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Stomach Pain Care in Katy & Cypress, TX
Abdominal & Stomach Pain Specialist in Katy, Cypress & Near Fulshear, TX
Persistent or recurring stomach pain deserves proper evaluation. United Gastroenterology Associates evaluates adults with upper or lower abdominal pain, pain after eating, bloating, nausea and changes in bowel habits at our offices in Katy and Cypress, TX. Most major insurance plans are accepted. Check insurance information.
Dr. Muhammad Ali Khan, MD, FACP, FASGE
Board-Certified Gastroenterologist & Hepatologist
Meet Your Abdominal Pain Specialist: Muhammad Ali Khan, MD, FACP, FASGE
BOARD-CERTIFIED Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist
CREDENTIALS AT A GLANCE
Board-Certified
Gastroenterology, hepatology, and internal medicine
Academic Medicine
Former Associate Professor, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center
Published Research
More than 100 peer-reviewed articles in gastroenterology
FACP and FASGE
Fellow, American College of Physicians and American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy
Dr. Muhammad Ali Khan, MD, FACP, FASGE
Board-certified gastroenterologist and hepatologist, United Gastroenterology Associates
Dr. Muhammad Ali Khan, MD, FACP, FASGE, is a board-certified gastroenterologist and hepatologist who sees patients at the United Gastroenterology Associates offices in Cypress and Katy. He evaluates upper and lower abdominal pain, bloating and bowel changes, and performs upper endoscopy and colonoscopy when they are clinically appropriate.
Dr. Khan earned his medical degree at Dow Medical College, completed an internal medicine residency at the University of Toledo, and completed a gastroenterology and hepatology fellowship at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. He served as an Assistant Professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and as an Associate Professor at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.
He is board-certified in gastroenterology, hepatology, and internal medicine, is a Fellow of the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (FASGE) and the American College of Physicians (FACP), and has authored more than 100 peer-reviewed articles. Read Dr. Khan’s full profile.
Professional Memberships
- American College of Gastroenterology
- American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (Fellow)
- American Gastroenterological Association
- American College of Physicians (Fellow)
- Texas Medical Association
- Texas Society of Gastroenterology & Endoscopy
Areas of Care
- Upper and lower abdominal pain
- Stomach pain after eating
- GERD and gastritis
- IBS and constipation
- Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis
- Upper endoscopy (EGD)
- Colonoscopy
- Liver and gallbladder conditions
Board-Certified
Gastroenterology, hepatology, and internal medicine
Academic Medicine
Former Associate Professor, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center
Published Research
More than 100 peer-reviewed articles in gastroenterology
FACP and FASGE
Fellow, American College of Physicians and American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy
When Should You See a Gastroenterologist for Abdominal Pain?
See a gastroenterologist (digestive disease specialist) when abdominal or stomach pain keeps coming back, lasts more than a few weeks, interferes with eating or daily activities, or comes with bloating, nausea, changes in bowel habits, weight loss or blood in the stool. You may also want an evaluation when pain:- Continues despite initial treatment
- Wakes you at night or follows a clear pattern with meals
- Is associated with persistent nausea or vomiting
- Comes with unexplained weight changes or fatigue
- Started recently and is different from pain you have had before
The right evaluation depends on your history, symptoms, age, risk factors and examination. Not every person with abdominal pain needs an endoscopy or colonoscopy, and some abdominal pain is not digestive at all. A gastroenterologist helps decide which, if any, tests are useful.
Acid reflux and GERD · Gastritis treatment · IBS specialist · Constipation care
Common Types of Abdominal and Stomach Pain
Where and when the pain happens gives useful clues, although location alone cannot diagnose the cause. Patients most often describe:
Upper Abdominal Pain
Burning, gnawing or aching pain below the ribs can involve the esophagus, stomach, duodenum, gallbladder, pancreas or liver.
Lower Abdominal Pain
Cramping or aching below the belly button is often related to the bowel, such as IBS, constipation or inflammation.
Pain After Eating
Pain that starts during or soon after meals can come from reflux, gastritis, ulcers, gallbladder problems or food intolerance.
Pain With Bloating
A tight, swollen or full abdomen with pain may relate to gas, constipation, IBS or slowed digestion.
Pain With Constipation
Cramping with hard stools, straining or infrequent bowel movements is common and usually treatable.
Pain With Diarrhea
Pain with loose or urgent stools can come from infection, IBS, inflammatory bowel disease or other conditions.
Pain With Nausea
Upper abdominal pain with nausea or vomiting can relate to the stomach, gallbladder or pancreas and may need prompt evaluation.
Recurrent or Persistent Pain
Pain that keeps returning over weeks or months deserves a structured evaluation rather than repeated guessing.
When Is Abdominal Pain an Emergency?
Some symptoms need immediate medical attention rather than a routine gastroenterology appointment. Severe or rapidly worsening pain should be evaluated in an emergency department.
When to seek emergency care
Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room for severe or sudden abdominal pain, vomiting blood, black or tarry stools, significant rectal bleeding, fainting, or a rigid, very tender abdomen.
Seek emergency care for
- Severe or sudden abdominal pain
- Fainting or confusion
- Vomiting blood
- Black, tarry stools
- Significant rectal bleeding
- A rigid or severely tender abdomen
- Difficulty breathing or chest pain
- High fever with abdominal pain
This information is not a substitute for emergency medical care.
What Can Cause Abdominal Pain?
Abdominal pain is a symptom rather than a diagnosis, and symptoms overlap between conditions, so an accurate diagnosis should not rest on symptoms alone. Possible digestive causes include:- Acid reflux or GERD
- Gastritis and peptic ulcers
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Constipation
- Inflammatory bowel disease, such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis
- Celiac disease and food intolerances
- Gallbladder, pancreas or liver conditions
Pain can also come from the urinary tract, reproductive organs, muscles or the heart, which is why your history and examination guide what happens next.
Upper abdominal pain causes · Abdominal pain causes by location
Gastroenterology Care for Fulshear Patients
Patients from Fulshear and nearby communities can conveniently visit our Katy gastroenterology office at 23920 Katy Freeway, Suite 555, Katy, TX 77494, about 21 minutes away. United Gastroenterology Associates welcomes new patients seeking evaluation for abdominal pain, reflux, bloating, bowel changes, IBS, colonoscopy and other digestive concerns.
How Does a Gastroenterologist Evaluate Abdominal Pain?
An evaluation starts with understanding your symptoms: where the pain is, when it started, whether it is constant or comes and goes, how eating affects it, and whether you have nausea, bowel changes, weight changes or a family history of digestive disease. Testing is chosen only when it will help answer the question.
History and Examination
A careful history, medication review and physical examination often narrow the possible causes before any test is ordered.
Lab, Stool and Imaging Tests
Blood tests, stool tests, H. pylori testing or imaging such as ultrasound or CT may be used depending on your symptoms.
Upper Endoscopy (EGD)
May be considered for persistent upper abdominal symptoms, especially with warning signs, to examine the esophagus, stomach and duodenum.
Colonoscopy
May be considered for selected lower abdominal symptoms, bowel changes, bleeding or age-appropriate screening.
Not every patient with abdominal pain needs the same tests. Your gastroenterologist will explain why a test is or is not recommended.
Abdominal Pain With Bloating or Bowel Changes
Abdominal pain together with bloating or a change in bowel habits, such as new constipation, persistent diarrhea, alternating constipation and diarrhea, or a change in stool frequency or appearance, should be discussed with a gastroenterologist.
A gastroenterologist reviews when symptoms occur, whether they relate to meals or certain foods, medication use, previous digestive conditions and earlier tests. Many of these patterns are linked to IBS or constipation, but new changes, especially after age 45 or with bleeding, deserve a careful look.
Changes in bowel habits · Stomach swelling and bloating · Inflammatory bowel disease
Abdominal Pain Care at Our Katy and Cypress Offices
Dr. Khan sees patients at the Cypress office at 21216 Northwest Freeway, Suite 640, Cypress, TX 77429, serving Cypress, Tomball, Jersey Village and northwest Houston, and at the Katy office at 23920 Katy Freeway, Suite 555, Katy, TX 77494, serving Katy, Fulshear, Richmond, Rosenberg and west Houston. Fulshear-area patients usually find the Katy office most convenient. Both offices share one phone number for scheduling.
United Gastroenterology Associates – Cypress Office
Cypress office – Northwest Freeway (US-290)
- Address: 21216 Northwest Freeway, Suite 640, Cypress, TX 77429
- Phone: (346) 340-4414
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–5:00 PM (closed 12:00–1:30 PM for lunch; last appointment 4:30 PM)
United Gastroenterology Associates – Katy Office
Katy office – Katy Freeway (I-10) near the Grand Parkway
- Address: 23920 Katy Freeway, Suite 555, Katy, TX 77494
- Phone: (346) 340-4414
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–5:00 PM (closed 12:00–1:30 PM for lunch; last appointment 4:30 PM)
Insurance and Self-Pay Options
United Gastroenterology Associates accepts most major insurance plans. Insurance coverage, benefits and patient responsibility vary by plan and should be verified before treatment or procedures; the office can help you check your benefits. Self-pay options are available.
A carrier logo does not guarantee coverage for a specific plan or service. Call (346) 340-4414 to confirm your benefits.
What Patients Say About Dr. Khan
These reviews were shared by patients of United Gastroenterology Associates and are published on the practice website.
“Dr. Khan is an exceptionally kind and compassionate physician. He truly listens to his patients and takes the time to explain everything clearly and thoroughly. His treatment plans are straightforward and easy to understand, and he provides a very personalized, attentive level of care. I felt respected, heard, and genuinely cared for throughout my visit.”
Maria Andreina Behrens · Katy
“Dr. Khan is an amazing physician. He is so kind hearted & wants to help you in every way possible. He listens & doesn’t make you feel rushed. I feel so comfortable talking to him about anything. I am so glad to have him as my gastro doctor. His staff is outstanding as well. Shout out to Dr. Khan & his staff.”
Donna LaPlante · Cypress
“Dr Kahn and his staff are AWESOME. He is thorough, kind, listens and puts you at ease. The staff are patient and very helpful. I was so afraid of having a colonscopy. Dr Kahn was wonderful. My procedure went so well. It was over and done with in what seemed like a minute! So expect that! Dr Kahn is excellent, I trust him completely. And I recommend him, and his staff.”
Steph Apie · Fulshear
Related Conditions and Patient Guides
These pages explain conditions that commonly cause abdominal pain and the tests used to evaluate it.
Upper Digestive
Lower Digestive
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Patient Guides
When to see a GI doctor for abdominal pain
Stomach pain after eating
When is stomach pain serious?
Bloating and Bowel Changes
Bloating and gas
Changes in bowel habits
Upper abdominal pain causes
Abdominal Pain: Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to common questions about stomach pain and abdominal pain evaluation in Katy and Cypress.
When should I see a gastroenterologist for stomach pain?
See a gastroenterologist when stomach pain keeps returning, lasts more than a few weeks, or comes with bloating, nausea, bowel changes, weight loss or blood in the stool. Severe or sudden pain needs emergency care.
Why does my stomach hurt after eating?
Pain after meals can come from acid reflux, gastritis, ulcers, gallbladder problems, food intolerance or IBS. If it happens often, a gastroenterologist can help find the cause.
Can IBS cause recurring abdominal pain?
Yes. IBS commonly causes recurring abdominal pain linked to bowel movements, with diarrhea, constipation or both. Other conditions can cause similar symptoms, so an evaluation is important.
What tests may be used for persistent stomach pain?
Depending on your symptoms, testing may include blood or stool tests, H. pylori testing, ultrasound or CT, upper endoscopy or colonoscopy. Many patients need only some of these, or none.
Will I need an endoscopy or colonoscopy?
Not necessarily. These procedures are recommended based on your symptoms, age, risk factors and examination, not for every case of abdominal pain.
Can bloating cause abdominal pain?
Bloating and abdominal pain often occur together and can have several causes, including gas, constipation and IBS. Persistent symptoms should be evaluated.
When is stomach pain an emergency?
Call 911 for severe or sudden pain, vomiting blood, black or tarry stools, significant rectal bleeding, fainting, or a rigid, very tender abdomen.
Where can I see an abdominal pain specialist near Katy, Cypress or Fulshear?
Dr. Muhammad Ali Khan sees patients at 23920 Katy Freeway, Suite 555, Katy, TX 77494 and 21216 Northwest Freeway, Suite 640, Cypress, TX 77429. Fulshear patients usually visit the Katy office. Call (346) 340-4414 to schedule.
Need a Gastroenterology Appointment?
United Gastroenterology Associates welcomes new patients at our Katy and Cypress offices. Send a request and our team will contact you to schedule, or call (346) 340-4414.
- Board-certified gastroenterologist & hepatologist
- Most major insurance plans accepted
- Katy and Cypress locations
- Convenient access for Fulshear patients at the Katy office
- Colonoscopy and endoscopy available when clinically appropriate
Request an Appointment
Tell us how to reach you. Please do not include detailed medical information; we will discuss your symptoms when we call.
Prefer to book yourself? Use our online scheduler. Insurance coverage, benefits and patient responsibility vary by plan and should be verified before treatment or procedures. View insurance information. For a medical emergency, call 911.
Sources
- MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine. Abdominal Pain. medlineplus.gov
- Moayyedi PM, Lacy BE, Andrews CN, et al. ACG and CAG Clinical Guideline: Management of Dyspepsia. Am J Gastroenterol. 2017;112(7):988–1013. doi.org/10.1038/ajg.2017.154
This page provides general educational information and does not replace medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Symptoms should be evaluated by a qualified medical professional. For a medical emergency, call 911. Content reviewed by United Gastroenterology Associates, PLLC. Last updated September 30, 2026.