Are you searching for a Spring TX Gastroenterology Specialist? Look no further than the Katy Stomach Doctor, James Maher. Dr. Maher’s exceptional experience diagnosing and treating GI tract issues makes him the perfect doctor for your digestive tract needs.
What is Gastroenterology?
When you consume food, a lot of stuff happens between actually eating the food and when you excrete it at the other side of your digestive tract. Your pancreas, liver, stomach, and intestines all interact with and consume the nutrients from the food you have eaten. If something concerning happens, then you need to see a specialist in the diagnosis and treatment of gastroenterology and internal medicine.
Gastroenterology is the study of the typical function of the gastrointestinal tract. This includes organs like the esophagus, stomach, liver, intestines, and colon. A gastroenterologist studies and treats the diseases that prevent the typical workings of these digestive organs.
These diseases can include liver disease, bowel diseases, digestive diseases, and abdominal pain. All of the activity and diseases of the digestive tract fall well within the domain of the gastroenterologist.
The unique training of a gastroenterologist gives them insight into providing high-quality, comprehensive care for all of their patients’ intestinal ailments. They are experts in the field of stomach and digestive health. Gastroenterologists provide more accurate diagnoses on intestinal concerns, and they are often consulted by other doctors to provide accurate and thorough care to patients for many different conditions.
A gastroenterologist requires significant training to receive their certification. Obviously, they must first complete their medical college, then they do an internal medicine residency, usually lasting between two and three years. Finally, they spend another two to three years doing a fellowship in gastroenterology.
By the time they complete all of their training, a gastroenterology specialist has spent about a decade all told learning and practicing internal medicine and the physiology of the gastrointestinal tract.
Common Digestive Issues
Though they are very common, people are a little squeamish about talking about digestive issues. They may not enjoy discussing them, but most people have experienced some form of digestive issue in their lifetime. They may have felt some stomach trouble or some other ailment that impairs their normal intestinal function. However, simply being unwilling to talk about it does not require that you suffer alone.
1. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease is the official name for what is commonly referred to as “acid reflux.” Acid Reflux is when stomach acid backs up into the esophagus and causes a burning sensation in the throat and upper chest.
2. Gallstones
Gallstones are deposits of sediments within your gallbladder. These can block bile ducts and cause significant, sharp pains in your intestines.
3. Celiac Disease
Celiac Disease is a sensitivity to gluten. This sensitivity makes your immune system attack your intestines when you eat gluten. This attacking can hurt your body and cause a number of symptoms that are difficult to trace back to the source.
4. Crohn’s Disease
Crohn’s Disease can affect any part of the GI tract, but it mostly affects the colon and small bowel. The disease can cause pain, weight loss, and fever.
5. Ulcerative Colitis
Ulcerative Colitis is a disease with similar symptoms to Crohn’s; however, instead of potentially affecting any part of the digestive tract, it only affects the large intestine.
6. Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a disease with symptoms that include abdominal cramping as well as changes to normal bowel function that lasts for several months.
7. Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids are inflamed veins and blood vessels at the end of your digestive tract. They cause extreme pain when sitting or using the restroom.
8. Diverticulitis
When the body produces small pouches within the digestive tracts, that condition is referred to as diverticulitis. These pouches can create stomach pain and can be serious if not properly treated.
9. Anal Fissures
Anal fissures are tears in the very end of your digestive tract. They involve similar symptoms to hemorrhoids, including bleeding and pain if not treated.
When to Seek Medical Treatment
These symptoms are just a few of the warning signs that suggest you might want to visit a gastroenterologist soon. These signs are often painful deviations from your usual digestive function. You should also be aware that you should visit a gastroenterologist once you reach the age of fifty as people over that age are most vulnerable to complications that arise from intestinal problems.
Some of the common warning signs that you should visit a gastroenterology specialist are consistent, ongoing constipation, sickness and vomiting, abdominal pain, chronic heartburn, diarrhea, or blood in the stool. While these complaints on their own may not merit a visit to the doctor, if they become chronic, then they deserve attention.
One of the more common ailments that gastroenterologists expect to deal with is colorectal cancer. They are more accurate with performing endoscopic procedures, and so they often form the first line of defense against some cancers. Then, along with an oncologist, they work to form a plan to treat the disease and give the patient a healthier life.
Tips for Finding a Gastroenterologist
If you need to see a gastroenterologist, you may not know how to make an appointment with the right one the first time. To alleviate some of that stress, follow the steps below to find exactly the right doctor for you.
First, get referrals. Start with the list of doctors your primary care physician recommends. You can also ask your family or friends for their recommendations. The more referrals you have, the better your search will be.
Second, research the doctor. Investigate their credentials. Finding a board-certified gastroenterologist is easy if you know what you are looking for.
Third, consider experience. If you have complicated stomach issues, you will want a doctor with significant experience to offer you medical advice.
Fourth, consider gender. You want a doctor you are comfortable with. If you want a doctor of your same gender, that will play a significant role in your choices.
Fifth, research the hospital. Your doctor’s hospital is your hospital, so you want to ensure you are getting the highest-quality care available.
Sixth, evaluate communication style. How you talk with your doctor is important to understanding your care. If your doctor’s communication style does not match yours, they may not be the right fit.
Seventh, read patient reviews. Knowing how real people responded to this doctor will give you insight into how they interact with their patients.
Finally, know what your insurance will cover. Knowing what treatments are available to you will let you get the proper treatment for your condition without breaking the bank.
Spring 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. We have the most experience possible to provide you with the highest quality and most effective healthcare. We want to ensure that all of our community is healthy.
If you are looking for a Spring TX Gastroenterology Specialist, you need to contact the Katy Stomach Doctor, Dr. James Maher.
Spring Texas Fun Facts
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