Fulshear Texas GI Doctor

If you are looking for Fulshear Texas GI doctor, then you should check out James Maher M.D. He can help you get the diagnosis and treatment you need to help you get feeling better. When you have a gastrointestinal disease, then it can disrupt or complicate your daily life. Get back to doing the things you love without any worry by talking to our specialist James Maher.

Dr. Maher earned his degree from the accelerated program from the Medical College of Virginia.  After he graduated, he then went on to earn his Internal Medicine Residency from the University of California-Irvine. Then he went on to complete his Fellowship in Hepatology at the University of Southern California. After completing that Fellowship, he then went on to complete a two-year fellowship in gastroenterology with the University of California-Irvine.

Fulshear Texas GI Doctor
Dr. James Maher

Once he finished his fellowships, then he became board certified in internal medicine and gastroenterology. Dr. Maher’s primary interests in the field are biliary tract disease, endoscopy, colon cancer, inflammatory bowel disease. When you choose to go to him for diagnosis and treatment, he will make sure you understand the steps being taken to treat your condition.

Dr. James Maher has more than 30 years of experience in the field of gastroenterology. He is capable of helping patients with their various conditions. Below, you can see a list of conditions Dr. Maher services.

  • hepatitis c
  • hemorrhoid
  • colitis
  • chron’s disease
  • irritable bowel syndrome
  • ulcers
  • gallstones
  • jaundice
  • Barrett’s esophagus
  • acid reflux
  • gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
  • colon cancer
  • liver disease

Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids are swollen and inflamed veins within the rectum or around the anus. This condition is one of the most prevalent conditions in the United States. It is estimated three of four adults will experience hemorrhoids in their lifetime. Many may not realize they have hemorrhoids because symptoms can be minor.

The cause of hemorrhoids is due to an increase in pressure in the lower rectum. Increase in pressure may be caused by the following:

  • straining during bowel movements
  • frequent heavy lifting
  • chronic constipation or diarrhea
  • anal intercourse
  • long periods of sitting on the toilet
  • pregnancy
  • obesity
  • aging
  • low-fiber diet

Hemorrhoids become stretched and are weakened when pressure increases in the rectum. As we age, our tissues weaken, which causes our veins to stretch. At the same time, pregnant women are likely to experience hemorrhoids because the baby puts pressure on the anal region.

There are many effective treatment options for hemorrhoids. Most treatment options can be performed at home. Plus, preventative measures are effective against hemorrhoids. It is best to eat high-fiber foods, drink plenty of water, and avoid straining during bowel movements.

Fulshear Texas GI Doctor
Straining during bowel movements or sitting on the toilet for a long time can increase your chance of hemorrhoids.

Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C is a viral infection that can lead to liver disease. Not all cases of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) cause liver disease. If left untreated, the condition can attack the liver and create cirrhosis in later stages. HCV spreads via blood. The most common way of it spreading is the sharing of needles using illicit drugs. Other ways of spreading the disease include the following:

  • sharing personal items such as toothbrushes, razors, etc.
  • resuing needles for tattooing or piercings
  • infected blood entering through an open wound or scab
  • unprotected sex
  • mother to child via birth

HCV is a curable virus even though it does not have a vaccine. Symptoms rarely appear right away. Instead, it often shows symptoms of months after contraction. When symptoms do start to appear, you can expect the following:

  • bleed or bruise easily
  • fatigue
  • poor appetite
  • weight loss
  • jaundice (yellowing of the eyes or skin)
  • dark-colored urine
  • swelling in the legs, ankles, or feet
  • drowsiness or confusion

Some may go through what is called spontaneous viral clearance, which is when the body removes the virus after its acute phase. About 15 to 25 percent of patients will experience this.

Chron’s Disease

Chron’s disease is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes inflammation in different parts of the digestive system. Depending on the type of Chron’s disease you have, the symptoms will vary. The most common type of Chron’s disease is ileocolitis. Ileocolitis specifically targets the lower half of the small intestine and the colon (large intestine).

The cause of Chron’s disease is unknown, but we do know it stems from the immune system. Normally, an immune system attacks harmful bacteria or viruses in our bodies. Well, in a disease like Chron’s, the immune system mistakes healthy tissue as a threat, so it attacks it. We know these types of diseases as autoimmune diseases.

Fulshear Texas GI Doctor
Abdominal pain is a symptom of some Chron’s diseases.

Other types of Chron’s disease include:

  • ileitis
  • gastroduodenal Chron’s disease
  • jejunoileitis
  • Chron’s colitis

It is possible to experience more than one type of Chron’s disease at the same time. Many believe the cause of the disease is linked to genetics, but there is still a lot we do not know.

When it comes to treatment options, Chron’s disease is not curable. However, the disease is very manageable for many. Treatment is geared toward managing symptoms until the disease enters remission. While in remission, it is important to avoid triggers that may flare-up the disease.

Medication is the best treatment option for symptoms of Chron’s disease. Depending on the case and the doctor, patients may be prescribed a combination of drugs. Some of the medications you may take include:

  • antiinflammatory drugs
  • corticosteroids
  • antibiotics
  • immune system suppressors
  • pain relievers
  • anti-diarrheal
  • nutritional supplements

Chron’s disease is manageable, but not everyone responds to the medication. With that said, organizations are paving the way toward new treatment options and a better understanding of the disease.

Fulshear Texas GI Doctor

When you need a GI doctor, contact the clinic of Dr. James Maher. He has more than 30 years of experience in the field of gastroenterology. Dr. Maher truly cares for his patients, which is why he provides essential education to each of them.

Call the clinic of Dr. Maher today at (281) 945-5190. His team of professional and friendly staff will work with you to schedule an appointment. You can also visit his Katy, Texas, office to schedule an appointment. Regardless, Dr. Maher is a highly experienced Fulshear Texas GI doctor.

Fun Facts about Fulshear

  • Fulshear was established in 1824
  • Fulshear features the highest per capita income and educational attainment in the Fort Bend County
  • In 1988 Fulshear had a population of 623 and twelve businesses.
  • Find more facts about Fulshear here.