Dr. Ronald M. Rance, MD

Dr. Ronald M. Rance, MD Gastroenterologist and Digestive Care

Dr. Ronald M. Rance, MD, is a gastroenterologist with additional training in internal medicine. His clinical work centres on disorders affecting the oesophagus, stomach, intestines, liver, and other parts of the digestive system. Public professional profiles associate him with GI Specialists of Houston, LLP, and list experience in colonoscopy, upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, digestive bleeding, inflammatory bowel disease, swallowing difficulties, H. pylori infection, and hepatitis care.

Patients may seek his care for persistent abdominal symptoms, changes in bowel habits, reflux, unexplained digestive bleeding, or preventive colorectal cancer screening. A gastroenterology consultation can also help when symptoms have continued despite basic treatment or when a primary care doctor recommends a more specialised assessment.

About Dr. Ronald M. Rance

Dr. Rance provides specialist care for adults with digestive system concerns. Gastroenterology covers conditions involving the oesophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon, rectum, liver, gallbladder, bile ducts, and pancreas.

His public profile identifies particular clinical interests in:

• Colitis
• Crohn’s disease
• Colon cancer screening
• Colonoscopy
• Dysphagia
• H. pylori infection
• Hepatitis and hepatitis C
• Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy
• Acute gastrointestinal bleeding

These areas involve both preventive care and the investigation of active symptoms. Some patients see a gastroenterologist because they need routine screening, while others require help understanding pain, bleeding, swallowing trouble, diarrhoea, constipation, or abnormal test results.

Dr. Rance’s work falls within the broader area of gastroenterology and digestive health services, where treatment decisions are based on the patient’s symptoms, medical history, examination, laboratory findings, imaging, and endoscopic results.

Professional Background

Dr. Rance has worked in medicine for several decades. Public provider records list gastroenterology and internal medicine as his professional specialties and associate him with GI Specialists of Houston, LLP. His National Provider Identifier is 1033237235.

Internal medicine training provides a broad foundation in adult health, including chronic disease, medication management, preventive care, and the assessment of symptoms that may involve several body systems. Gastroenterology fellowship training adds focused experience in digestive diseases and procedures such as colonoscopy and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy.

This combination may be helpful when digestive symptoms are connected with other health concerns. For example, abdominal discomfort may sometimes be affected by medication, infection, inflammation, metabolic disease, or another ongoing medical condition.

Education and Medical Training

Training Area	Institution	Details
Medical education	Sapienza University of Rome	Medical degree completed in 1978
Residency	Jewish Hospital and Medical Center of Brooklyn, now associated with Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center	Internal medicine residency completed in 1982
Fellowship	The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center	Gastroenterology fellowship completed in 1984
Board credential	American Board of Internal Medicine	Board certification listed on his public professional profile

Dr. Rance received his medical education from Sapienza University of Rome. He later completed residency training in Brooklyn before undertaking fellowship training in gastroenterology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

A gastroenterology fellowship normally builds on internal medicine training. It prepares a doctor to evaluate digestive symptoms, manage chronic gastrointestinal conditions, interpret specialised tests, and perform endoscopic procedures.

Board Certification and Professional Credentials

Dr. Rance is listed as certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine. His professional title, MD, means Doctor of Medicine.

Board certification is different from medical licensing. A medical licence permits a doctor to practise within a particular jurisdiction, while board certification shows that the doctor has completed specified training and assessment requirements within a medical specialty.

Patients who need formal confirmation for insurance, referral, or credentialing purposes should verify current details with the clinic and the relevant professional board.

Digestive Conditions Dr. Rance May Evaluate

Digestive symptoms can have many possible causes. Some are temporary and improve with simple care, while others require laboratory testing, imaging, endoscopy, or long-term treatment.

Acid Reflux and Upper Digestive Symptoms

Acid reflux occurs when stomach contents move upward into the oesophagus. Patients may experience heartburn, a sour taste, chest discomfort after eating, coughing, hoarseness, or symptoms that become worse when lying down.

A specialist assessment may be useful when reflux happens frequently, causes swallowing problems, interferes with sleep, or continues despite appropriate treatment.

Upper digestive symptoms may also be related to:

• Gastritis
• Peptic ulcers
• Oesophageal inflammation
• Hiatal hernia
• H. pylori infection
• Medication side effects
• Swallowing disorders

An upper gastrointestinal endoscopy may be considered when the doctor needs to examine the lining of the oesophagus, stomach, and first part of the small intestine.

Dysphagia and Swallowing Difficulty

Dysphagia means difficulty swallowing. A patient may feel that food is slow to pass, becomes stuck, or causes discomfort when moving down the throat or chest.

Swallowing problems should not be ignored when they continue or become worse. Evaluation may involve reviewing the types of food that cause trouble, how long the symptoms have been present, whether weight has changed, and whether reflux or chest discomfort is also present.

Testing may include endoscopy, imaging, or other studies that assess the structure and movement of the oesophagus.

Colitis and Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Colitis refers to inflammation of the colon. The cause may be temporary, infectious, medication-related, or connected with a chronic inflammatory condition.

Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are the two main forms of inflammatory bowel disease. They may cause:

• Ongoing diarrhoea
• Abdominal cramping
• Rectal bleeding
• Urgency
• Fatigue
• Reduced appetite
• Unplanned weight loss

Treatment is personalised because the location and severity of inflammation can differ from one patient to another. Care may involve medication, nutrition support, laboratory monitoring, imaging, and periodic colonoscopy.

Patients with continuing symptoms may benefit from understanding why ongoing gut problems require personalised assessment rather than relying only on general dietary advice.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome can cause abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhoea, constipation, or alternating bowel patterns. Symptoms may be influenced by food, stress, sleep, medication, and changes in intestinal movement.

IBS does not cause the same visible inflammation associated with inflammatory bowel disease. However, its symptoms can still interfere with work, school, sleep, and daily activities.

Before diagnosing IBS, a doctor may need to consider other explanations, particularly when a patient has bleeding, anaemia, fever, weight loss, persistent vomiting, or a strong family history of digestive disease.

Patients taking antispasmodic medication can review this guide to dicyclomine use and IBS safety before discussing medication choices with their healthcare professional.

H. Pylori Infection

Helicobacter pylori, commonly called H. pylori, is a type of bacteria that can infect the stomach lining. It may contribute to gastritis and peptic ulcers.

Testing may involve:

• A breath test
• A stool test
• A blood test in selected situations
• A biopsy collected during endoscopy

When treatment is needed, it usually involves a combination of medicines. Follow-up testing may be recommended to confirm that the infection has cleared.

Hepatitis and Liver Concerns

Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver. It may be caused by viruses, medication, alcohol, immune conditions, or other health problems.

A digestive specialist may review abnormal liver tests, hepatitis screening results, medication use, imaging findings, and symptoms such as fatigue, nausea, abdominal discomfort, dark urine, or yellowing of the skin or eyes.

Not every abnormal liver result means that a patient has hepatitis. Additional testing is often required to understand the cause and determine whether treatment or monitoring is needed.

Gastrointestinal Bleeding

Digestive tract bleeding may be visible or hidden. Possible signs include blood in the stool, very dark stool, vomiting blood, unexplained anaemia, weakness, or dizziness.

The investigation depends on the likely source of bleeding. A doctor may recommend blood tests, colonoscopy, upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, imaging, or another specialised procedure.

Heavy bleeding, fainting, severe weakness, or vomiting blood requires urgent medical attention rather than a routine office appointment.

Colon Cancer Screening and Colonoscopy

Colonoscopy allows a doctor to examine the inside of the colon using a flexible instrument with a small camera. It may be performed for routine colorectal cancer screening or to investigate symptoms.

Common reasons for colonoscopy include:

• Preventive colorectal cancer screening
• A personal history of colon polyps
• A family history of colorectal cancer
• Rectal bleeding
• Persistent changes in bowel habits
• Unexplained iron-deficiency anaemia
• Chronic diarrhoea
• Inflammatory bowel disease monitoring
• Abnormal results from another screening test

During the procedure, the doctor may identify inflammation, bleeding, polyps, or other changes. Some polyps can be removed during the same examination and sent for laboratory analysis.

The quality of bowel preparation matters because stool remaining in the colon can hide small abnormalities. Patients should follow the clinic’s preparation instructions carefully and ask for clarification when any step is unclear.

Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy is used to examine the oesophagus, stomach, and upper small intestine.

It may be recommended for:

• Persistent upper abdominal pain
• Difficulty swallowing
• Repeated nausea or vomiting
• Suspected ulcers
• Gastrointestinal bleeding
• Long-term reflux with concerning symptoms
• Unexplained anaemia
• Follow-up of an earlier abnormal finding

The doctor may collect small tissue samples during the examination. A biopsy does not automatically mean cancer is suspected. Samples may also help identify inflammation, infection, coeliac disease, or other changes.

Patients should ask whether they need to stop eating, adjust medication, arrange transport, or temporarily change medicines that affect bleeding.

Who May Benefit From Seeing Dr. Rance

A gastroenterology appointment may be appropriate for patients whose symptoms have lasted longer than expected or have not improved with basic care.

Reasons to seek an evaluation may include:

• Frequent heartburn or reflux
• Continuing abdominal pain
• Difficulty swallowing
• Persistent diarrhoea
• Ongoing constipation
• Blood in the stool
• Unexplained anaemia
• Abnormal liver tests
• Repeated nausea or vomiting
• Suspected inflammatory bowel disease
• A need for colorectal cancer screening
• A history of colon polyps
• A positive stool screening test
• A family history of colorectal cancer
• Unexplained weight loss with digestive symptoms

A consultation may also be helpful for patients seeking a second opinion about a diagnosis, medication plan, endoscopy result, or proposed procedure.

What Patients Can Expect During an Appointment

The appointment will usually begin with a review of symptoms and medical history. The doctor may ask when the problem started, whether symptoms are connected with meals, and whether bowel habits have changed.

Patients may also be asked about:

• Previous digestive diagnoses
• Current medications and supplements
• Food-related symptoms
• Alcohol and tobacco use
• Earlier abdominal surgery
• Family history of digestive disease
• Previous colonoscopy or endoscopy results
• Recent laboratory or imaging findings
• Unplanned weight changes
• Blood in the stool
• Recent travel or infection

A physical examination may include checking the abdomen for tenderness, swelling, or other findings. Depending on the concern, the next step may be laboratory testing, imaging, endoscopy, medication, dietary changes, or monitoring.

The presence of symptoms does not automatically mean that a procedure is needed. A gastroenterologist decides which tests are useful after considering the complete clinical picture.

Preparing for the Consultation

Patients can prepare by bringing:

• A current medication list
• Allergy information
• Recent blood test results
• Imaging reports
• Previous endoscopy or colonoscopy reports
• Pathology or biopsy results
• A list of earlier treatments
• A record of symptom patterns
• Family history information
• Insurance and referral documents
• Written questions

A short symptom diary may be particularly useful. It can record when pain occurs, which foods were eaten, how often bowel movements happen, and whether there is bleeding, bloating, diarrhoea, or constipation.

Patients should not stop prescribed medication before the appointment unless a healthcare professional has told them to do so.

Questions to Ask Dr. Rance

Useful questions may include:

• What are the likely causes of my symptoms?
• Which tests are necessary?
• Do I need a colonoscopy or upper endoscopy?
• Are there alternatives to the proposed test?
• How should I prepare for the procedure?
• Should any medicines be adjusted?
• What are the possible risks?
• Will a biopsy be taken?
• When should I expect the results?
• What symptoms require urgent care?
• Will I need long-term follow-up?
• Could diet or medication be affecting my symptoms?

Patients should ask for medical terms to be explained when something is unclear. Understanding the reason for a test or treatment can make it easier to follow the care plan.

Languages and Communication

Public professional information lists English, Spanish, and Italian among the languages spoken by Dr. Rance. Patients should confirm language support directly with the clinic when arranging an appointment.

Patients who prefer another language may ask whether an interpreter can be arranged. Bringing translated medication lists or previous records may also make the consultation easier.

Practice and Appointment Information

Public provider records associate Dr. Rance with GI Specialists of Houston, LLP. One listed practice address is:

1900 North Loop West, Suite 390
Houston, TX 77018
Phone: 713-694-6066

Another public CMS-based listing provides the number 832-708-2686 for the same North Loop location. Because provider contact information can change, patients should confirm the correct number and appointment location before travelling.

His public profiles have also listed affiliations with hospitals within the Memorial Hermann and HCA Houston Healthcare systems. Hospital participation can change, so patients planning a procedure should confirm which facility is currently used.

Online appointment booking was not shown as available through the reviewed Zocdoc profile. Patients may need to contact the practice directly.

Insurance and Payment Information

CMS-derived provider information indicates that Dr. Rance accepts Medicare assignment. Other public profiles list several commercial insurance companies, but individual plans and network agreements can change.

Before an appointment or procedure, patients should confirm:

• Whether the doctor is in network
• Whether the facility is also in network
• Whether a referral is required
• Whether prior authorisation is needed
• How pathology and anaesthesia are billed
• What deductible or coinsurance may apply

Insurance approval for a consultation does not always mean every laboratory, facility, anaesthesia, or pathology charge will be covered in the same way.

When Digestive Symptoms Need Urgent Care

Patients should seek urgent medical assessment rather than waiting for a routine appointment when they have:

• Heavy rectal bleeding
• Vomiting blood
• Black, sticky stool with weakness
• Severe or rapidly worsening abdominal pain
• A hard or swollen abdomen
• Repeated vomiting with inability to keep fluids down
• Fainting or severe dizziness
• Sudden confusion
• Yellow skin with severe illness
• Difficulty swallowing that prevents eating or drinking

These symptoms can have several causes and require prompt assessment. Emergency services or the nearest emergency department should be used when symptoms are severe or life-threatening.

Profile Accuracy

This profile has been written from publicly available professional, hospital, provider-registration, and clinical-directory information. Details that could not be reliably confirmed, including current telehealth availability and new-patient status, have not been stated as facts.

Readers can review the Doctiplus editorial policy for information about the site’s approach to medical accuracy and patient-focused writing.

Doctiplus also maintains a list of trusted healthcare information resources used when preparing educational medical content.