Pancreatic Disorders
From pancreatitis to pancreatic cysts, early detection and proper management are critical. Dr. Maher uses advanced diagnostics to evaluate and treat complex pancreatic conditions at every stage.
5 Conditions Managed
Acute, chronic, cysts, EPI, and more
Advanced Diagnostics
CT, MRI/MRCP, EUS, fecal elastase
Long-Term Monitoring
Cyst surveillance and chronic management
Your Pancreas: Small Organ, Big Job
Your pancreas sits behind your stomach, deep in the abdomen. Despite its small size, it performs two essential functions that keep your entire body running.
Digestive Function
Produces enzymes that break down fats, proteins, and carbohydrates so your body can absorb nutrients from food.
Hormonal Function
Releases insulin and glucagon to regulate blood sugar levels and control how your body uses energy.
When something goes wrong with your pancreas, the effects are serious. Pancreatic conditions cause severe pain, disrupt digestion, affect blood sugar control, and in some cases, carry life-threatening complications.
Because the pancreas is located deep in the body, problems can develop silently before symptoms appear. Dr. Maher evaluates and manages the full range of pancreatic disorders, from acute episodes that require urgent care to chronic conditions that need long-term monitoring.
Pancreatic Conditions Dr. Maher Manages
Each condition requires a different approach. Dr. Maher tailors evaluation and management to your specific diagnosis.
Acute Pancreatitis
A sudden inflammation of the pancreas that causes severe upper abdominal pain, often radiating to the back. The most common causes are gallstones and heavy alcohol use. Dr. Maher evaluates the cause and coordinates treatment to prevent recurrence.
Chronic Pancreatitis
Repeated episodes of inflammation cause permanent scarring and damage over time. Chronic pancreatitis leads to persistent pain, poor digestion, and eventually the loss of the pancreas's ability to produce enzymes and insulin. Dr. Maher manages this condition long-term with medication, enzyme replacement, and ongoing monitoring.
Pancreatic Cysts
Fluid-filled sacs that form on or within the pancreas. Some are harmless. Others carry a risk of becoming cancerous. With cyst detection increasing due to better imaging, proper evaluation and surveillance are more important than ever. Dr. Maher determines whether your cyst requires monitoring, further testing, or referral for intervention.
Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI)
When the pancreas can no longer produce enough digestive enzymes, your body cannot properly absorb nutrients from food. EPI causes bloating, diarrhea, fatty stools, and weight loss. Dr. Maher diagnoses EPI through stool testing and manages it with prescription enzyme replacement therapy.
Gallstone Pancreatitis
Gallstones that escape the gallbladder and block the bile duct can trigger acute pancreatitis. This is the most common cause of pancreatitis and often requires urgent evaluation. Dr. Maher works with surgical teams to coordinate gallstone removal and prevent future attacks.
When to See a Gastroenterologist for Pancreatic Symptoms
Pancreatic conditions can mimic other GI problems, which is why expert evaluation matters. See Dr. Maher if you experience any of the following:
- Severe upper abdominal pain that radiates to your back
- Pain that worsens after eating, especially fatty foods
- Unexplained weight loss or loss of appetite
- Persistent nausea or vomiting
- Oily, foul-smelling, or floating stools
- New-onset diabetes or sudden difficulty controlling blood sugar
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)
Go to the ER
Sudden, severe abdominal pain with nausea and vomiting may indicate acute pancreatitis and requires immediate medical attention.
Schedule an Evaluation
For ongoing, recurrent, or persistent symptoms that are not an emergency, schedule an appointment with Dr. Maher for a thorough evaluation.
How Dr. Maher Evaluates Pancreatic Conditions
A structured approach that connects your symptoms to a clear diagnosis.
Your Consultation
Dr. Maher reviews your symptoms, their timing and triggers, your alcohol and medication history, family history of pancreatic or GI disease, and any prior imaging or lab work. Pancreatic conditions require careful history-taking because they often overlap with other digestive problems.
Diagnostic Testing
Based on your evaluation, Dr. Maher may recommend:
- Blood work — pancreatic enzymes (amylase, lipase), liver function, triglycerides, calcium, and blood sugar
- CT scan or MRI/MRCP — to visualize the pancreas, detect inflammation, identify cysts, and assess the bile and pancreatic ducts
- Fecal elastase testing — to evaluate whether your pancreas is producing adequate digestive enzymes
- Upper endoscopy — to evaluate the bile duct when gallstone pancreatitis is suspected
- Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) referral — for detailed evaluation of pancreatic cysts or masses when advanced imaging is needed
Diagnosis and Management Plan
Once the condition is identified, Dr. Maher creates a plan that addresses both the immediate problem and the underlying cause. For acute episodes, this means stabilization and recurrence prevention. For chronic conditions, it means long-term monitoring and management built around your specific situation.
Treatment Tailored to Your Condition
Acute pancreatitis, chronic disease, and cyst surveillance each require a different approach.
Acute Pancreatitis Care
Treatment focuses on pain management, IV hydration, nutritional support, and identifying the trigger — gallstones, alcohol, medication, or high triglycerides — to prevent it from happening again. Dr. Maher coordinates with hospital teams during severe episodes and manages your follow-up care after discharge.
Chronic Pancreatitis Management
Long-term management includes pain control, prescription pancreatic enzyme replacement to restore digestion, dietary modifications (low-fat, small frequent meals), blood sugar monitoring for diabetes risk, and regular imaging to assess disease progression. Dr. Maher adjusts your plan over time as your condition evolves.
Pancreatic Cyst Surveillance
Not every cyst needs treatment. Dr. Maher follows established guidelines to determine which cysts require imaging surveillance, which need further evaluation with endoscopic ultrasound, and which should be referred for surgical consultation. His goal is to catch concerning changes early while avoiding unnecessary procedures.
Reducing Your Risk
While not all pancreatic conditions are preventable, you can significantly lower your risk by making specific lifestyle changes. These five evidence-based strategies address the most common and modifiable risk factors.
If you already have a diagnosed pancreatic condition, these same changes are an important part of your ongoing management plan.
Limit alcohol consumption
Heavy drinking is the leading modifiable risk factor for both acute and chronic pancreatitis.
Follow a low-fat diet
Reducing dietary fat helps prevent gallstones, the most common cause of acute pancreatitis.
Quit smoking
Smokers are 1.5 times more likely to develop pancreatitis than non-smokers.
Manage your triglycerides
Very high triglyceride levels can trigger pancreatitis. Work with your doctor to bring elevated levels down.
Maintain a healthy weight
Obesity increases your risk of gallstones, which in turn raises your risk of pancreatitis.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers about pancreatitis causes, cyst surveillance, EPI treatment, and when to seek care.
Book an AppointmentWhat is the most common cause of pancreatitis?
Is pancreatitis life-threatening?
What is the difference between acute and chronic pancreatitis?
Should I be worried about a pancreatic cyst?
What is EPI and how is it treated?
Can pancreatitis come back?
Do Not Wait on Pancreatic Symptoms
Pancreatic conditions are not something to monitor from home. If you are experiencing persistent abdominal pain, unexplained weight loss, or digestive changes, schedule an evaluation with Dr. Maher and get a clear answer.
Mon–Thu 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM | Fri 8:30 AM – 1:00 PM
19255 Park Row #104, Houston, TX 77084