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Urgent GI Care · Katy, TX
Urgent GI Care in Katy, TX
United Gastroenterology Associates, PLLC provides prompt outpatient care in Katy for digestive problems that need attention within a day or two but are not emergencies, such as worsening abdominal pain, vomiting or diarrhea that will not settle, a reflux flare, or a small amount of rectal bleeding that has stopped. You are seen by Muhammad Ali Khan, MD, FACP, FASGE, a board-certified gastroenterologist, at 23920 Katy Freeway, Suite 555. Same-day or next-day visits may be available. For severe or life-threatening symptoms, call 911.
Katy office · 23920 Katy Freeway, Suite 555
Meet Your GI 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
“My gastroenterology & hepatology practice is dedicated to working closely with you to develop a personalized treatment plan that meets your unique needs and preferences.”
Dr. Muhammad Ali Khan, MD, FACP, FASGE
Board-certified gastroenterologist and hepatologist, United Gastroenterology Associates
Urgent visits are with Dr. Khan, a gastroenterologist and hepatologist who is board-certified in gastroenterology, hepatology and internal medicine. Because he also performs upper endoscopy and colonoscopy, a problem found at an urgent visit can move to the right test with the same physician.
Dr. Khan is a former Associate Professor at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, has authored more than 100 peer-reviewed publications, and is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians and the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.
Often evaluated at urgent visits
- Abdominal pain and cramping
- Rectal bleeding and blood in the stool
- Reflux, gastritis and ulcer symptoms
- Vomiting and persistent diarrhea
- Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis flares
Urgent GI Visit or Emergency Room?
An urgent GI visit is for digestive symptoms that are new, worsening or disruptive but stable: you are alert, able to keep some fluids down and not bleeding heavily. An emergency room is for symptoms that could be life-threatening. United Gastroenterology Associates is a physician office, not an emergency department, so it cannot provide hospital monitoring, blood transfusion or emergency surgery.
Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room now if you have:
- Vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds
- Black, tarry stools or a large amount of blood from the rectum
- Fainting, dizziness when you stand, a racing heartbeat or confusion
- Sudden, severe abdominal pain, or a belly that is hard or very tender to touch
- Abdominal pain together with chest, neck or shoulder pain, or trouble breathing
- Repeated vomiting with a swollen belly when no stool or gas is passing
- Signs of severe dehydration, such as confusion, fainting or a fever above 102°F
If you are not sure where to go, call the office at (346) 340-4414 and the staff can guide you. Do not wait for an office appointment if you think you are having a medical emergency.
Board-Certified Gastroenterologist
Gastroenterology, hepatology and internal medicine
Prompt Appointments
Same-day or next-day visits when the schedule allows
Testing in One Practice
Upper endoscopy and colonoscopy scheduled by the same physician
Insurance & Self-Pay
Most major plans accepted; self-pay options available
What Can Be Evaluated at an Urgent GI Appointment?
Urgent GI care covers stable symptoms that should be checked soon rather than in several weeks. The goal of the visit is to find the cause, relieve symptoms and decide whether you need testing, a procedure or a different level of care.
Many patients come in after a few days of symptoms that are not improving with home care, or after a flare of a condition they already have, such as reflux, gastritis or inflammatory bowel disease. Tell the team about any warning signs when you call, because some symptoms belong in an emergency room instead.
Food that sticks when you swallow can be evaluated urgently, but if you cannot swallow your own saliva, go to the emergency room. New yellowing of the skin or eyes should also be checked promptly, and it needs emergency care when it comes with fever, chills or confusion.
Symptoms often seen at urgent GI visits
- Abdominal pain that is new, persistent or slowly getting worse
- Nausea and vomiting lasting more than a day, when you can still keep fluids down
- Diarrhea that lasts several days or causes mild dehydration
- A small amount of bright red blood on toilet paper that has stopped
- Heartburn or reflux that your usual medicine no longer controls
- Food sticking in the chest or throat when swallowing
- A flare of Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis
- Constipation with pain or bloating that home care has not helped
A symptom alone does not confirm a diagnosis. Symptoms should be evaluated by a qualified medical professional.
Need to Be Seen Soon in Katy?
Call early in the day and describe your symptoms. The team will look for the first available visit with Dr. Khan at the Katy office, and you can also ask about openings at the Cypress office.
What to Expect at an Urgent GI Visit
Most urgent visits follow the same four steps, from your first phone call to a clear plan.
Call and describe your symptoms
Tell the team what started, when, and whether you have warning signs such as bleeding or fainting. If your symptoms sound like an emergency, you will be directed to the nearest emergency room.
A focused evaluation
Dr. Khan reviews your symptoms, medical history and medications, including blood thinners and pain relievers that can irritate the stomach, and examines you.
Testing when needed
Depending on the findings, this may include blood work, stool tests, imaging, or scheduling an upper endoscopy or colonoscopy to look for the source of pain or bleeding.
A plan and follow-up
You leave with a plan, which may include medication, diet changes, a procedure date or a results visit. If hospital care is needed, the team will tell you where to go.
Common Causes of Sudden Digestive Symptoms
Sudden symptoms have many possible causes. These are conditions a gastroenterologist often evaluates on short notice.
Gastritis and Stomach Ulcers
Inflammation or sores in the stomach lining can cause burning upper abdominal pain, nausea or early fullness. Common causes include H. pylori infection and regular use of NSAID pain relievers.
Reflux Flares
Heartburn, regurgitation or pain with swallowing that suddenly gets worse can be a sign of esophagitis and may call for an upper endoscopy.
Infections and Persistent Diarrhea
Most stomach bugs pass within a few days. Diarrhea that lasts longer, contains blood or causes signs of dehydration should be evaluated.
Gallbladder Pain
Pain in the upper right abdomen after meals can come from gallstones. Pain with fever, yellowing of the skin or repeated vomiting needs emergency care.
IBD Flares
People with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis may need prompt treatment changes when diarrhea, bleeding or pain increases.
Hemorrhoids and Anal Fissures
These are common causes of bright red blood on toilet paper, but rectal bleeding should still be evaluated to rule out other causes.
For a closer look at warning signs, read when stomach pain is serious.
Follow-Up After an ER or Urgent Care Visit
Emergency rooms and urgent care centers treat the immediate problem and often advise follow-up with a gastroenterologist, for example after an episode of GI bleeding, pancreatitis, a gallbladder attack, or abdominal pain without a clear cause. A follow-up visit focuses on finding the cause and lowering the chance of another episode.
Bring your discharge papers, a list of your medications, and any imaging or lab results. If you were told to be seen within a certain number of days, mention it when you call so the team can try to schedule within that window.
Related reading: when to see a GI specialist after an ER visit for abdominal pain
Insurance and Self-Pay for Urgent Visits
United Gastroenterology Associates participates with many major insurance plans, including the carriers shown here. Coverage and benefits depend on your specific plan and must be verified. Please contact the office or your insurance carrier to verify benefits for your specific plan and visit. Patients without insurance can ask about self-pay options before the appointment.
A carrier logo does not guarantee coverage for a specific plan or service. Call (346) 340-4414 to confirm your benefits.
Urgent GI Care in Katy: Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to common questions about urgent digestive care at United Gastroenterology Associates.
Can I see a gastroenterologist today in Katy?
Often, yes. Same-day or next-day appointments may be available at the Katy office, depending on the schedule. Call (346) 340-4414 as early in the day as you can and describe your symptoms so the team can offer the first open time. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, and the last appointment is at 4:30 PM.
Is United Gastroenterology Associates an emergency room?
No. It is a gastroenterology physician office. Dr. Khan can evaluate urgent digestive symptoms when you are stable, but the office cannot provide emergency monitoring, blood transfusion or surgery. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room for heavy bleeding, vomiting blood, fainting or sudden severe abdominal pain.
Which GI doctor in Katy can evaluate rectal bleeding quickly?
Dr. Muhammad Ali Khan evaluates rectal bleeding at the Katy office. A small amount of bright red blood that has stopped can usually be assessed at a prompt office visit, and a colonoscopy may be recommended to find the source. Large amounts of blood, black tarry stools, or bleeding with dizziness need emergency care.
What should I do about severe stomach pain?
Sudden, severe abdominal pain, a hard or very tender belly, or pain with repeated vomiting should be evaluated in an emergency room. Pain that is moderate, steady or slowly getting worse, without those warning signs, can be evaluated at an urgent GI appointment.
Do I need a referral for an urgent GI appointment?
It depends on your insurance plan. Many HMO and POS plans require a referral from a primary care physician, while PPO plans usually do not. The office can help you check your plan when you call.
What should I bring to an urgent visit?
Bring your insurance card and photo ID, a list of your medications and allergies, and any recent lab results, imaging reports or emergency room discharge papers.
Can I be seen at the Cypress office instead?
Yes. Dr. Khan also sees patients at the Cypress office at 21216 Northwest Freeway, Suite 640. When you call, ask which office has the first available appointment.
Do you see urgent patients from Fulshear, Richmond and Rosenberg?
Yes. Patients from Fulshear, Richmond, Rosenberg and other West Houston communities often choose the Katy office on Katy Freeway near the Grand Parkway.
Urgent GI Care Locations in Katy and Cypress
Urgent visits are available at both offices of United Gastroenterology Associates. The Katy office is the closer choice for patients from Katy, Fulshear, Richmond and Rosenberg, and the Cypress office serves Cypress and Northwest Houston.
United Gastroenterology Associates – Katy
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)
United Gastroenterology Associates – Cypress
Northwest Freeway (US-290) in Cypress
- 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)
Get Prompt Digestive Care in Katy
If your symptoms are stable but cannot wait weeks, call the Katy office and ask for the first available visit with Dr. Khan. For a medical emergency, call 911.
Sources
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Symptoms & Causes of GI Bleeding. niddk.nih.gov
- MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine. Abdominal pain. medlineplus.gov
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Symptoms & Causes of Diarrhea. niddk.nih.gov
- HealthCare.gov. Referral. healthcare.gov
This page provides general educational information and does not replace medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Symptoms should be evaluated by a qualified medical professional. If you think you are having a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. Last updated October 5, 2026.