Are you looking for a Sealy TX Gastroenterology Specialist? Look no further than James Maher, Gastroenterologist. Dr. Maher’s wealth of experience with gastroenterology makes him the perfect doctor for your complicated gastrointestinal needs.
What is Gastroenterology?
When you eat, a lot of stuff happens between consuming the food and excreting it out the other side of your digestive system. Your pancreas, liver, stomach, and intestines all play vital roles in getting the nutrients from the food you eat. If something goes wrong, you need to see a very special kind of doctor called a gastroenterologist.
Gastroenterology is the study of the typical function of the gastrointestinal tract. This includes the stomach, liver, and esophagus. A gastroenterologist studies and treats the diseases that interrupt the inner workings of the digestive organs. All of the activity and diseases of the digestive tract fall under the domain of the gastroenterologist.
The unique training of the gastroenterologist allows them to provide high-quality, comprehensive care for their patients’ intestinal ailments. These doctors are experts in this field. They provide more accurate diagnoses on intestinal issues, and they are often consulted to provide accurate, thorough care for many different conditions.
A gastroenterologist spends three years doing their internal medicine residency and another two to three years doing a fellowship in gastroenterology. By the time they complete their training, including medical college, a gastroenterologist has spent nearly a decade learning about internal medicine and the physiology of the gastrointestinal tract.
Common Digestive Conditions
Digestive issues are pretty common. People may not enjoy talking about it, but most people have experienced some kind of stomach trouble or another ailment that impacted their ability to function properly. However, simply because they are uncomfortable to talk about does not mean that you have to suffer alone.
1. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
Also known as Acid Reflux, this condition is when stomach acid backs up into the esophagus, causing a burning sensation.
2. Gallstones
Gallstones are hard deposits in your gallbladder. These can block your bile ducts and cause a sharp pain in your intestines.
3. Celiac Disease
Celia Disease is a sensitivity to gluten, which makes it so that your immune system attacks your intestines. This can damage your body and cause a host of symptoms that are difficult to track to the source.
4. Crohn’s Disease
Crohn’s Disease can affect any part of the GI tract, but primarily affects the colon and small bowel. Mostly, this disease causes pain, weight loss, and fever.
5. Ulcerative Colitis
Ulcerative Colitis is a disease whose symptoms are similar to Crohn’s disease, but they only affect the large intestine, unlike Crohn’s.
6. Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a disease that causes symptoms like abdominal cramping and changes to normal bowel habits for several months.
7. Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids are swollen veins and inflamed blood vessels at the end of your digestive tract. They can cause extreme pain when sitting or using the restroom.
8. Diverticulitis
When your body produces small pouches in your digestive tract, the condition is called diverticulitis. These pouches can cause stomach pain and can be serious if not treated properly.
9. Anal Fissures
Anal fissures are small tears in the very end of your digestive tract. They have very similar symptoms to hemorrhoids, including bleeding and pain.
When to Seek Medical Treatment
These are a few warning signs that suggest you should visit a gastroenterologist. These signs are often painful deviations from your typical digestive function. However, you should be aware that visiting a gastroenterologist is a good idea for anyone over the age of 50 as they are most vulnerable to complications arising from intestinal problems.
Some of the most common warning signs that you should visit a gastroenterologist are ongoing, consistent constipation, regular sickness and vomiting, abdominal pain, chronic heartburn or diarrhea, or blood in one’s stool. While these complaints are not enough to warrant a visit to a gastroenterologist on their own, if they become chronic, they can become a problem.
One of the most common conditions that gastroenterologists expect to deal with is colorectal cancer. They are more accurate in assessing the results of a colonoscopy, so they are often the first line of defense against that kind of cancer. Then, along with an oncologist, they work together to form a plan of attack to treat the disease and give their patient a healthy life.
Tips for Finding a Gastroenterologist
If you need a gastroenterologist, you may not immediately know how to make an appointment with the right one. To alleviate some of the stress, follow these steps to find exactly the right doctor for you.
First, get referrals. Start with the list your primary care physician gives you, but you can also ask family and friends for their recommendations. The more referrals you have, the broader your search can be.
Second, research the doctor’s credentials. Finding a board-certified gastroenterologist is easy if you know what you are looking for.
Third, consider experience. If you are having complex gastrointestinal issues, you will want a doctor with considerable experience who can offer you the right medical advice.
Fourth, consider gender. You will want to have a doctor you are comfortable working with. If you would only be comfortable with a doctor of your same gender, that plays a significant role in your decision.
Fifth, research hospital quality. Your doctor’s hospital is your hospital, so you want to ensure you are getting the highest-quality care.
Sixth, evaluate communication style. How you talk with your doctor is important to understanding the care that you are being given. If your doctor has a communication style that does not gel with yours, it may not be the right match.
Seventh, read patient reviews. This is important because what people say about their doctors gives you a lot of insight into how they interact with their patients.
Finally, know what your insurance covers. Knowing what your insurance covers allows you to get the right treatment that you need without breaking the bank financially.
Sealy TX Gastroenterology Specialist
At the practice of Dr. James Maher, we know how important quality care is to you. That is why we are led by a Board Certified Gastroenterologist. Our experience is second to none. We provide the highest quality and most effective gastroenterology healthcare in our community to keep all of us healthy.
If you are looking for a Sealy TX Gastroenterology Specialist, you need to contact Dr. James Maher, gastroenterology.
Sealy, TX Fun Facts
- In the early 1820s, Anglo-American settlement a few miles to the northeast of the Sealy vicinity.
- Daniel Haynes came to Sealy in 1881, and in 1885, he invented a process that allowed for the manufacture of a felted, non-tufted cotton mattress.
- In 1944, the Sealy Volunteer Firemen’s Association purchased the Liedertafel for hosting the annual Firemen’s Frolic and other local social affairs.
- For more fun facts, visit our website!