Cinco Ranch Texas Liver Specialist

Do you need a “Cinco Ranch Texas liver specialist?” Dr. James Maher is a professional and highly experienced gastroenterologist. Gastroenterology is the study of conditions within the digestive system or gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The GI tract encompasses several different organs and body parts that work together to perform several jobs.

The stomach, small intestines, colon, liver, gallbladder, rectum, and anus, are just a few organs and parts associated with the digestive system. These organs and many others work together to perform three jobs: break down food, absorb nutrients, and remove waste from the body. Many conditions are associated with this area of the body. For that reason, you need an experienced gastroenterologist.

Dr. Maher started his career at the University of Michigan. After his time there was over, he moved to Virginia to attend the Medical College of Virginia. It was there where he would complete an accelerated degree. Once he was complete in Virginia, he moved to California, where he already had a past.

Spring TX GI Doctor Near Me
Dr. James Maher

Dr. James Maher attended the University of California-Irvine for his Internal Medicine residency. When his residency was over, Dr. Maher completed a one-year fellowship in hepatology at the University of Southern California. Finally, Dr. Maher completed his education with a two-year fellowship in gastroenterology.

A few years later, he became a board-certified gastroenterologist. Dr. Maher certainly cares for his patients, and the care he provides is high-quality. He believes patient education is one of the most important aspects of his job. Furthermore, Dr. Maher considers all his options when it comes to treatment.

What does the liver do?

The liver is the largest organ in the body and performs more than 500 different functions. With so many different functions, it can be hard to determine which ones are the most important. However, there is a handful that is critical to the body’s health:

  • filters the blood of toxins
  • stores vitamins, minerals, and sugars
  • produces bile
  • produces proteins needed all over the body
  • caries and produces cholesterol to the rest of the body

The liver is a special organ because it is the only organ that can regenerate its own cells. Unfortunately, repairing the liver comes with a cost known as scar tissue. Over time, scar tissue develops around the liver, which can create problems such as liver disease. Moreover, liver disease is not just caused by scar tissue. There are numerous conditions associated with the disease.

What is liver disease?

Liver disease is any disturbance to its functions that may cause harm to the rest of the body. Since the liver performs a plethora of functions, an illness could potentially do significant harm to the rest of the body. You may have also heard of liver disease as hepatic disease. This type of disease is a broad term that covers any potential issues with the organ.

Ten liver facts you should know

Even though the liver is a vital organ, it only requires only about 25 percent to be unaffected to operate appropriately. This means more than 75 percent of the organ could be affected by the illness and could still work properly. This means the liver disease is often detected very late in the stages because symptoms rarely show up early.

Speaking of symptoms, common signs include:

  • jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
  • abdominal pain
  • itchy skin
  • fatigue
  • loss of appetite
  • weight loss
  • easily bruise or bleed
  • vomiting or nausea
  • bloody or dark-colored stool
  • dark urine
  • Swelling in the legs, feet, or ankles

Causes of Liver Disease

There are several different causes of liver disease. Some of the most common include alcoholism and obesity. In fact, chronic alcoholism is the most common cause of liver disease in the United States. Alcohol is toxic to liver cells and causes inflammation in the liver. Fat accumulation will occur, and it affects the ability of the cells.

There is also nonalcoholic fatty liver disease or NAFLD. This is a liver disease caused by obesity from someone who rarely or never drinks. This liver disease is caused by an excess amount of fat around the liver. Researchers are not sure why fat accumulates around the liver in some patients rather than others—high blood sugar, high levels of fat, and being overweight increase your chance of NAFLD.

Symptoms of NAFLD include the following:

  • fatigue
  • pain in the upper right part of the abdomen

Chronic alcoholism and NAFLD can lead to cirrhosis, which is an advanced stage of liver disease. When the liver repairs itself, it creates scar tissue that builds up over time. Later stages, scar tissue, hinders the ability of the liver cells. So, the liver has a hard time functioning, and the rest of the body suffers.

Cinco Ranch Texas Liver Specialist
Abdominal pain is a common symptom of liver disease.

Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C is a viral infection that can lead to liver disease. This virus is known as the hepatitis C virus (HCV) and is able to spread through blood. The most common way HCV is spread is through the sharing of needles. Many are infected every year by sharing needles while using illicit drugs. Other ways of contracting the virus include:

  • mother to child via birth
  • unprotected sex
  • blood entry through an open wound
  • sharing of personal items such as a toothbrush or razor
  • reusing needles for tattooing or piercing

Often times, hepatitis C does not show any signs until the person has had it for a few months. The virus is still very active, yet so it may be passed on to others. HCV is treatable and curable so patients can feel comfortable even when they are diagnosed with it.

Cinco Ranch Texas Liver Specialist

If you need a Cinco Ranch Texas liver specialist, then contact the clinic of Dr. James Maher. He has more than 30 years of experience in the field of gastroenterology. Dr. Maher and his team will care for you to the best of their ability.

You can reach his clinic today by calling (281) 945-5190. His team will help you schedule an appointment. You can also view his services on his website. Plus, those who live in Cinco Ranch can easily find Dr. Maher’s Katy, Texas, office. So, stop searching for a Cinco Ranch Texas liver specialist and start calling!

Fun Facts about Cinco Ranch

  • In 2003 Newland Communities bought 1,828 acres of land for Cinco Ranch
  • Cinco Ranch is part of the Katy, Texas community.
  • The history of Cinco Ranch starts before Texas was a republic.
  • Locate more facts here.