Are you searching for a “GI doctor, 77494?” A GI doctor is also known as a gastroenterologist. This field of the study observes conditions within the digestive system or gastrointestinal (GI) tract. There are numerous organs associated with this system. The stomach, gallbladder, liver, intestines, colon, and rectum are just a few organs that are part of the system.
There are three primary jobs of the digestive system: break down food, absorb nutrients from the food, and rid the body of waste. Each of the organs listed above and many others help complete these jobs. Dr. Maher has more than 30 years of experience with this system. Additionally, he has an extensive background in education to help his practice.
Dr. Maher started his education at the University of Michigan. Once his program was complete, he moved to the Medical College of Virginia to complete an accelerated program. After he spent time in warmer weather, Dr. Maher moved to California.
While in California, Dr. Maher went to the University of California-Irvine. There, he completed his Internal Medicine residency. Afterward, Dr. Maher attended the University of Southern California for a one-year fellowship in hepatology. Finally, he ended his education with a two-year fellowship in gastroenterology.
Once his education was complete, Dr. Maher sought to become a board-certified gastroenterologist. Since then, Dr. Maher has cared for his patients with the highest degree. He cares for his patients and believes patient education is one of the most important aspects of his career. Furthermore, Dr. Maher considers all treatment options so patients get the best care possible.
Digestive System Conditions
Since the digestive system has several different organs, it has several types of conditions that can affect it. Dr. Maher is capable of diagnosing and treating a large variety of conditions. His services page lists a large amount of these conditions, but you can see a large sample below.
- Hepatitis C
- Hemorrhoids
- Crohn’s disease
- Liver disease
- Ulcers
- Gallstones
- Achalasia
- Barrett’s esophagus
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
- Jaundice
- Colon polyps
- Acid reflux
- Eosinophilic Esophagitis
Dr. Maher can also perform a handful of procedures to diagnose and treat the conditions above. Gastroenterologists do not perform surgery. Instead, their procedures are minimally evasive and usually entail a flexible tube be inserted down the throat or into the rectum. Regardless, these procedures are effective for diagnosing and, in some cases, treating certain conditions. You can read more about some of the aforementioned conditions below.
Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C is a viral infection that can lead to liver disease. The infection is caused by the hepatitis C virus or HCV, which does not have a vaccine. HCV is spread through bodily fluids, but the most common method is sharing needles while using illicit drugs. However, there are many other methods of spreading the virus:
- sharing personal items such as razors or toothbrushes
- infected blood entering the bloodstream of an uninfected person
- mother to child through birth
- unprotected sex
- reuse of tattoo or piercing needles
- blood transfusion or organ transplant before 1992
HCV starts out in an acute phase, and symptoms rarely appear until months after it was contracted. When symptoms do appear, they usually include the following:
- fatigue
- abdominal pain
- dark-colored urine
- jaundice (yellowish coloring of the skin and eyes)
- nausea or vomiting
- loss of appetite
- weight loss
HCV is curable, and methods are effective. In some cases, people’s bodies will go through spontaneous viral clearance. This occurs when a person’s body expels the virus after the acute phase. About 25 percent of patients will go through this.
Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids are swollen and irritated veins in the rectum or around the anus. There are two different types of hemorrhoids people can experience: internal and external. Internal hemorrhoids occur within the rectum and often do not show man symptoms. There are few nerve endings where internal hemorrhoids occur, so pain and discomfort are rare. You may experience blood within your stool with internal hemorrhoids.
External hemorrhoids occur around the anus and offer more symptoms than internal hemorrhoids. You may have external hemorrhoids if you are experiencing:
- bleeding
- pain
- swelling
- itchiness or irritation
Hemorrhoids are very common, and many adults will experience them without knowing. With that said, hemorrhoids are able to be treated at home with remedies or preventative measures. These home remedies are very effective in treating hemorrhoids. In addition to these remedies, it is best to intact preventative measures to avoid hemorrhoids in the future.
Crohn’s Disease
Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory bowel disease that affects different parts of the digestive system. There are several different types of Crohn’s disease, but the most common is ileocolitis. Ileocoliits affects the end of the small intestine and the colon (large intestine). It causes inflammation in this area. Symptoms include diarrhea, significant weight loss, and pain in the abdomen.
Crohn’s disease is known as an autoimmune disease, which occurs when the immune system attacks healthy tissue in the body. The cause of Crohn’s disease is unknown, but organizations are paving the way to find out. Many believe genetics are a factor in the development of Crohn’s disease. Of course, there is still a lot of research to be done.
There is no cure for Crohn’s disease, but there are effective ways of maintaining symptoms. Medication is the best way to control Crohn’s disease. Anti-inflammatory or immune system suppressors are effective drug types against the disease. In some cases, drug treatment is not effective, and surgery is necessary. This varies from case to case, however.
GI Doctor 77494
Searching for the right “gi doctor 77494” can be difficult, but Dr. James Maher has years of experience in the field. Whatever GI tract condition you have, he can help diagnose and treat it. You can also expect him to treat you with a higher level of care.
So, call his Katy, Texas, clinic at (281) 945-5190. He and his team will help you feel better about your condition. They consider all treatment options before moving forward. Dr. Maher offers a wide range of services for patients to use. Now, stop searching “gi doctor 77494” and start calling!
Fun Facts about Katy
- Katy has ten parks, including Heritage Park, best known for its restored buildings.
- “Old Town Katy,” the city’s downtown area, is where you will find many specialty stores, antique shops, and restaurants.
- Katy has several museums that honor the city’s history, heritage, and the country’s veterans.
- Find more facts about Katy here.