Dr. Prabhakar Rumalla, MD is a Gastroenterology specialist dedicated to providing compassionate, comprehensive care for older adults (65 and over) at his clinic in Ocala, FL. He is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practices under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). As a partner in senior health, Dr. Rumalla understands the unique needs and complexities of this population. He is a board certified gastroenterology physician with 50 years of experience, having founded Gastroenterology Associates in Ocala in 1978. A gastroenterologist provides specialized expertise in managing complex digestive conditions common in seniors, such as colon cancer, GERD, swallowing disorders, and liver issues, working collaboratively with your primary care physician and other healthcare providers to ensure the best possible care. Dr. Rumalla is affiliated with HCA Florida Ocala Hospital and Florida Hospital Ocala. His approach to care is deeply rooted in collaborative, evidence-based medicine, creating a supportive environment where patients and their families feel heard and empowered in their healthcare decisions. He is currently welcoming new patients. Please call (772) 217-4498 to schedule an appointment. Dr. Rumalla, who is 73 years old, earned his medical degree from Kakatiya Medical College, followed by residency and fellowship training in Gastroenterology at Cumberland Hospital. He is Board Certified in Gastroenterology and Internal Medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine. Dr. Rumalla offers consultations in Persian.
A cornerstone of effective senior care is a strong patient-doctor partnership. Dr. Prabhakar Rumalla is a vital partner in this journey, focusing on holistic strategies to protect health and enhance quality of life.
Dr. Rumalla is a compassionate gastroenterologist dedicated to providing comprehensive and person-centered care for seniors. He expertly manages complex digestive conditions, including colon cancer, GERD, and swallowing disorders, working collaboratively with primary care physicians and other specialists to create a personalized treatment plan that prioritizes patient comfort and well-being. His approach emphasizes understanding each senior's unique needs and goals, ensuring a supportive and effective healthcare journey.
By working together, you, your family, and Dr. Prabhakar Rumalla can create a clear, actionable plan that respects your individual needs and healthcare goals.
Specific Plans Accepted
Aetna
AvMed
Beech Street (Multiplan)
Blue Cross Blue Shield
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida
Cigna
Coventry Health Care
Curative
Evolutions Healthcare Systems
Humana
Medicaid
PHCS
Simply Healthcare
Also Accepts These Carriers
- Anthem
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield
- Buckeye Community Health Plan
- Care Plus
- CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Curative EPO
- Curative PPO
- Curative PPO Plus
- First Health
- First Health (Coventry Health Care)
- Freedom
- Great West Healthcare-Cigna
- Health Net
- HealthyBlue 2.0
- Humana Commercial PPO
- Medicaid HMO
- Medicare
- Midwest Health Plan
- MultiPlan
- MultiPlan PPO
- National (BlueCard) PPO
- Oxford Health Plans
- SouthCare
- Tricare
- United Healthcare
- UnitedHealthCare
- Virginia Health Network
Effective management of health is key to well-being in later life. Dr. Prabhakar Rumalla 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:
- Proctoptosis: If you're experiencing a bulge or protrusion from your rectum, it may be proctoptosis. This condition affects bowel movements and can cause discomfort, but treatments, including surgery or non-surgical options, are available to help you manage it effectively.
- Sclerosing Mesenteritis: This uncommon condition, sclerosing mesenteritis, involves thickening of the fatty tissue in your abdomen. While it can cause symptoms, many people manage it successfully with appropriate medical guidance to maintain their quality of life.
- Pancreatic Pseudocyst: If you've experienced pancreatitis or similar issues, a pancreatic pseudocysta fluid-filled sac near the pancreasmight develop. Thankfully, doctors can monitor and treat these cysts, minimizing symptoms and enabling you to live more comfortably.
- Gastric Ulcer: A gastric ulcer is a sore on the lining of your stomach that can cause discomfort and pain, but with proper medication and lifestyle changes, you can effectively manage it and feel much better.
- Dysentery: Dealing with dysentery can be challenging, but with appropriate medical care including medication and fluid management you can recover, reducing discomfort and improving your quality of life.
- Esophageal Achalasia and Cardiospasm: Achalasia and cardiospasm cause the lower esophageal sphincter to malfunction, making swallowing difficult. However, various treatments, including balloon dilation or surgery, help to improve swallowing and overall quality of life, so it is important to get a diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
- Noninfectious Gastroenteritis and Colitis: Experiencing stomach or colon inflammation without infection? This condition is manageable with simple steps like increasing fluid intake and resting to reduce discomfort, helping seniors maintain independence.
- Gastroparesis: Experiencing persistent nausea, vomiting, and early fullness after eating might be a sign of gastroparesis, a condition that can be managed with dietary changes and medication, significantly improving your daily comfort.
- Intestinal Diverticulitis: Diverticulitis affects the large intestine, causing pain, and sometimes requiring treatment with antibiotics or changes to your diet to alleviate symptoms and help you feel better.
- Unexplained Weight Loss: Losing weight without trying can be concerning, especially as we age. It's crucial to talk to your doctor to identify the reason and address it with a personalized plan that can help you maintain your strength and independence.
- Mallory-Weiss Syndrome: This condition, Mallory-Weiss syndrome, involves a tear in the food pipe (esophagus) from severe vomiting or coughing, sometimes causing bleeding. Fortunately, it often heals on its own with simple care, improving your digestive comfort.
- Visceroptosis: Visceroptosis is a condition where your abdominal organs droop lower than usual, sometimes causing discomfort or digestive issues, but often manageable with lifestyle changes and supportive care.
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. Prabhakar Rumalla offers a range of services designed to diagnose, manage, and support the health of older adults:
- Rigid Proctosigmoidoscopy: This simple procedure helps assess the health of your rectum and lower colon, providing valuable information for your overall digestive health plan and identifying any issues early on.
- Gallbladder Scan: To manage your digestive symptoms, a gallbladder scan can provide valuable information for your doctor to determine whether your gallbladder is the source of your discomfort.
- Liver Function Test: A liver function test is a simple blood test that helps your doctor assess the health of your liver and detect potential problems early.
- Duodenal Polypectomy: As part of your comprehensive care plan, duodenal polypectomy removes polyps from the duodenum, a part of your small intestine, minimizing your risk of future digestive issues.
- Biliary Drainage: Biliary drainage can be a vital step in managing serious liver conditions in seniors, helping reduce infections and improving quality of life.
- Impedance Testing: As part of your comprehensive care, impedance testing provides valuable information about your swallowing mechanism and identifies potential issues that may need attention.
- Instrumental Diagnostic Evaluation for Dysphagia: To better understand and manage swallowing problems, this evaluation employs various tools to assess the mechanics of swallowing, informing the creation of a personalized care plan for seniors.
- Colonoscopy: This procedure helps manage your colorectal health by directly visualizing your colon, allowing for the removal of potentially harmful growths before they become cancerous.
- Hemorrhoidectomy or Excision of Anal Tags: Hemorrhoidectomy or excision of anal tags is a surgical procedure to remove hemorrhoids or excess skin tags around the anus, relieving pain and discomfort for seniors.
- Liver Biopsy: If you're experiencing symptoms like fatigue or jaundice, a liver biopsy can be a crucial step in determining the underlying cause and tailoring your treatment.
- pH Probe: To create a comprehensive care plan for your digestive health, a pH probe provides valuable data on the acid levels in your esophagus.
- Colon Cancer Screening: Colon cancer screening helps find colon polyps or cancer early, when treatment is most effective, giving seniors a better chance at a long and healthy life.
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 Gastroenterology in Florida.
Dr. Prabhakar Rumalla 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 the guidance of a gastroenterologist, a senior couple found relief from the discomfort of proctoptosis, allowing them to enjoy their evening walks together without the previous disruption to their routines.
- With the gastroenterologist's guidance, a senior felt a significant reduction in abdominal discomfort, allowing them to resume their beloved weekly bridge games with renewed energy and confidence.
- After careful monitoring and treatment for a pancreatic pseudocyst, a senior couple regained the ability to enjoy their weekly card games with friends, a cherished activity that had been hampered by discomfort. Their quality of life significantly improved, bringing them much-needed peace of mind.
These scenarios are illustrative examples of positive health outcomes. Individual results vary and depend on many factors specific to each person. He 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
View on Map
- HCA Florida St. Lucie Hospital Port St. Lucie (Residency Hospital)
- American Board of Internal Medicine (Gastroenterology)
- American Board of Internal Medicine (Internal Medicine)
Here are answers to some common questions about Gastroenterological care with Dr. Prabhakar Rumalla:
- What is a Gastroenterologist?
- A gastroenterologist, or GI doctor, is a specialist trained to care for the entire digestive system, including the esophagus, stomach, intestines, colon, liver, gallbladder, and pancreas. They diagnose, treat, and prevent a wide range of digestive diseases to help maintain comfort and health in older adults.
- Why is a colonoscopy so important for older adults?
- A colonoscopy is crucial for older adults because it's the most effective way to prevent colorectal cancer, a common concern in this age group. Dr. Rumalla can use this procedure to find and remove small growths called polyps before they have a chance to develop into cancer, making it a vital proactive step toward long-term health and peace of mind.
- What can I expect during my first consultation with Dr. Prabhakar Rumalla?
- Your first consultation with Dr. Rumalla will be a comprehensive conversation about your digestive health. We'll review your symptoms, diet, medications, and health history. This thorough evaluation is the first step toward creating a personalized plan to address your concerns, whether it's heartburn, a change in bowel habits, or a screening.
- What are the treatment options for painful hemorrhoids?
- Hemorrhoids are a common and uncomfortable issue in older adults. Many cases can be managed effectively with dietary changes and at-home care. For persistent problems, Dr. Rumalla offers minimally invasive in-office procedures like banding, which are quick, effective, and require little downtime.
- What is the difference between celiac disease and gluten sensitivity?
- Celiac disease is an autoimmune reaction to gluten, damaging the small intestine. Gluten sensitivity causes similar symptoms but without the immune response or intestinal damage. A gastroenterologist can accurately diagnose the condition and develop the best treatment plan.
- How do you manage Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis in seniors?
- Managing Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis in older adults requires a careful, personalized approach. The goal is to control inflammation, manage symptoms, and maintain nutrition while carefully considering other health conditions. Dr. Rumalla works to find the safest and most effective therapies to ensure the best possible quality of life.
- What does it mean if I have 'fatty liver disease'?
- Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is when extra fat builds up in your liver. In early stages, it can often be managed or even reversed with lifestyle changes like diet and exercise. Dr. Rumalla can help you monitor and manage this important health indicator.
- I have trouble swallowing sometimes. Is that a GI problem?
- Yes, difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) is a very important gastrointestinal symptom. Dr. Rumalla can perform evaluations, such as an upper endoscopy (EGD), to investigate the cause, which could range from reflux to other esophageal conditions. The goal is to ensure you can eat safely and comfortably.
1901 SE 18th Ave Ste 400
Ocala FL 34471
Phone: (772) 217-4498
Dr. Prabhakar Rumalla, 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): 1669404943
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. Gastroenterology like Dr. Prabhakar Rumalla 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.