Are you searching, “Gastroenterologist 77494?” Well, Dr. James Maher has more than 30 years of experience in the field of gastroenterology. He and his clinic are capable of helping patients with a variety of conditions such as hepatitis C, hemorrhoids, irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn’s disease, and more. He can even perform routine tests on patients, such as colonoscopy.
Gastroenterology is the study of the digestive system or the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. This part of your body helps you digest food, absorb nutrients, and rid your body of waste. Dr. Maher is a Board-Certified Gastroenterologist and has an extensive background in education and experience.
Dr. Maher started his career attending the University of Michigan. Afterward, he moved to Virginia for an accelerated program at the Medical College of Virginia. Once his program was over, Dr. Maher moved to California, which he had been before. While there, he attended the University of California-Irvine for his Internal Medicine residency.
The next year, Dr. Maher completed his Fellowship in Hepatology. His next two years were spent completing a Fellowship in Gastroenterology at the University of California-Irvine. Since then, Dr. Maher has continued to participate in medical education. He is a strong proponent of patient education and believes it is one of the most important aspects of his job.
Dr. Maher’s Services
Dr. Maher’s clinic provides a variety of care options for patients. The aforementioned conditions are only a small sample. Below, you can see a full list of conditions Dr. James Maher can assist with.
- Colonoscopy
- Crohn’s Disease
- Hemorrhoids
- Hepatitis C
- Helicobacter Pylori
- Ulcerative Colitis
- Colon Cancer Screening
- Gallstones
- Cirrhosis
- Liver Disease
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
- Ulcers
- Achalasia
- Barrett’s Esophagus
- Acid Reflux
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
- Jaundice
- Gastrointestinal bleeding
The conditions above range in severity. If you feel you need a gastroenterologist, then consult your primary doctor first. Often times, they have good judgment of what type of professional can help your condition. You can read in detail about some conditions below.
Crohn’s Disease
Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory bowel disease that causes chronic inflammation in the intestines. There are many different types of Crohn’s disease that affect 3 million Americans. Men and women are equally affected by the disease. When it comes to age, young adults are the most affected. Those between the age of 20 and 30 are most affected by the disease.
The most common type of Crohn’s disease is Ilecolitis. In this specific type, the end of the small intestine and the large intestine. Common symptoms include diarrhea, cramping, pain in the middle or lower right part of the abdomen, and significant weight loss.
Unfortunately, the cause of Crohn’s disease is unknown. There is still a lot to know about this disease. However, there are organizations such fast the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation taking strides toward progress. What we do know is Crohn’s disease occurs when the immune systems start attacking healthy tissues. Normally, the immune system attacks bacteria or foreign pathogens. There is no known cause as to why the immune system starts attacking the body.
Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C is a viral infection that affects the liver. This virus is caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV) and is spreadable. The most common way hepatitis C is spread is through blood to blood contact. Typically, this is done with the reuse of needles. However, there are other ways of contracting the virus.
- Tattoed or pierced with reused needles
- Blood to blood contact with an open wound or scab
- The sharing of personal care items like razors or toothbrushes
- Mother or child via birth
- Unprotected sex
There are many people who are at risk of hepatitis C. The way this virus develops is it starts in an acute phase. This means there are little to now symptoms present. That said, many will not develop hepatitis C until months after contraction.
Within the one to three months after contraction, patients may experience the following symptoms.
- Jaundice
- Pain within the abdomen
- Loss of appetite
- Darky yellow urine
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Gray or clay-colored stool
- Joint pain
- Nausea or vomiting
There are no vaccines for Hepatitis C, so the best way to prevent contraction is to practice healthy methods. Avoid sharing needles, wear gloves and protective gear when handling someone else’s blood, avoid sharing personal care items, and practice safe sex.
Gallstones
Gallstones are hardened deposits of digest fluid that are created in the gallbladder. The gallbladder holds a digestive fluid called bile. These small stones range in size but may require surgery. It is possible for gallstones to have no symptoms or signs. However, there are some you can look out for:
- Back pain
- Pain your right shoulder
- Nausea or vomiting
- Sudden and rapidly intensifying pain in the abdomen
If you are not presenting symptoms of gallstones, then surgery isn’t necessary. Of course, it varies on your case.
Cirrhosis
Cirrhosis is a late stage of liver scarring. This condition is caused by a variety of things, such as chronic alcoholism and hepatitis. Once your liver is injured, it attempts to repair itself. This process creates scar tissue. Over time, scar tissue becomes too great, and the liver has a difficult time functioning.
Late stages of cirrhosis are life-threatening and should be handled with experienced care. In addition, liver damage done by cirrhosis is irreversible. For that reason, the care for this condition is important. Below, you can see a list of symptoms.
- Fatigue
- Ease of bleeding or bruising
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Swollen legs, ankles, or feet
- Weight loss
- Redness in the palms
- Jaundice
- Itchy skin
If you have some of these symptoms, then see a primary doctor right away. They will suggest the next steps, such a gastroenterologist.
Gastroenterologist 77494
As you can see, the conditions diagnosed and treated by Dr. James Maher range in severity. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms, then see primary care. They can provide the next best steps for your care. If they suggest you see a gastroenterologist, then give Dr. Jame Maher a call today. You can reach his clinic at (281) 945-5190. You can also visit his services page for more information on these conditions. Now, stop searching “gastroenterologist 77494” and start calling!
Fun Facts about Katy
- Katy has ten parks, including Heritage Park, best known for its restored buildings.
- Katy is only about 30 min./miles from Houston.
- The city first held its continuing annual Rice Festival in 1981.
- Locate more fun facts about Katy here.