For those searching for a GI doctor near me 77493, then you’re in luck! Katy Stomach Doctor is here to provide you with the gastrointestinal healthcare you need today.

For those with digestive issues like abnormal discomfort, heartburn, or changes in their bowel habits, a GI doctor can help identify the underlying cause and offer treatment. Our friendly and knowledgeable team is led by Dr. James Maher, who is board-certified in both Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology.

Katy Stomach Doctor prides itself in its dedication to patient education and quality care so that you can rest easy in our service. Call us today or browse our website for more information on our practice and the services we offer.

What Can A GI Doctor Near Me 77493 Do For Me?

GI doctors, or gastroenterologists, specialize in dealing with disorders and diseases affecting the digestive system. The digestive system comprises of the organs that work to take in food and break them down into nutrients that the body can make use of.

There are lots of organs in the digestive system. The digestive system includes the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, which is composed of the mouth, throat, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum, and anus. The GI tract works to break food down using motions (such as chewing, squeezing, and mixing) and digestive juices (like stomach acid, bile, and enzymes).

The digestive system also includes the liver, pancreas, and gallbladder. These organs produce and store the digestive juices that the GI tract uses. The pancreas provides enzyme-rich juices for the small intestine. The liver produces bile for the small intestine that is stored in the gallbladder in-between meals.

GI Diseases And Disorders

With how many organs are in the digestive system, it is inevitable that GI problems are extremely widespread and common. Digestive issues that a GI doctor near me 77493 can treat include:

Inexplicable changes in bowel habits such as…
- Diarrhea.
- Constipation.
- Blood in your stool.
Heartburn.
Peptic ulcers.
Gall stones.
Acid reflux and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Hemorrhoids.
Pancreatitis.
Liver diseases.
Hepatitis.
And many more!

Services Katy Stomach Doctors Can Provide

You might be nervous about seeing a GI doctor. After all, a visit to any doctor or medical practice can be stressful. To ease your mind, here is what you can expect to happen at Katy Stomach Doctor.

No matter what service you are seeking, when you visit the GI doctor for the first time, they will likely ask you about your symptoms and medical history. They’ll also ask you about any treatments you’ve tried. They may also perform a physical exam to try and find the cause of your symptoms.

The GI doctor might also suggest tests or other medical procedures to diagnose your digestive issue. These include…

Blood tests: These tests identify signs of infection or other conditions that may be causing your symptoms.
Stool sample tests: These tests check for signs of infection or other conditions that may be causing your symptoms.
X-rays: An abdominal x-ray may be performed to check for blockages in the intestines. The GI doctor might also have you swallow barium, which will highlight parts of your GI tract on a scan. An x-ray of a barium-highlighted GI tract will show the doctor how your organs are moving.
Endoscopy: An endoscopy is a kind of procedure in which a flexible, lighted tube is inserted through the mouth and into the stomach and intestines. This allows the doctor to directly view the inside of the digestive tract and take biopsies (tissue samples) if needed.
Colonoscopy: A colonoscopy is a type of procedure in which a flexible, lighted tube is inserted through the rectum and into the colon. The tube is used to look for polyps (abnormal growths), remove polyps, or take biopsies.

Typically, an endoscopy is used for upper GI tract issues such as heartburn, vomiting, or belly problems. A colonoscopy is used for lower GI tract issues that affect how you poop, such as constipation, IBD, or blood in the stool.

If nothing can be found on your endoscopy or colonoscopy results, then your GI doctor might have an enteroscopy performed. For this procedure, the patient swallows a tiny video capsule. This capsule transmits pictures of the inside of your gastrointestinal tract to your doctor. This could reveal causes of bleeding or ulcers.

Treatment Of Digestive Issues

After the GI doctor diagnoses your digestive issue, they can prescribe the right treatment for you. They might suggest over-the-counter medication or supplements such as antacids for heartburn, laxative for constipation, or probiotics to promote gut health.

If your issue can’t be solved using over-the-counter medication, the GI doctor might prescribe medication. For GERD, for example, GI doctors usually prescribe acid blockers. If you have ulcers, they often prescribe proton pump inhibitors.

The GI doctor might also recommend lifestyle changes to manage your symptoms. These could include:

Cutting back on caffeine consumption
Eating more fiber.
Regular exercise.
Pooping more often.
Finding ways of managing stress.

In more serious cases, the GI doctor might recommend surgery to remove diseased or damaged parts of the digestive tract. The most well-known procedure of this type is the appendectomy, which removes the appendix.

The appendix is a vestigial organ. Early humans used this organ for digestion, but modern humans no longer need it and can live perfectly fine without it. However, sometimes people’s appendixes get infected and need to be removed.

We Accept Insurance!

Katy Stomach Doctor recognizes that our patients come from a variety of financial insurance plans. That is why we are pleased to say that our clinic accepts most major insurance plans, including Medicare, Humana, United Health Care, Cigna, and more! We also accept payment by check, cash, and most major credit cards.

Katy Stomach Doctor is ready to provide you with the digestive medical care you need. Call our medical clinic today to schedule your appointment with a GI doctor near me 77493.

Fun Facts About Katy, TX:

Katy is home to several master-planned communities, including Cinco Ranch, Grand Lakes, Kelliwood, and Seven Meadows.
The city is also home to the Katy Mills shopping mall, which is one of the largest in the Houston area.
The city is home to Katy Prairie Conservancy, a non-profit land trust dedicated to preserving and restoring the natural ecosystem of the Katy Prairie.
For more Katy fun facts, visit their website!