Dr. Maher is the best Katy TX stomach specialist in the area. James Maher, M.D. in gastroenterology and internal medicine. Together, we do our best to provide you with the highest-quality and effective healthcare. We will get you in with your appointment promptly and put the priority on finding a solution. Our consultations and services are comprehensive, so we can evaluate any gastroenterology related diseases you may have.
About Your Doctor
James Maher attended the University of Michigan. He eventually moved to a warmer climate and participated at the Medical College of Virginia. Dr. Maher graduated in an accelerated program. He then completed his residency in Internal Medicine at the University of California-Irvine. Afterward, James Maher, M.D., went through a year of Fellowship in Hepatology at the University of Southern California. The following two years he found himself occupied with a Fellowship in Gastroenterology at the University of California-Irvine.
Clearly, Dr. Maher is more than educated in his field as a Katy TX stomach specialist. He went above and beyond, getting his experience. Dr. Maher is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology. And, to this day, he participates in rigorous continuing education and board recertification. His gastronomic interests cover colon cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, biliary tract disease, and endoscopy.
Our philosophy is that patient education is of utmost importance. Through open discussion with our clients, we discuss and explain the condition and all possible treatment options. This way, you can choose what is best for you, and you get the highest-quality care as you deserve.
Our Services
As your Katy TX stomach specialist, we offer a large variety of services, especially related to your digestive system. We can go over the ones geared explicitly toward stomach issues, but we offer many more. Make sure to check out the rest of our website to see what other problems we solve.
Upper G.I. Endoscopies
One of Dr. Maher’s major interests in his career, more patients require this procedure than one may realize. Upper G.I. endoscopies are for a wide variety of digestive and stomach issues. It is sometimes referred to as an EGD along with other procedures, such as colonoscopies.
The point of an EGD is to examine the upper digestive tract. The procedure consists of extending a tiny camera with a long, thin, flexible tube through the mouth. We are looking to diagnose an issue here. This is why an upper G.I. endoscopy could be called for from a variety of issues. Depending on what else has been ruled out during diagnosis, we could turn to endoscopy for chest or abdominal pain, heartburn, nausea, vomiting, bleeding, or swallowing problems.
It is a very safe procedure. But there will be a few things you need to do to prepare for it if your Katy TX stomach specialist calls for an Upper G.I. Endoscopy, then you will have to fast for eight hours before the procedure. And afterward, you will need somebody to drive you home. The sedation for the surgery will cause drowsiness, dizziness, and impaired judgment.
Helicobacter pylori
Pylori is a bacterium specific to the stomach. The infection typically occurs early on during childhood. Most never realize they have them because they never get sick from it. They are so common that they may infect half the people in the world. One of their significant causes is peptic ulcers. So, if you develop symptoms or go through a stomach ulcer, you should have yourself tested for Helicobacter pylori.
Signs and side effects for H. pylori include an ache or burning pain in the abdomen, abdominal pain worse when your stomach is empty, nausea, loss of appetite, frequent burping, bloating, and unintentional weight loss. Risks that can make h. pylori more probably include living in crowded areas, in a developing country, without a clean supply of water, or living with someone who has an infection. But, because it is so common, it is impossible to predict who has it truly.
If you are experiencing these persistent symptoms, you should seek immediate medical help. Schedule an appointment with Dr. James Maher, your Katy TX stomach specialist, if you notice any of these: difficulty swallowing, bloody or black tarry stools or vomit. The H. pylori infection can cause complications like ulcers, damaging the lining in your stomach. It also means inflammations and higher risk for stomach cancer.
We have a variety of tests that we go through to determine the tests: blood, breath, stool, and scope. If it calls for something like an endoscopy, then you will be sedated through the procedure. We may remove sample tissue and through a biopsy to inspect for the bacteria.
Pylori is treated with a couple of antibiotics simultaneously. It prevents bacteria from developing resistance from one medicine. You will also receive an acid-suppressing drug to help the stomach lining heal.
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
We commonly refer to this as GERD. GERD is when your stomach acid frequently flows back to your esophagus. This backwash, or acid reflux, can irritate and eat away at the lining in the throat. If this goes untreated, this can become a much more severe issue.
Acid reflux is relatively common. But, GERD is defined as experiencing acid reflux at least twice a week or severe reflux once a week. Most can manage the discomfort of GERD with a change in diet and over-the-counter medications. However, many need more powerful medicines or surgeries to prevent further damage.
At Dr. Maher’s office, we can do everything to solve a GERD problem. From diagnosis to treatment, procedures, and prescriptions, we have you covered.
If you have a more severe issue, you may qualify for a research program with us. Go through our website to start the preliminary process.
Katy TX Stomach Specialist
If you are suffering from issues relating to the stomach, then you may need a gastroenterologist. You should contact us today. To make an appointment with Dr. Maher, call us at (281) 945-5120 or fill out this form. We can help you as your premier Katy TX stomach specialist.
Katy Texas Fun Facts
- 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.
- “Old Town Katy” is our downtown area. It has many specialty stores, antique shops, and restaurants.
- Our original name was “Cane Island,” after the creek running through it.
- For more on Katy, visit https://www.cityofkaty.com/about.