Dr. George Nunez, MD

Dr. George Nunez, MD Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist

Dr. George Nunez Jr., MD, is a board-certified gastroenterologist who evaluates and treats conditions affecting the digestive system and liver. His care may include assessment of persistent abdominal symptoms, acid reflux, swallowing problems, peptic ulcers, inflammatory bowel disease, abnormal liver tests, fatty liver disease, hepatitis, cirrhosis, and colorectal cancer risk.

Current professional information identifies Dr. Nunez with Houston Regional Gastroenterology Institute. He sees patients in Kingwood and provides endoscopic care through facilities in the Greater Houston area. His practice states that he is fluent in English and Spanish.

Patients may consult Dr. Nunez after developing continuing digestive symptoms, receiving abnormal laboratory or imaging results, or being advised to undergo a colonoscopy or upper endoscopy.

Seeing a gastroenterologist does not automatically mean an invasive procedure will be required. The first appointment may lead to medication, dietary guidance, laboratory testing, imaging, monitoring, endoscopy, or referral to another specialist.

About Dr. George Nunez

Dr. Nunez has provided gastrointestinal and liver care in Southeast Texas since 2002. His clinical work combines office-based digestive health assessment with endoscopic procedures used to examine the esophagus, stomach, small bowel, colon, and rectum.

His areas of care may include:

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease
• Barrett’s esophagus
• Peptic ulcer disease
• Helicobacter pylori infection
• Abdominal pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• Constipation
• Continuing diarrhea
• Gastrointestinal bleeding
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Diverticular disease
• Crohn’s disease
• Ulcerative colitis
• Colon polyps
• Colorectal cancer screening
• Fatty liver disease
• Abnormal liver function tests
• Viral hepatitis
• Cirrhosis
• Colonoscopy
• Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy

His practice specifically lists reflux, peptic ulcers, Barrett’s esophagus, colorectal cancer screening, H. pylori infection, inflammatory bowel disease, hepatitis, fatty liver disease, abnormal liver tests, and cirrhosis among the conditions for which patients commonly seek care.

Patients whose symptoms have continued despite broad dietary advice may benefit from reading why persistent gut problems need individual clinical assessment.

Education and Medical Training

Training area	Institution	Details
Medical education	University of Texas Southwestern Medical School	Doctor of Medicine, completed in 1990
Residency	George Washington University	Internal medicine, 1990 to 1993
Fellowship	University of Texas Medical Branch Hospitals	Gastroenterology, 1993 to 1995
Board certification	American Board of Internal Medicine	Gastroenterology
Primary specialty	Gastroenterology	Adult digestive and liver care

Dr. Nunez earned his medical degree from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School. He then completed an internal medicine residency at George Washington University and a gastroenterology fellowship at the University of Texas Medical Branch Hospitals.

Internal medicine residency provides broad preparation in adult healthcare, including heart disease, diabetes, kidney conditions, infection, respiratory illness, and medication management.

Gastroenterology fellowship adds advanced training in digestive diseases, liver conditions, gastrointestinal bleeding, endoscopic procedures, inflammatory bowel disease, and cancer screening.

Board Certification and Professional Credentials

Dr. Nunez is listed as certified in gastroenterology through the American Board of Internal Medicine.

His professional qualifications include:

• MD, meaning Doctor of Medicine
• Residency training in internal medicine
• Fellowship training in gastroenterology
• Board certification in gastroenterology
• Experience in digestive and liver medicine
• Experience performing endoscopic procedures
• An active Texas medical license listed through 2027

Board certification is different from medical licensing. A license permits a physician to practice medicine, while board certification reflects completed specialty training and professional assessment.

His individual National Provider Identifier is 1346229150, with gastroenterology listed as his primary specialty classification. The public NPI-derived record was updated in February 2026.

What a Gastroenterologist Does

A gastroenterologist diagnoses and treats conditions affecting the digestive system.

This system includes:

• The esophagus
• Stomach
• Small intestine
• Colon
• Rectum
• Liver
• Gallbladder
• Bile ducts
• Pancreas

Digestive symptoms can have several possible causes. For example, upper abdominal discomfort may be related to reflux, an ulcer, gallbladder disease, medication, inflammation, or another condition.

A gastroenterologist considers the full pattern rather than treating one symptom in isolation. Evaluation may include the patient’s medical history, medication, food triggers, bowel habits, laboratory findings, imaging, and previous procedures.

Abdominal Pain

Abdominal pain is one of the most common reasons for a gastroenterology appointment.

Patients may describe:

• Burning discomfort
• Cramping
• Pressure
• Sharp pain
• Pain connected with eating
• Pain relieved by a bowel movement
• Upper abdominal discomfort
• Lower abdominal discomfort
• Pain that moves into the back

Possible digestive causes include:

• Acid reflux
• Gastritis
• Peptic ulcers
• Gallbladder disease
• Pancreatic inflammation
• Constipation
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Diverticulitis
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Intestinal infection
• Bowel obstruction

The location and character of pain can provide useful clues, but they do not confirm the diagnosis by themselves.

Evaluation may include blood testing, stool testing, ultrasound, CT imaging, endoscopy, or colonoscopy depending on the patient’s symptoms.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

Gastroesophageal reflux disease, commonly called GERD, develops when stomach contents repeatedly move upward into the esophagus.

Possible symptoms include:

• Heartburn
• Burning behind the breastbone
• Sour-tasting fluid in the mouth
• Regurgitation
• Upper abdominal discomfort
• Hoarseness
• Chronic coughing
• Throat irritation
• Difficulty swallowing
• Symptoms that worsen when lying down

Occasional reflux is common, but continuing symptoms may irritate or damage the esophagus.

Treatment may involve:

• Meal-timing changes
• Avoiding individual triggers
• Medication
• Weight-related health support when appropriate
• Evaluation for another condition
• Upper endoscopy when concerning symptoms are present

Patients should mention difficulty swallowing, vomiting, unexplained weight loss, anemia, or bleeding because these findings may require more detailed assessment.

Barrett’s Esophagus

Barrett’s esophagus is a change in the tissue lining the lower esophagus. It is often associated with long-term acid reflux.

Many patients do not feel any symptom that clearly separates Barrett’s esophagus from ordinary reflux.

Diagnosis is generally made during upper endoscopy with tissue sampling.

Management may include:

• Acid-reducing treatment
• Reflux management
• Scheduled endoscopic monitoring
• Additional tissue sampling
• Treatment of precancerous changes when found

Barrett’s esophagus does not mean that cancer is already present. It does increase the importance of following the monitoring plan recommended by the gastroenterologist.

Upper Endoscopy

Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy is also called EGD.

During the procedure, a flexible camera is passed through the mouth to examine the:

• Esophagus
• Stomach
• Beginning of the small intestine

Upper endoscopy may be considered for:

• Continuing reflux
• Difficulty swallowing
• Upper abdominal pain
• Repeated vomiting
• Gastrointestinal bleeding
• Unexplained anemia
• Suspected ulcers
• Barrett’s esophagus monitoring
• Abnormal imaging
• Removal or sampling of selected abnormalities

Small tissue samples may be taken during the procedure. The patient generally receives sedation and needs someone else to provide transportation afterward.

Peptic Ulcer Disease

A peptic ulcer is an open sore in the lining of the stomach or upper small intestine.

Possible causes include:

• H. pylori infection
• Regular use of certain anti-inflammatory pain medicines
• Other medicines
• Serious illness
• Less common medical conditions

Possible symptoms include:

• Burning upper abdominal pain
• Pain when the stomach is empty
• Nausea
• Reduced appetite
• Bloating
• Black stool
• Vomiting blood
• Anemia

Treatment depends on the cause. It may include acid-reducing medicine, treatment for H. pylori, or changes to medicines that increase ulcer risk.

Patients should not stop a prescribed medicine without discussing it with the clinician who manages it.

H. Pylori Infection

Helicobacter pylori is a bacterium that can infect the stomach lining.

It may contribute to:

• Chronic gastritis
• Peptic ulcers
• Upper abdominal discomfort
• Nausea
• Certain long-term stomach complications

Testing may involve:

• Breath testing
• Stool testing
• Tissue sampling during endoscopy
• Other laboratory methods

Treatment generally uses a combination of antibiotics and acid-reducing medicine.

Follow-up testing may be needed to confirm that the infection has cleared. Patients should complete the entire treatment course unless their clinician changes the plan.

Colonoscopy

A colonoscopy uses a flexible camera to examine the colon and rectum.

It may be performed for:

• Colorectal cancer screening
• Colon polyp monitoring
• Rectal bleeding
• Continuing diarrhea
• Unexplained anemia
• Changes in bowel habits
• Abnormal imaging
• Inflammatory bowel disease monitoring
• Family history of colorectal cancer
• Follow-up after an earlier abnormal procedure

Polyps found during colonoscopy may be removed or sampled when appropriate. Removing selected precancerous polyps may prevent them from progressing.

The quality of the bowel preparation affects how clearly the colon can be examined. Patients should follow the supplied instructions carefully and contact the procedure center when part of the preparation is unclear.

Colorectal Cancer Screening

Colorectal cancer may begin as an abnormal growth called a polyp.

Screening aims to identify:

• Precancerous polyps
• Early cancer
• Abnormal bleeding
• Other colon changes before symptoms become severe

Screening choices may include stool-based testing, colonoscopy, or another test depending on age, health history, family history, and personal risk.

A positive stool test does not confirm cancer. It generally means that a colonoscopy is needed to identify the cause.

Patients should tell Dr. Nunez if a close relative has had:

• Colorectal cancer
• Advanced colon polyps
• Cancer at a young age
• A hereditary cancer syndrome
• Inflammatory bowel disease

Family history may change when screening should begin and how often it should be repeated.

Colon Polyps

Colon polyps are growths found on the inner lining of the colon.

They vary in:

• Size
• Shape
• Tissue type
• Cancer risk
• Number
• Location

Many polyps do not produce symptoms. They may be found during a routine screening colonoscopy.

After removal, the laboratory examines the tissue. The pathology result helps determine when the next colonoscopy should be completed.

Patients should keep copies of earlier colonoscopy and pathology reports. Saying only that a polyp was removed may not provide enough detail for future screening decisions.

Rectal Bleeding

Rectal bleeding may appear as:

• Bright red blood on toilet paper
• Blood coating the stool
• Blood mixed into the stool
• Dark red stool
• Black or tar-like stool

Possible causes include:

• Hemorrhoids
• Anal fissures
• Diverticular bleeding
• Colon polyps
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Infection
• Ulcers
• Colorectal cancer
• Another digestive condition

New or continuing bleeding should not automatically be blamed on hemorrhoids.

Patients with hemorrhoid symptoms may also read about high-fiber foods for piles, while following the treatment plan provided after proper assessment.

Heavy bleeding, weakness, fainting, rapid heartbeat, or black stool requires urgent medical attention.

Constipation

Constipation may involve:

• Infrequent bowel movements
• Hard stool
• Straining
• Difficulty passing stool
• A feeling of incomplete emptying
• The need for manual pressure or support

Possible contributors include:

• Low fiber intake
• Inadequate fluid intake
• Medication
• Limited physical activity
• Thyroid disease
• Pelvic floor problems
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Bowel narrowing
• Another medical condition

Treatment depends on the cause. It may include gradual fiber changes, appropriate fluid intake, medication adjustment, laxative treatment, or further testing.

A sudden major change in bowel habits, particularly with bleeding, weight loss, vomiting, or severe pain, requires medical review.

Diarrhea

Diarrhea may be short-lived or continue for several weeks.

Possible causes include:

• Infection
• Medication
• Food intolerance
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Celiac disease
• Pancreatic conditions
• Bile-related changes
• Another digestive disorder

Evaluation may include stool testing, blood work, colonoscopy, or other investigations.

Patients should report:

• Recent travel
• Antibiotic use
• Blood in the stool
• Fever
• Weight loss
• Nighttime symptoms
• Dehydration
• Illness among family members
• New medicines or supplements

Repeated diarrhea can cause dehydration and abnormal electrolyte levels, particularly in older adults and people with other medical conditions.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome, commonly called IBS, can cause abdominal pain together with constipation, diarrhea, or alternating bowel habits.

Symptoms may include:

• Cramping
• Bloating
• Urgency
• Mucus in the stool
• A feeling of incomplete emptying
• Symptoms that change after a bowel movement

IBS does not usually cause visible injury to the digestive tract, but it can significantly affect daily life.

Treatment may involve:

• Dietary adjustments
• Fiber planning
• Medication
• Stress and sleep assessment
• Treatment directed at constipation or diarrhea
• Evaluation for overlapping conditions

Patients prescribed an antispasmodic can review general information about dicyclomine and its common uses, while following their own prescription instructions.

Blood in the stool, unexplained anemia, fever, continuing nighttime symptoms, or unintended weight loss may suggest another condition and should be evaluated.

Diverticular Disease

Diverticula are small pouches that can form in the wall of the colon.

Many people have diverticulosis without symptoms. Diverticulitis develops when one or more pouches become inflamed.

Possible diverticulitis symptoms include:

• Lower abdominal pain
• Fever
• Nausea
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Abdominal tenderness

Testing may include CT imaging and blood work.

Treatment depends on symptom severity and whether an abscess, perforation, narrowing, fistula, or another complication is present.

Some patients need hospital treatment or surgical assessment, while others can be managed without an operation.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Inflammatory bowel disease includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

Possible symptoms include:

• Continuing diarrhea
• Blood in the stool
• Abdominal pain
• Urgency
• Weight loss
• Tiredness
• Fever
• Reduced appetite
• Symptoms outside the digestive tract

Diagnosis may require:

• Blood tests
• Stool inflammation testing
• Colonoscopy
• Tissue biopsies
• Small-bowel imaging
• Infection testing

Treatment may include anti-inflammatory medication, immune-modifying treatment, biologic therapy, nutrition support, or surgery in selected cases.

Patients require monitoring because inflammatory bowel disease may affect nutrition, medication safety, and colorectal cancer risk.

Fatty Liver Disease

Fatty liver disease develops when excess fat collects in liver cells.

It may be associated with:

• Type 2 diabetes
• Insulin resistance
• High cholesterol
• High triglycerides
• High blood pressure
• Sleep apnea
• Certain medicines
• Alcohol exposure
• Other metabolic conditions

Many patients have no obvious symptoms. The condition may be found after abnormal liver tests or abdominal imaging.

Evaluation may include:

• Liver blood tests
• Ultrasound
• Review of alcohol and medication
• Assessment of metabolic health
• Testing for viral hepatitis
• Noninvasive fibrosis assessment
• Additional imaging
• Liver biopsy in selected cases

The main concern is whether inflammation and scarring are developing rather than the presence of fat alone.

Abnormal Liver Tests

Liver blood tests can change for many reasons.

Possible causes include:

• Fatty liver disease
• Viral hepatitis
• Alcohol-related liver injury
• Medication or supplements
• Gallbladder or bile-duct disease
• Autoimmune conditions
• Infection
• Muscle injury
• Metabolic or inherited disease

One abnormal result may not identify the cause.

Dr. Nunez may review the pattern of test changes, previous results, medicine, supplements, imaging, alcohol exposure, and other health conditions before recommending further investigation.

Patients should mention every herbal product, bodybuilding supplement, vitamin, and nonprescription medicine because some can affect the liver.

Hepatitis

Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver.

It may result from:

• Viral infection
• Alcohol exposure
• Medication
• Autoimmune disease
• Fat accumulation
• Other conditions

Possible symptoms include:

• Tiredness
• Nausea
• Reduced appetite
• Upper-right abdominal discomfort
• Dark urine
• Pale stool
• Yellowing of the eyes or skin
• Itching

Some forms of viral hepatitis can remain present for years without clear symptoms.

The treatment and monitoring plan depends on the specific cause, level of liver injury, and whether scarring has developed.

Cirrhosis

Cirrhosis is advanced scarring of the liver.

Possible causes include:

• Long-term fatty liver disease
• Chronic viral hepatitis
• Alcohol-related liver disease
• Autoimmune liver disease
• Bile-duct disorders
• Inherited conditions

Early cirrhosis may produce few symptoms.

As liver function declines, patients may develop:

• Abdominal swelling
• Leg swelling
• Easy bruising
• Yellow skin or eyes
• Confusion
• Muscle loss
• Vomiting blood
• Black stool
• Severe tiredness

Management may include laboratory monitoring, liver imaging, endoscopy, treatment of the underlying cause, medication, nutrition assessment, and referral for transplant evaluation when appropriate.

Confusion, vomiting blood, black stool, rapidly increasing abdominal swelling, or severe weakness requires prompt medical attention.

Who May Benefit From Seeing Dr. Nunez

A gastroenterology appointment may be appropriate for adults who:

• Have continuing abdominal pain
• Experience frequent reflux
• Have difficulty swallowing
• Have repeated nausea or vomiting
• Notice blood in the stool
• Have unexplained anemia
• Need colorectal cancer screening
• Have a history of colon polyps
• Experience persistent constipation or diarrhea
• Have been diagnosed with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis
• Have abnormal liver tests
• Have fatty liver disease
• Need monitoring for hepatitis or cirrhosis
• Need another opinion about a digestive condition
• Have been advised to undergo an endoscopic procedure

What Patients Can Expect During an Appointment

The consultation generally begins with a review of symptoms, medical history, medication, family history, and previous digestive testing.

Dr. Nunez may ask:

• When did the symptoms begin?
• Where is the discomfort located?
• Are symptoms connected with meals?
• Has swallowing changed?
• Is blood present in the stool?
• Have bowel habits changed?
• Has weight changed unexpectedly?
• Has a colonoscopy or upper endoscopy been completed before?
• Is there a family history of digestive cancer?
• Have liver tests been abnormal?
• Which medicines and supplements are being taken?
• How much alcohol is used?
• Which treatments have already been tried?

The physical assessment may include:

• Abdominal examination
• Review of weight and vital signs
• Assessment for tenderness or swelling
• Examination for signs of liver disease
• Rectal examination when medically appropriate

The next step may involve laboratory testing, stool studies, imaging, medication, dietary guidance, endoscopy, colonoscopy, monitoring, or referral to another specialist.

Preparing for the Appointment

Patients can prepare by bringing:

• A complete medication list
• Medication dosages
• Supplement information
• Allergy details
• Previous colonoscopy reports
• Polyp pathology reports
• Upper-endoscopy records
• Abdominal imaging
• Liver-test results
• Hospital discharge documents
• Family history of digestive cancer
• Insurance information
• Referral documents
• Written questions

The practice asks new patients to bring identification, an insurance card, a current medication list, any required referral, completed patient forms, and a method of payment. Visits are scheduled by appointment rather than on a walk-in basis.

Questions to Ask Dr. Nunez

Patients may consider asking:

• What are the most likely causes of my symptoms?
• Are blood or stool tests needed?
• Is imaging necessary?
• Should I have a colonoscopy?
• Is upper endoscopy appropriate?
• What will the procedure look for?
• Could medication be tried first?
• Do my liver results suggest inflammation or scarring?
• Should previous pathology be reviewed?
• How often should colorectal screening be repeated?
• Which dietary changes are relevant to my diagnosis?
• Could one of my medicines be contributing?
• When should I return for follow-up?
• Which symptoms require urgent care?

Preparing for Colonoscopy or Endoscopy

Preparation depends on the procedure.

For colonoscopy, patients may receive instructions covering:

• Temporary dietary changes
• Bowel-cleansing medicine
• Timing of clear liquids
• Diabetes medication
• Blood-thinning medicine
• Transportation after sedation
• When eating can resume

For upper endoscopy, preparation may include fasting and medication instructions.

Patients should not independently stop prescription blood thinners, diabetes treatment, heart medicine, or another important drug. The gastroenterology team and prescribing clinician should provide clear instructions.

A poorly completed colon preparation may hide polyps or require the procedure to be repeated.

Practice and Appointment Information

Dr. Nunez is currently listed with Houston Regional Gastroenterology Institute.

Kingwood Office

19701 Kingwood Drive, Building 5
Kingwood, TX 77339

Office phone:
281-358-3702

The current HRGI location page identifies 19701 Kingwood Drive as its Kingwood office. An older self-published practice page still displays 201 Kingwood Medical Drive, Suite B-600. Patients should therefore confirm the exact location when scheduling or before traveling.

Endoscopy Location

Dr. Nunez’s practice states that he performs endoscopic procedures through Greater Houston facilities. Its dedicated office website specifically identifies:

Humble Kingwood Endoscopy Center
19502 McKay Drive, Suite 101
Humble, TX 77338

Patients should confirm the procedure location because an office consultation and an endoscopic procedure may occur at different addresses.

The endoscopy center may contact the patient about preparation, insurance authorization, arrival time, transportation, and medication instructions.

Hospital Affiliation

Current professional and claims-based information associates Dr. Nunez with:

• HCA Houston Healthcare Kingwood

The hospital or procedure center used may depend on the patient’s condition, insurance network, scheduling, and required level of care.

Languages and Communication

Dr. Nunez’s current practice information lists:

• English
• Spanish

His practice states that he speaks both languages fluently. Patients should confirm whether written instructions and procedure-preparation materials are available in their preferred language.

Insurance, New Patients, and Telehealth

Insurance participation may differ between the physician’s office, hospital, laboratory, imaging provider, anesthesia group, pathology laboratory, and endoscopy center.

Before scheduling, patients should ask:

• Is Dr. Nunez included in my current network?
• Is a primary care referral required?
• Is the office visit covered?
• Does colonoscopy require prior authorization?
• Is the endoscopy center in network?
• Is anesthesia billed separately?
• Is pathology billed separately?
• Are new patients currently being scheduled?
• Which records should be sent before the visit?
• Is telehealth available for this appointment?

The practice provides new-patient forms and appointment instructions, but current telehealth availability is not clearly confirmed on its official website. Patients should contact the office directly.

Abdominal tenderness, swallowing difficulty, rectal bleeding, jaundice, or symptoms requiring physical examination will generally need an in-person assessment.

When Digestive Symptoms Require Urgent Care

Patients should not wait for a routine appointment when symptoms are severe or worsening rapidly.

Urgent assessment may be needed for:

• Vomiting blood
• Black or tar-like stool
• Heavy rectal bleeding
• Fainting or severe weakness
• Severe or rapidly increasing abdominal pain
• A rigid or swollen abdomen
• Repeated vomiting
• Inability to keep fluids down
• Serious dehydration
• Difficulty swallowing with food becoming stuck
• Yellow skin or eyes with fever or pain
• Sudden confusion in a patient with liver disease
• Chest pain or major breathing difficulty
• Severe symptoms after colonoscopy or endoscopy
• Continuing heavy bleeding after a procedure

Patients may review general guidance about when immediate medical attention is necessary, but potentially life-threatening symptoms require prompt emergency assessment.