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Dr. Michael Richard Waters, MD, PhD is a radiation oncologist in Saint Peters, MO specializing in radiation oncology. He graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Medicine in 2019 and has 6 years of experience. Dr. Michael Richard Waters, MD, PhD is affiliated with Barnes-Jewish St. Peters Hospital, WashU Medicine, BJC HealthCare, Barnes-Jewish Hospital, Washington University in St. Louis (WUSTL), WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY PHYSICIANS IN ILLINOIS, INC and WashU Medicine.
Barnes-Jewish Hospital
Gastrointestinal Problems (Digestive Disorders)
The gastrointestinal system, or GI tract, is the name given to a collection of organs that work together to digest food. These organs fit together in a long tube, running from the mouth to the anus, and include the esophagus, stomach, and intestines, among others. With so many parts working together, complicated by today's busy lifestyles and diets, digestive problems are common. As many as 1 in 3 Americans have a digestive or GI disorder. There are a huge variety of digestive problems, but the most common are IBS, constipation, GERD, hemorrhoids, and ulcers.
IBS, or irritable bowel syndrome, happens when the muscles surrounding the colon contract too easily or frequently. The result is abdominal pain, cramps, diarrhea or constipation, gas and bloating. IBS attacks can often be brought on by specific triggers, so a key part of treatment is learning which foods trigger IBS attacks and avoiding them. Treatment also includes exercise, avoiding stress, and medications if needed.
Constipation, or large, hard, or infrequent stools, happens to everyone at some point. It can be caused by a disruption in routine or food, or by eating a diet without many fresh fruits and vegetables. Although it is uncomfortable, constipation is common and usually not serious, but it can sometimes become chronic. Adding fiber to the diet, exercising, and taking medications may help.
GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease, is a severe form of chronic heartburn where stomach acid spills back up into the esophagus. Left untreated, the acid may even eat away at the esophagus and cause serious damage. Treatment includes changing the diet to avoid trigger foods, losing weight if needed, medications, or even surgery.
Hemorrhoids are blood vessels around the rectum that become irritated, swollen or torn while straining during a bowel movement. They are most often caused by constipation, but can also be caused by pregnancy, diarrhea, or simply a genetic predisposition towards hemorrhoids. Treatment involves first treating any constipation issues, then keeping the area clean and soothed until it has healed. If these measures are ineffective, surgery is sometimes used.
Peptic ulcers are sores or spots of inflammation in the lining of the stomach or close to the stomach in the small intestine. Usually this area is coated with a protective lining that shields the tissue from the strong stomach acid, but a break in the lining can let acid in, causing the sores. It used to be thought that stress caused ulcers, but now it is known that is not the case. Most often, they are caused by an infection by H. pylori bacteria, but ulcers can also be caused by alcohol abuse or overuse of aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, or other NSAIDS. The symptoms of an ulcer are pain, hunger, nausea, and fatigue.
Gastrointestinal problems, perhaps more than any other area, are markedly affected by lifestyle. Many disorders can be prevented or treated at least in part by eating a healthy diet high in fiber, exercising regularly, drinking enough water, and limiting alcohol intake. Still, the frequency of digestive disorders means that even the healthiest person can be affected by them. Anyone who notices blood in their stool, experiences abdominal pain, unexplained weight loss, or any significant change in bowel movements should see a doctor.
Dr. Michael Richard Waters, MD, PhD graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Medicine in 2019. He completed residency at Washington University Medical Center in St. Louis. He has a state license in Missouri.
Medical School: Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Medicine (2019)
Residency: Washington University Medical Center in St. Louis
Licensed In: Missouri
Dr. Michael Richard Waters, MD, PhD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:
Dr. Michael Richard Waters, MD, PhD appears to accept the following insurance providers: CIGNA Flexcare, MultiPlan, MHBP, United Healthcare Select Plus, United Healthcare Select, United Healthcare PPO, United Healthcare POS, Great-West Healthcare Open Access, United Healthcare EPO, United Healthcare Choice Plus, United Healthcare Choice, Blue Choice, Aetna QPOS, Great-West Healthcare POS, Great-West Healthcare PPO, Health Alliance HMO, Aetna Open Access HMO, Great-West Healthcare HMO, Rockport Healthcare Group, Hannibal Regional PHO, Aetna Medicare HMO, TRICARE, Decatur Memorial Hospital, Coventry, Anthem, Best Doctors, Aetna Managed Choice POS, Aetna Select, Aetna Choice POS, Aetna HMO, CIGNA Open Access POS, Aetna US Access, CIGNA Open Access Plus HMO, Aetna National Advantage Program, Coventry HMO, CIGNA Network, CIGNA PPO, MO HealthNet, CIGNA POS, CIGNA HMO, CorVel, CIGNA EPO, Aetna Medicare PPO, Aetna Open Access Managed Choice, Aetna Open Access Elect Choice, Aetna Choice POS II, AARP, Medicare Advantage, TriWest, Blue Cross Blue Shield Missouri - Regular or Traditional, CoxHealth, Coventry PPO, Coventry National Network PPO, USA Managed Care Organization, Health Alliance POS, Health Alliance PPO, United Healthcare, United Healthcare Navigate, Medicare, Medicaid, Quality Health Management, Humana, Cigna, Molina Healthcare, First Health, HealthLink PPO, Beech Street, HealthLink POS, HealthLink Open Access, HealthLink HMO, Aetna Elect Choice, HFN, United Healthcare Community Plan (AmeriChoice), Community Partners Health Plans, CIGNA Open Access Plus POS, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois, CIGNA Network Open Access, CIGNA PPO Plus, Private Healthcare Systems (PHCS), Care Management Resources (CMR), Mercy Health Springfield Communities, Aetna Affordable Health Choice PPO, Advantra Option 1 HMO/POS (Aetna Medicare), Union Pacific Railroad Employee Health System, Freedom Plus PPO-Missouri (Aetna Medicare), Aetna CVS Health (MO Marketplace Exchange), Freedom PPO-Missouri (Aetna Medicare), Aetna Open Choice (PPO), Aetna Medicare Open Access POS, Health Alliance Medicare POS, Kansas Advantra Freedom PPO (Aetna Medicare), VA HealthCare Choice Program, BJC Center of Excellence - Consociate Health, Verify Insurance Acceptance With Practice, Illinois Department of Public Aid (IDPA/HFS), Advantra Silver HMO (Aetna Medicare), Advantra PPO (Aetna Medicare), Essence Advantage HMO, Meridian (Illinois Department of Public Aid), Health Alliance (IL Marketplace Exchange), HealthScope Benefits, Inn (Orscheln Industries Health Plan), Gold Advantage (Aetna Medicare), Aetna Health Network, Essence Advantage Select HMO, Advantra Complete PPO Illinois (Aetna Medicare), Aetna Health Network Option, BJC HealthSolutions, Aetna Medicare Open Access HMO, Health Alliance Medicare HMO, Advantra Option 2 HMO (Aetna Medicare), Essence Advantage Plus HMO and Gold Dual Core HMO Missouri (Aetna Medicare).
According to our sources, Dr. Michael Richard Waters, MD, PhD accepts the following insurance providers:
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Dr. Michael Waters is a radiation oncology specialist in Saint Peters, MO and Saint Louis, MO. Areas of particular interest for Dr. Waters include gastrointestinal problems (digestive disorders), gamma knife radiosurgery, and stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT). Dr. Waters studied medicine at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Medicine. He is affiliated with WashU Medicine, Barnes-Jewish St. Peters Hospital, and Barnes-Jewish Hospital.
