A hesitancy shared by many people to speak about gastrointestinal problems – even with their physicians – means many are living with discomfort that can be alleviated, a principal reason why Parrish Medical Group (PMG) in Titusville has added a gastrointestinal specialist who makes understanding his patients’ concerns the focal point of his practice.

Dr. Khalid George, a board-certified and fellowship-trained gastroenterologist, has joined PMG to treat patients dealing with digestive disorders that include heartburn, gallstones, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), pancreatitis, ulcers, and more.

According to a national survey by Harris Interactive, 74% of Americans regularly suffer from episodes of digestive distress. That figure totals nearly 450,000 Brevard County residents.

Dr. George says that digestive problems are common, but most people are embarrassed to talk about them even with their primary care providers. Instead, they live with ongoing conditions that adversely affect quality of life, or worse.

“Even the most common digestion problems, like bloating, diarrhea, and cramping, can indicate more serious underlying diseases,” says Dr. George. “Ignoring problems doesn’t make them go away. In fact, something like treating heartburn yourself with over-the-counter medicine can, overtime, mask heart disease or even esophageal cancer.

“Our treatment goals are to improve people’s lives by giving them relief whenever possible and to keep minor problems from becoming serious issues,” Dr. George said. “I enjoy working with patients in a way that gives them confidence in their treatment and a willingness to share with me whatever it is with which they are dealing.”

Dr. George completed internal medicine residency at Henry Ford Hospital |Wayne State University, completed GI fellowship at providence-providence park |Michigan State University. He received his medical education at St. George’s University School of Medicine and undergraduate at University of Toronto. “Gastroenterology services are important to have close to home, delivered by a physician with excellent credentials in whom patients can have trust,” said Dr. George.

Dr. George’s experience includes treating inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s Disease and ulcerative colitis, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), and pancreatic and liver disease.  He is a proponent and provider of colon cancer screening, the third most common cancer in both men and women in the United States.

Dr. George and Parrish Medical Group are accepting new patients. Dr. George’s practice is located at 825 Century Medical Drive, Suite A in Titusville. To schedule an appointment, call (321) 268-6224. The website is parrishmedgroup.com