Dr. James Maher can help you if you need a “gastroenterologist 77084.” He has more than 30 years of experience in the field of gastroenterology. Gastroenterology is the study of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract or digest system. The digest system involves a lot of organs and parts within the body.
The stomach, gallbladder, esophagus, intestines, liver, and rectum are just a few areas in which this field of study focuses on. The digestive system helps break down food, absorb nutrients, and rid the body of waste. Conditions within this area of the body include irritable bowel syndrome, liver disease, hemorrhoids, and hepatitis C.
The person you want the most for diagnosing and treating these conditions is Dr. James Maher. Dr. Maher started his career at the University of Michigan. Once he completed his time there, he moved to Virginia for an accelerated program at the Medical University of Virginia.
After Virginia, Dr. Maher moved to California, having already spent time there in the past. He attended the University of California-Irvine for his Internal Medicine residency. Then, he went to the University of Southern California for his year-long Fellowship in Hepatology. Afterward, he returned to the University of California-Irvine for a two-year Fellowship in Gastroenterology.
Soon after his education was over, Dr. Maher became a board-certified gastroenterologist. Today, he continues his own education and participates in medical education. He believes patient education is the most important part of his job. Dr. Maher also considers all treatment options before moving forward. This helps patients get the best care possible from their clinic.
Conditions Dr. Maher Treats
Dr. James Maher helps diagnose and treat a variety of gastrointestinal conditions. We already mentioned a few already, but you can see a more extensive list below.
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Liver disease
- Hemorrhoids
- Hepatitis C
- Ulcerative colitis
- Crohn’s disease
- Helicobacter pylori
- Pancreatitis
- Gallstones
- Cirrhosis
- Liver disease
- Jaundice
- Barrett’s esophagus
- Colon polyps
- Ulcers
- Acid Reflux
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
As you can see, the list of conditions Dr. Maher can diagnose and treat is extensive. This list is far from complete too. He can also perform specific procedures for patients like a colonoscopy or an endoscopy. These tests help detect potential conditions in certain areas of the digest system. For example, a colonoscopy helps detect cancer within the colon.
This procedure is performed with a long, flexible tube with a camera on end. The tube is inserted into the rectum and pushed up through the colon. Dr. Maher can also take samples of any polyps found in the colon with the tube. This procedure takes about thirty minutes to an hour.
Again, this is only one procedure Dr. Maher can perform. Gastroenterologists do not perform surgery. If surgery is needed for your condition, then he will discuss options with you. Continue reading to find out more about other conditions.
Crohn’s Disease
Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes inflammation in the digest system. There are several different types of Crohn’s disease, but the most common type is ileocolitis. This type of Crohn’s disease causes inflammation within the lower parts of the intestine and the colon. Common symptoms of ileocolitis include diarrhea, significant weight loss, and pain within the abdomen.
The other types of Crohn’s disease include:
- Ileitis
- Gastroduodenal Crohn’s disease
- Jejunoileitis
- Crohn’s colitis
Some people experience more than one type of Crohn’s disease at the same time. When this occurs, several different parts of the digestive system are affected at once.
The cause of Crohn’s disease is unknown. There is still a lot to learn about this disease, but we do know some details. Crohn’s disease is an autoimmune disease. Autoimmune diseases are when the immune system attacks healthy tissues in the body. A normal immune system should attack foreign pathogens in the body. In the case of the autoimmune system, the immune system misfires.
Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C is a viral infection that can lead to serious liver disease. This infection is caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). This virus is commonly spread through the sharing of needles while using illicit drugs. Other ways of contracting HCV include blood to blood contact through an open wound, unprotected sex, sharing of personal items like razors, and mother to childbirth.
This virus typically doesn’t show any symptoms for several months after infection. This is known as an acute stage. The acute stage typically transitions into a chronic condition, but not always. In some cases, the acute form of HCV clears up after the phase if over. This is known as spontaneous viral clearance.
Once symptoms do start, you can expect the following:
- Easily bleed or bruise.
- Fatigue
- Weight loss
- Jaundice
- Itchy skin
- Dark-colored urine
- Poor appetite
- Fluid buildup in the abdomen
These symptoms should be considered when visiting your primary care doctor. If they believe you have Hepatitis C, then schedule a visit with Dr. Maher today.
Cirrhosis
Cirrhosis is the scarring of the liver. Over time, the liver attempts to heal itself from taking damage from behavior or disease. As it repairs itself, the liver will create scar tissue. Eventually, there is too much scar tissue for the liver to function, and it begins to experience cirrhosis. Cirrhosis can be caused by chronic alcoholism or even hepatitis C. Regardless of the cause, it is a serious condition. The damage done by cirrhosis is irreversible, which is why it is important to find this condition early.
Gastroenterologist 77084
Not every gastrointestinal condition is serious. However, it is always important to receive education about your intestine and receive medical advice about it. Visit your family doctor for your symptoms. If they suggest you see gastroenterologists, then contact Dr. Maher’s clinic today.
You can reach Dr. Maher’s Katy, Texas, clinic by calling (281) 945-5190. Dr. Maher and his team will diagnose and treat your condition. Visit his services page to find out more about his practice. We mentioned a variety of conditions he can help with, but there are so many more than we mentioned. So, stop searching “gastroenterologist 77084” and start calling today!
Fun Facts about Katy
- Katy first held its continuing annual Rice Festival in 1981.
- Katy has ten parks, including Heritage Park, best known for its restored buildings.
- The city of Katy is only about 30 min/miles from Houston.
- Find more facts about Katy here.