Are you searching, “GI doctor, 77449?” You should contact the clinic of Dr. James Maher. Dr. Maher is a gastroenterologist who has more than 30 years of experience in the field. Gastroenterologists diagnose and treat conditions associated with the digestive system or gastrointestinal (GI) tract.
The GI tract is composed of a variety of organs within the body. The purpose of the GI tract is to break down food, absorb nutrients, and remove waste from the body. The mouth, esophagus, stomach, liver, gallbladder, small intestines, colon, rectum, and anus, are parts associated with this system. More importantly, Dr. Maher has decades of experience diagnosing and treating conditions in this part of the body.
Dr. Maher is located in Katy, TX, but has traveled all across the country for his education. He started his medical degree at the University of Michigan. Afterward, Dr. Maher moved to Virginia to complete an accelerated program. Once his time on the east coast was over, he moved to the west.
After Virginia, Dr. Maher moved to California to complete his Internal Medicine residency. He attended the University of California-Irvine to complete his residency. Once he was complete with his residency, Dr. Maher attended the University of Southern California for a one-year fellowship in hepatology. Finally, he completed his education back at the University of California-Irvine with a fellowship in gastroenterology.
Since then, Dr. Maher has become a board-certified gastroenterologist with numerous years of experience. He truly cares about his patients because he considers all treatment options before moving forward. Furthermore, Dr. Maher believes patient education is one of the most important aspects of his job. With that said, he provides the best care he can for the numerous services he offers.
Services Available
Dr. Maher is capable of diagnosing and treating a variety of conditions in the digestive system. He is also able to perform annual procedures on patients who are at higher risk of cancer or other conditions. You can find a list of conditions Dr. Maher can treat below:
- Hepatitis C
- Hemorrhoids
- Helicobacter pylori
- Ulcerative colitis
- Crohn’s disease
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Colon polyps
- Ulcers
- Achalasia
- Barrett’s esophagus
- Gallstones
- Jaundice
- Liver disease
- Acid reflux
- Pancreatitis
These conditions range in severity and present a wide range of conditions. Dr. Maher cares for his patients by educating them on their diagnosed condition and proceeding with the best treatment option possible.
Below, you can find a small list of procedures Dr. Maher is able to perform.
- Capusuloscopy
- Colonoscopy
- Endoscopy
- Colon cancer screening
- Hemorrhoid banding
Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C is a viral infection that leads to liver disease or scarring. This infection is caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV) and does not have a vaccine. This virus is spread in a variety of ways, but the most common is through sharing needles. It can also be spread through unprotected sex, the reuse of needles during tattooing or piercing, and mother to child via birth.
HCV starts within an acute phase where it is active in the body but shows no symptoms. Often times, most people do not know they HCV due to it taking months to show symptoms. Once symptoms do start appearing, you can expect the following:
- jaundice
- fatigue
- loss of appetite
- weight loss
- dark-colored urine
- itchy skin
- pain in the abdomen
- confusion or drowsiness
- easily bleed or bruise
Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids or piles are swollen and inflamed veins within the rectum. This condition is one of the most common in the United States. In fact, three of four adults will likely experience hemorrhoids in their lifetime. However, some may not realize they have hemorrhoids as this condition is very mild and rarely worsens.
There are two types of hemorrhoids: internal and external. Internal hemorrhoids occur within the rectum and often show little to no signs. Since the rectum has few nerve endings in the area, pain is very rare. The most common symptoms patients may experience blood within their stool.
External hemorrhoids offer more symptoms because of their location around the anus. Common symptoms of external hemorrhoids include bleeding, pain, swelling, and irritation or itchiness. Often times, hemorrhoids go away on their own. Of course, in some cases, hemorrhoids may need to be treated with specific procedures.
Crohn’s Disease
Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes inflammation in different parts of the digestive system. There are several different types of Crohn’s disease, but the most common is ileocolitis. Ileocolitis causes inflammation in the colon and the lower end of the small intestine. Symptoms include diarrhea, significant weight loss, and pain or cramping in the abdomen.
Other types of Crohn’s disease include the following:
- ileitis
- gastroduodenal Crohn’s disease
- jejunoileitis
- Crohn’s colitis
There is no known cause of Crohn’s disease, but genetics does seem to have a role in the development. Some believe a virus or bacteria may also have a role in the disease, but researchers are unsure. Regardless, Crohn’s disease occurs when the immune system attacks healthy tissues in the body. This is known as an autoimmune disease. Normally, an immune system attacks bacteria and viruses in the body.
There are risk factors for developing Crohn’s disease. Younger adults under the age of 30 are more likely to be diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. Family history with the disease also increases your chance of the disease. Finally, the location in which you live is a factor. Those in urban areas are more likely to develop Crohn’s disease. This is due to the proximity of high-fat and refined foods.
GI Doctor 77449
As you can see, Dr. James Maher is capable of diagnosing and treating a variety of these conditions. He has more than 30 years of experience in the field so he can help you determine your condition.
If you need a diagnosis from a gastroenterologist, then call Dr. Maher’s office. You can reach his clinic by calling (281) 945-5190. You can also visit his Katy, Texas clinic. The services Dr. Maher offers are professional and carried out by a carry professional. So, stop searching “GI doctor 77449” and start calling!
Fun Facts about Katy
- Katy has several museums that honor the city’s history, heritage, and the country’s veterans.
- Katy was originally named Cane Island, after the creek that runs through it.
- Though a hurricane destroyed Katy in 1900, many historical buildings were preserved, and you can take a tour downtown to see them.
- Find more facts about Katy here.