Are you seeking “gastroenterologist 77450?” Choosing Dr. James Maher’s clinic will provide the care you need for your condition. Dr. Maher has more than 30 years of experience in the field of gastroenterology. This field is the study of the digestive system. Dr. Maher can diagnose and treat conditions related to the digestive system.
The digestive system is also known as the gastrointestinal tract or GI tract. Common conditions in this area of the body include irritable bowel syndrome and hepatitis C. Of course, these are only a few conditions within this field of study. Dr. Maher has several years of experience diagnosing and treating patients with conditions in the digestive system.
Dr. Maher is board-certified in gastroenterologists in the Katy, Texas area. He started his medical career at the University of Michigan. After graduating, he attended the Medical College of Virginia in the accelerated program. Afterward, he went to the University of California-Irvine for his Internal Medicine residency.
Then, Dr. Maher completed a one-year fellowship in hepatology. Following, he finished a two-year fellowship in gastroenterology. Since 1985, Dr. Maher has practiced gastroenterology. He heavily focuses on patient education and evaluates treatment options ever with patients. His clinic is capable of diagnosing and treating a variety of conditions in the digestive system.
Affected Areas of the Digestive System
The digestive system or the GI tract features several different organs and systems. The mouth is included in this system, but most gastroenterologists do not treat this area. Overall, the job of the GI tract is to digest and move food, absorb nutrients, and remove waste from the body. It uses the following organs and parts for the job.
- pharynx
- esophagus
- stomach
- small intestine
- large intestine
- liver
- gallbladder
- pancreas
- salivary glands
- tongue
- epiglottis
- rectum
- anus
Each of these areas of your body can experience a wide range of conditions. Dr. James Maher helps diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions. Below, you can view a small list of conditions his clinic helps with.
- Colonoscopy
- Hemorrhoids
- Crohn’s disease
- Hepatitis C
- Colitis
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Barrett’s esophagus
- And more!
If you are unsure if you need a gastroenterologist, then consult your primary physician. Many times, they will send you to a specialist when you are experiencing blood in your stool, the unexplained difficulty of swallowing, or abdominal pain. For those over the age of 50, you should see a gastroenterologist for annual screenings of colon cancer.
Below, you can see additional details about a few conditions.
Crohn’s Disease
The cause of Crohn’s disease is still unknown, but heredity seems to play a role in its development. This condition is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and can range in severity. Anyone can develop Crohn’s disease, but those between 20 and 30 are more likely to be diagnosed.
There are multiple types of Crohn’s disease, but the most common is Ilecolitis. This form includes symptoms like diarrhea, cramping, significant weight loss, and pain in the middle or right side of the abdomen. This disease is known as an autoimmune disease that occurs when the immune system mistakes healthy tissues as foreign pathogens.
Hemorrhoids
There are three different types of hemorrhoids, but it occurs when the veins in the rectum become inflamed. This occurs when the tissue of the veins becomes thin, and the vein is irritated. There are many reasons the veins can become irritated, defecating, straining during physical activity, anal sex, and a low-fiber diet are just a few causes.
Those who stand or sit for long periods of time have a great chance of developing hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids can occur just outside of the anus or within the rectum. Common symptoms of both include pain, bleeding, itching, and swelling. Most cases of hemorrhoids go away on their own. However, more serious cases may need over-the-counter ointments or medication.
Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C is inflammation within the liver. This condition is caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV), which is spread through bodily fluids. The most common mechanic of spreading the virus is through reusing the same needle as someone else. Other ways of spreading hepatitis C include the following:
- Being tattooed or pierced with a needle used by someone else with HCV
- Contact with another person’s blood through an open wound
- Mother to child through birth
- Unprotected sex with someone who has HCV
There are many symptoms of hepatitis C. The most common are dark yellow urine, fatigue, fever, and jaundice. Other symptoms include the following:
- Gray or clay-colored stool
- Joint pain
- Nausea or vomiting
- Pain in your abdomen
Colitis
Colitis is a chronic digestive disease that causes the inflammation of the inner lining of the colon. There are several different types of colitis, such as ulcerative, Crohn’s, and diversion. One of the most common is ulcerative, which affects the innermost lining of the large intestine and the rectum. Colitis can be debilitating or have life-threatening complications.
Commons symptoms of colitis include the following:
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain and cramping
- Rectal pain
- Rectal bleeding
- Urgency to defecate
- Unable to defecate despite urgency
- Weight loss
- Fatigue
- Fever
- For children, failure to grow.
The cause of colitis is unknown. It is expected that diet and stress can agitate ulcerative colitis. Many believe the cause is due to the immune system malfunctioning. Instead of the immune system fighting off foreign pathogens, it attacks healthy tissues. Another cause seems to be heredity. Most who have ulcerative colitis have a family history of it too.
Gastroenterologist 77450
As you can see, Dr. James Maher is able to help patients with a variety of conditions. The few conditions are not the only thing Dr. Maher can help you with. Visit his clinic today to learn more about his practice and your potential condition. His team will ensure the care of you and help you get back to feeling better.
Contact Dr. James Maher’s clinic by calling (281) 945-5190. His team can help you schedule an appointment and start feeling better. You can also visit his website for more information regarding his services. Now, you can stop searching “Gastroenterologist 77450” 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 about Cinco Ranch here.