When you need a Fulshear TX colon doctor for a cancer screening or treatment, you can visit the clinic of Katy Stomach Doctor James Maher. Dr. Maher is a board-certified gastroenterologist, so he has the learning and know-how of the issues that can occur in your digestive tract. Call or visit the office today to schedule an appointment.
Your doctors will encourage or repeatedly suggest getting a colon cancer screening the closer you are to your 50th birthday. It’s not the most incredible birthday gift they can offer you, but it’s an excellent way to catch colorectal cancer.
Colorectal cancer, which are colon and rectal cancers, is the second-leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S. for both genders. Despite that, colorectal cancer is entirely preventable if your doctors can catch it in time. And the easiest way to do that is with a colon cancer screening.
One of the common types of colon cancer screening is a colonoscopy. When you schedule an appointment with your colon doctor, they’ll explain the details of the procedure. Unlike some other procedures, this one is nonsurgical and minimally invasive. This procedure usually only takes anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour or two, so all you need to do is set aside a day in your schedule.
What a Fulshear TX Colon Doctor Can Do for You
Colon doctors are a type of specialty doctor that focuses specifically on your colon, rectum, and anus. With their expertise, they can offer diagnosis and treatment for any issues in those organs. Some typical issues they deal with are constipation, diarrhea, and hemorrhoids. They may also diagnose and treat various inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs).
Usually, your primary care doctor will refer you to a colon doctor when you need more specialized knowledge. Or, you may need specific tests that only a colon doctor can handle. And as mentioned before, these doctors are also the specialist you go to when you need a colon cancer screening.
Most digestive specialists or stomach doctors can offer the same health care and treatment options. That’s because your colon is the end part of the digestive tract, which is what these digestive specialists focus on. Although they may not have highly in-depth knowledge, your typical stomach doctor or GI specialist can still care for patients of all ages with a colon or rectal disorder.
Common Symptoms that Your Fulshear Colon Doctor Will Want to Know
Usually, when you visit a doctor, it’s because you’re experiencing concerning symptoms or something that shouldn’t be an issue isn’t going away. Stomach doctors and colon doctors treat patients with similar symptoms since the organs in your digestive system link closely together.
Some common symptoms patients have are abdominal pain, frequent diarrhea, ongoing constipation, or on and off nausea. And symptoms that are major causes of concern are bloody stool or unexplained weight loss. If you’re experiencing any of those listed, you should call a stomach or colon doctor today. Although they may pass, sometimes, these issues are the early signs of a more severe disorder.
Your Fulshear TX colon doctor will want to hear every symptom you can think of. Even if it’s a small thing like you’re suddenly losing weight even though you didn’t change your dietary habits. Most digestive disorders have overlapping symptoms, so the more they know, the easier it is to pinpoint the exact issue.
For example, rectal bleeding can be a side effect of both IBDs and colon cancer. Although both are severe conditions, their treatment plans are different. When you visit your doctor, listing any unusual occurrences will help them narrow down the list of possibilities.
A Colonoscopy: The Colorectal Cancer Screening Procedure
There are several different methods that a colon doctor can use to screen for colorectal cancer. However, a colonoscopy procedure is a method that gives the best results. Before going ahead with the procedure, your doctor will determine if you’re eligible for it. Although it’s the most surefire way to detect or prevent colon cancer, it may not work with some patients.
A colonoscopy is technically an endoscopic procedure. These types of procedures allow the doctor to view the inside of your digestive tract via a small camera. They maneuver a thin tube with the camera through your organs so that they can see what is causing your symptoms directly. A colonoscopy views the insides of your colon and rectum.
Before the procedure, the doctor will give you a sedative, so you don’t feel any discomfort during the procedure. They’ll wind the tube through your rectum and large intestine (colon) during the procedure. If the doctor notices anything suspicious, like polyp growths or abnormal tissue, they’ll take a sample for a biopsy.
Also, during the procedure, they can directly remove any unusual growths. Often, these growths can lead to cancer, so removing them can prevent that from happening. After they send any tissue they harvest for a biopsy, the doctor will be able to find out if they’re cancerous or not.
Of course, this procedure allows them to diagnose more than cancer. Since it allows the doctor to see the insides of your organs, they can also catch signs of disorders such as IBDs or internal hemorrhoids.
Visit a Reliable Colon Doctor Today
A color doctor is a specialist that focuses on your large intestine (colon), rectum, and anus. After intensive training in medical school, they can diagnose and treat any of your colon disorders and symptoms. They also offer colon cancer screening procedures to prevent or catch colorectal cancer before it becomes an issue.
When you’re looking for a colon doctor in the Greater Houston area, you should visit the clinic of Katy Stomach Doctor James Maher. Dr. Maher is a certified GI specialist that offers the same services as a colon doctor. He can diagnose and treat any issues that originate in your large intestine or rectum. Call us or schedule an appointment online today.
Even the most minor symptom can be the start of a larger issue. Visit Mr. Maher’s clinic to meet a Fulshear TX colon doctor today, so you can get the treatment you need.
Fulshear, Texas Fun Facts:
- Before the 21st century, Fulshear had less than 500 citizens.
- In the early 2000s, the town exploded with growth since it was close to Houston.
- By 2013, there were over 3,000 people living in Fulshear.
- For more fun facts, visit the town’s official page.