCA Florida St. Lucie Hospital Port St. Lucie (Residency Hospital)
- American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology (Neurology)
Here are answers to some common questions about Neurological care with Dr. Amanda Avila:
- What is a Neurologist, and when should a senior see one?
- Dr. Avila is a neurologist, a medical doctor specializing in the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. She is an expert in diagnosing and treating complex neurological issues in older adults, such as significant memory loss, Parkinson's disease, stroke, persistent dizziness, or nerve pain.
- My parent seems confused and is forgetting things. How can Dr. Amanda Avila help?
- Dr. Avila specializes in evaluating memory and cognitive changes to determine the cause. She can diagnose conditions like Alzheimer's or other dementias, rule out other medical issues, and create a comprehensive management plan to support both you and your loved one.
- What can I expect during a neurological exam?
- During a neurological exam with Dr. Avila, you can expect a series of simple, painless tests to check your strength, coordination, reflexes, balance, and memory. This helps Dr. Avila understand how well your nervous system is functioning.
- Can family members be involved in the appointments and care planning?
- Absolutely. For neurological care, especially with cognitive issues, caregiver involvement is vital. Dr. Avila welcomes family participation, with the patient's permission, to ensure everyone understands the diagnosis and treatment plan.
- What is a 'lumbar puncture' or 'spinal tap'?
- A lumbar puncture, or spinal tap, is a procedure where a small sample of cerebrospinal fluid is collected from your lower back. This fluid helps diagnose conditions like meningitis, multiple sclerosis, or certain neurological infections. It's a safe and important way to get information about your health.
- How are chronic migraines treated in seniors?
- Dr. Avila's approach to chronic migraines in seniors involves carefully identifying and avoiding triggers, using preventive medications to decrease attack frequency, and having safe rescue medications for when a migraine occurs. Importantly, we prioritize medications that don't interact with other prescriptions.
- What can be done for 'essential tremor'?
- Essential tremor, while sometimes frustrating, is a different condition than Parkinson's disease. We can often manage it effectively with medications like beta-blockers or therapies to reduce the tremor and improve your ability to perform daily tasks like writing or drinking.
- How do you manage Parkinson's disease in older adults?
- Dr. Avila's approach to Parkinson's in older adults is holistic, focusing on quality of life. Medications manage motor symptoms like tremors and stiffness, while physical and occupational therapy improve balance, mobility, and home safety. We work closely with patients and families to create a personalized plan.
9110 College Pointe Ct
Fort Myers FL 33919
Phone: (239) 590-8477
Dr. Amanda Avila, 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): 1184841397
Registration can typically be verified through The Florida Board of Medicine website or by direct inquiry.
The information on this profile, provided by infoaging.org, is for general informational purposes and to help you connect with healthcare partners for yourself or a loved one. It does not constitute direct medical advice from the physician named. Neurology like Dr. Amanda Avila are skilled in helping seniors and their families navigate their health journey. For urgent or life-threatening emergencies, please call 911 or visit the nearest emergency department. Always consult with a qualified medical professional for any health concerns or before making any decisions related to your care plan.