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Home > CO Providers > Family Physicians & Family Medicine Specialists

Paula Rae Shellenbarger, DNP, MSNFNP, FNP

(456 Ratings)

Specializes in: Family Medicine and Gastroenterology (Digestive System)

Professional interests include: gastrointestinal problems (digestive disorders), colonoscopy

1025 Garfield Street Suite B
Fort Collins, CO 80524

(970) 495-7420

Paula Rae Shellenbarger, DNP, MSNFNP, FNP is a nurse in Fort Collins, CO specializing in family medicine and gastroenterology (digestive system). Paula Rae Shellenbarger, DNP, MSNFNP, FNP is affiliated with UCHealth, UCHealth Gastroenterology Clinic - Fort Collins and POUDRE VALLEY MEDICAL GROUP LLC.

Office Locations

Address:

1025 Garfield Street Suite B
Fort Collins, CO 80524

Some issues Paula Rae Shellenbarger, DNP, MSNFNP, FNP can help you with:

Colonoscopy

Colonoscopy is the use of a special tool called a colonoscope (a thin, flexible tube with a camera on the end) to examine the inside of the colon and rectum. The tube is typically inserted anally, and it allows the physician to examine the large intestine from the inside. It may be done at any time to diagnose bowel problems, but routine colonoscopies are advised after the age of 50 to screen for colon cancer.

A colonoscopy may be performed to diagnose:

Intestinal ulcers
Polyps
Bowel cancer
An unidentified source of pain or bleeding in the intestine

Patients may be asked to drink only liquids in the days before a colonoscopy, or they may be given an enema to remove residual fecal matter. Before the exam, patients are given medication to help them relax, and then lay on their side on a table. The scope is inserted into the anus and gently moved all the way through the large intestine. Air may be pumped into the intestine to improve the view for the physician. Any polyps that are found will be removed. Then the colonoscope will be withdrawn. A colonoscopy is not usually painful, but patients may feel some bloating or have some cramps right afterward. If patients have polyps removed, they might experience a small amount of bleeding. Any side effects should go away within a few hours.

Gastrointestinal Problems (Digestive Disorders)

The gastrointestinal system, or GI tract, is the name given to a collection of organs that work together to digest food. These organs fit together in a long tube, running from the mouth to the anus, and include the esophagus, stomach, and intestines, among others. With so many parts working together, complicated by today's busy lifestyles and diets, digestive problems are common. As many as 1 in 3 Americans have a digestive or GI disorder. There are a huge variety of digestive problems, but the most common are IBS, constipation, GERD, hemorrhoids, and ulcers.

IBS, or irritable bowel syndrome, happens when the muscles surrounding the colon contract too easily or frequently. The result is abdominal pain, cramps, diarrhea or constipation, gas and bloating. IBS attacks can often be brought on by specific triggers, so a key part of treatment is learning which foods trigger IBS attacks and avoiding them. Treatment also includes exercise, avoiding stress, and medications if needed.

Constipation, or large, hard, or infrequent stools, happens to everyone at some point. It can be caused by a disruption in routine or food, or by eating a diet without many fresh fruits and vegetables. Although it is uncomfortable, constipation is common and usually not serious, but it can sometimes become chronic. Adding fiber to the diet, exercising, and taking medications may help.

GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease, is a severe form of chronic heartburn where stomach acid spills back up into the esophagus. Left untreated, the acid may even eat away at the esophagus and cause serious damage. Treatment includes changing the diet to avoid trigger foods, losing weight if needed, medications, or even surgery.

Hemorrhoids are blood vessels around the rectum that become irritated, swollen or torn while straining during a bowel movement. They are most often caused by constipation, but can also be caused by pregnancy, diarrhea, or simply a genetic predisposition towards hemorrhoids. Treatment involves first treating any constipation issues, then keeping the area clean and soothed until it has healed. If these measures are ineffective, surgery is sometimes used.

Peptic ulcers are sores or spots of inflammation in the lining of the stomach or close to the stomach in the small intestine. Usually this area is coated with a protective lining that shields the tissue from the strong stomach acid, but a break in the lining can let acid in, causing the sores. It used to be thought that stress caused ulcers, but now it is known that is not the case. Most often, they are caused by an infection by H. pylori bacteria, but ulcers can also be caused by alcohol abuse or overuse of aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, or other NSAIDS. The symptoms of an ulcer are pain, hunger, nausea, and fatigue.

Gastrointestinal problems, perhaps more than any other area, are markedly affected by lifestyle. Many disorders can be prevented or treated at least in part by eating a healthy diet high in fiber, exercising regularly, drinking enough water, and limiting alcohol intake. Still, the frequency of digestive disorders means that even the healthiest person can be affected by them. Anyone who notices blood in their stool, experiences abdominal pain, unexplained weight loss, or any significant change in bowel movements should see a doctor.

In The News

“Family nurse practitioner Paula Shellenbarger has joined the team at UCHealth Gastroenterology and Therapeutic Endoscopy, 1107 S. Lemay Ave. in Fort Collins.”—"New gastroenterology provider will care for patients in Fort Collins", Greeley Tribune, May 2016

doctor visit	64

**Gender**
Male	50
Female	104

**Age**
From 65 to 74	88
From 75 to 84	30
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Hypertension	44
High Cholesterol	39
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	35
Depression	30
Chronic Kidney Disease	17
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	14
Heart Failure	16
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	14
Diabetes	25
Dementia	0
Cancer	0

doctor visit	294

**Gender**
Male	131
Female	177

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	284
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	171
From 75 to 84	81
85 and over	15
Less than 65	41

Hypertension	62
High Cholesterol	44
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	29
Depression	28
Chronic Kidney Disease	25
Asthma	17
Osteoperosis	9
Atrial Fibrilation	7
Heart Failure	9
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	12
Diabetes	27
Dementia	5
Cancer	14

doctor visit	295

**Gender**
Male	121
Female	161

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	259
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	152
From 75 to 84	78
85 and over	12
Less than 65	40

Hypertension	60
High Cholesterol	30
Stroke	5
Ischemic Heart Disease	25
Depression	27
Chronic Kidney Disease	21
Asthma	10
Osteoperosis	6
Atrial Fibrilation	7
Heart Failure	11
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	12
Diabetes	25
Dementia	7
Cancer	12

doctor visit	309

**Gender**
Male	125
Female	143

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	240
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	13
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	172
From 75 to 84	51
85 and over	14
Less than 65	31

Hypertension	55
High Cholesterol	47
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	23
Depression	25
Chronic Kidney Disease	25
Asthma	10
Osteoperosis	8
Atrial Fibrilation	6
Heart Failure	11
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	12
Diabetes	22
Dementia	0
Cancer	13

doctor visit	302

**Gender**
Male	113
Female	145

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	222
Black	0
Hispanic	17
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	132
From 75 to 84	68
85 and over	19
Less than 65	39

Hypertension	60
High Cholesterol	48
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	30
Depression	32
Chronic Kidney Disease	26
Asthma	10
Osteoperosis	12
Atrial Fibrilation	9
Heart Failure	14
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	13
Diabetes	27
Dementia	5
Cancer	14

doctor visit	282

**Gender**
Male	120
Female	131

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	223
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	144
From 75 to 84	66
85 and over	17
Less than 65	24

Hypertension	65
High Cholesterol	51
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	35
Depression	29
Chronic Kidney Disease	26
Asthma	10
Osteoperosis	10
Atrial Fibrilation	9
Heart Failure	16
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	11
Diabetes	26
Dementia	5
Cancer	14

doctor visit	551

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2015 - 2021

Volume of procedures performed by Paula Rae Shellenbarger, DNP, MSNFNP, FNP for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	301

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2015 - 2021

Information about Medicare patients treated by Paula Rae Shellenbarger, DNP, MSNFNP, FNP.

**Gender**
Female	86
Male	66

**Ethnicity**
Black / African American	0
Asian / Pacific Islander	0
Non-Hispanic White	122
Native American / Alaskan Native	0
Hispanic	1
Other	1

**Age**
85 and over	7
75 to 84	37
Less than 65	17
65 to 74	85

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Paula Rae Shellenbarger, DNP, MSNFNP, FNP From 2015 - 2021

The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Paula Rae Shellenbarger, DNP, MSNFNP, FNP treated were hypertension, high cholesterol, ischemic heart disease and depression.

Hypertension	34
High Cholesterol	25
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	17
Depression	17
Chronic Kidney Disease	14
Asthma	5
Osteoporosis	4
Heart Failure	7
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	7
Diabetes	15
Atrial Fibrillation	5
Cancer	6
Dementia	2

Education & Training

She has a state license in Colorado.

Licensed In: Colorado

Affiliations & Hospitals

Paula Rae Shellenbarger, DNP, MSNFNP, FNP is associated with these hospitals and organizations:

UCHealth

UCHealth Gastroenterology Clinic - Fort Collins

POUDRE VALLEY MEDICAL GROUP LLC

Ratings & Reviews

Paula Rae Shellenbarger, DNP, MSNFNP, FNP has an exceptional overall rating with an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars based on 456 ratings. We collect ratings and reviews of Paula Rae Shellenbarger, DNP, MSNFNP, FNP from all over the web to help you find the right in Fort Collins, CO.

4.6

Overall Rating

(456 Ratings)

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General Payments

These charts describe general payments received by Paula Rae Shellenbarger, DNP, MSNFNP, FNP. Doctors may receive payments for a number of reasons, including meal compensation, travel compensation, and consulting.

**Payments by Company**
Mallinckrodt Hospital Products Inc.	$138 TERLIVAZ $138

**Types of Payments**
Food and Beverage	$138

Biography

Ms. Paula Shellenbarger practices family medicine and gastroenterology (digestive system). Ms. Shellenbarger's areas of expertise include the following: gastrointestinal problems (digestive disorders) and colonoscopy. Her patients gave her an average rating of 4.5 stars (out of 5). She is affiliated with UCHealth.