James Maher, M.D., is your premier Katy TX GI DR near me. As a board-certified gastroenterologist and in Internal Medicine, he has helped countless patients with their digestive health. His team and office dedicate ourselves to providing the best gastronomic healthcare to you as possible. From diagnosis to treatment, we are with you through it all.
About Your Area Gastroenterology Doctor
Dr. Maher started his medical school education at the University of Michigan. He soon sought out warmer climates at the Medical College of Virginia. There, Dr. Maher graduated at an accelerated pace, got out, and continued with his training. He went to the University of California-Irvine to complete his residency training in Internal Medicine. At the University of Southern California, James Maher, M.D., did a year of Fellowship in Hepatology. He did a Fellowship in Gastroenterology for two-years at the University of California-Irvine.
He went above and beyond what is necessary to become board-certified. Dr. Maher put in the work to become as educated as possible to better care for his patients. To this day, he participates in continuing education courses and recertifications to stay up-to-date in his field.
Our philosophy believes that patient education is of the utmost importance. An informed patient better understands what they need and what is best for them. We manage to do everything we can to explain your condition and treatment plan the best we can. So, if we ever need to slow down to explain things, do not hesitate to tell us.
As a Katy TX GI DR near me, Dr. Maher specializes in irritable bowel syndrome, biliary tract disease, colon cancers, inflammatory bowel disease, and endoscopies. We do plenty of other procedures and treat many more conditions as well. So, if you are suffering from any digestive issues, do not hesitate to come to see us.
Our Gastronomic Services
Dr. Maher is an expert in all things, digestive health-wise. As you Katy TX GI DR near me, he will help you through diagnosis and treatment. We can go over a bit of what we do. But continue to browse our website to see how we can help you.
Upper GI Endoscopies
The term EGD represents a broader category of procedures that encompasses both colonoscopies and endoscopies. It stands for esophagogastroduodenoscopy. It helps us examine and diagnose problems in the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and first portion of the duodenum. An upper GI endoscopy refers explicitly to this procedure done on the upper digestive system. Many digestive problems and symptoms can call for and be diagnosed through an upper GI.
An upper GI endoscopy consists of inserting a minuscule camera on a long, thin, and flexible tube down your esophagus. During the procedure, you are sedated. It is one of the safest surgeries out there. While you are under, we use the camera to search for any potential problems causing your symptoms.
Nausea, vomiting, chest or abdominal pain, heartburn, swallowing difficulties, and inflammation could all call for an EGD in the end. But, of course, we will only resort to an EGD after preliminary tests do not rule anything else out.
After choosing an EGD, though, we are going to ask some things of you for the process. First, you need a designated driver. You will be sedated during the procedure, and the sedation will leave you drowsy, dizzy, and impaired judgment. Besides, we are looking through your digestive tract. So, we are going to ask you to fast for eight hours beforehand. Your Katy TX GI DR near me will make sure you are well taken care of.
Helicobacter Pylori Infections
Helicobacter is an incredibly common stomach bacterium. Estimates claim that an astounding half the world’s population has it living inside their stomachs. The infection usually starts in childhood, and one can go their entire lives without seeing it. It is only once one reaches old age, past 65, that the bacteria start threatening some severe problems.
Certain conditions, mostly living conditions, leave people at higher risk of H. pylori infection than others. To begin, living in a densely populated area is a huge red flag. It only gets worse if that area is still developing or has an unclean water source. The real problem comes from living near someone already with the infection. Unfortunately, though, the bacteria are so widespread that it is impossible to predict whether you or someone else has it with these factors.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Helicobacter infection’s symptoms include abdominal ache or pain, burning that gets worse when your stomach is empty, and loss of appetite, bloating, frequent burping, nausea, and unintentional weight loss. If you persistently experience these, then you should seek immediate medical attention from your Katy TX GI DR near me.
Over time, this can cause a severe medical condition. If you start seeing bloody or tarry stools or have difficulty swallowing, then call Dr. Maher as soon as possible. At this point, the Helicobacter pylori infection could be quite dangerous. It is damaging the lining in your stomach and will soon result in peptic ulcers. It could even mean stomach cancer later down the line.
We have several basic tests that we begin with: breath, stool, blood, and scope. Afterward, we might need to resort to an EGD. We might possibly take a biopsy while in there and examine the tissue. For treatment, we prescribe two antibiotics simultaneously, so the bacteria does not grow resistant to one or the other. Your Katy TX GI DR near me may also prescribe a stomach acid-suppressing drug to allow your lining to heal.
Katy TX GI DR Near Me
If you are experiencing problems with your digestive system, tract, or stomach, then contact us today. Dr. James Maher is an expertise gastroenterologist that will do everything for his patients. You can reach his office by calling (281) 945-5190. As you call, we can set up an appointment. You can trust Dr. Maher as your Katy TX GI DR near me.
Katy Texas Fun Facts
- “Old Town Katy” is our downtown area. It has many specialty stores, antique shops, and restaurants.
- Our original name was “Cane Island,” named after the creek.
- We have ten parks, including Heritage Park, best known for its restored buildings.
- While our primary industry is rice, we are also known for peanuts, cotton, and gas.
- For more on Katy, visit https://www.cityofkaty.com/about.