Melanosis Coli Center - Providence, RI
Providence Gastroenterologist Doctors for Melanosis ColiType of Physician: Gastroenterologist What is a Gastroenterologist? A subspecialty certification by the Board of Internal Medicine; practitioners focus on the stomach, intestines, colon, liver, and gallbladder (digestive organs). The gastroenterologist treats conditions such as abdominal pain, ulcers, diarrhea, cancer, and jaundice and they consult with surgeons when abdominal operations are indicated. Specialty: Gastroenterology Common Name: GI Doctor Gastroenterologist Doctors in Providence * Women & Infants Hospital  Women & Infants Hospital  Women & Infants Hospital  Women & Infants Hospital  University Gastroenterology  University Gastroenterology  University Gastroenterology  University Gastroenterology  University Gastroenterology  University Gastroenterology  University Gastroenterology  University Gastroenterology  University Gastroenterology  University Gastroenterology  University Gastroenterology  University Gastroenterology  University Gastroenterology  University Gastroenterology  University Gastroenterology  Gastroenterology Associates Inc  Gastroenterology Associates Inc  Gastroenterology Associates Inc  Gastroenterology Associates Inc  Gastroenterology Associates Inc  Gastroenterology Associates Inc  Gastroenterology Associates Inc  Consultants In Gastroenterology  Consultants In Gastroenterology  Consultants In Gastroenterology  Consultants In Gastroenterology  University Medical Group  University Medical Group  University Medical Group  University Medical Group  Medical Group of Rhode Island Inc  Philip J Opalenski MD  Steven B Kirschner MD  Gastrointestinal Medicine Associates Inc  Gastrointestinal Medicine Associates Inc  University Medicine Foundation  University Medicine Foundation  University Medicine Foundation  University Medicine Foundation  University Medicine Foundation  University Medicine Foundation  University Medicine Foundation  University Medicine Foundation  Gastrointestinal Medicine Associates Inc  Gastrointestinal Medicine Associates Inc  Gastrointestinal Medicine Associates Inc  Medical Group of Rhode Island Inc  Atwood Gastroenterology Services  Medical Group of Rhode Island Inc  University Gastroenterology  University Gastroenterology  University Gastroenterology  University Gastroenterology  Nikhil & Sripathi Karanth MDs  Nikhil & Sripathi Karanth MDs  Dugas Digestive Health  University Gastroenterology  University Gastroenterology  Gastroenterology Specialists Inc  Gastroenterology Specialists Inc  Gastroenterology Specialists Inc  Gastroenterology Specialists Inc Providence, Rhode IslandUpcoming Local Events2012-06-10
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Melanosis ColiRead the Melanosis Coli article » What is melanosis coli?Melanosis coli is a condition usually associated with chronic laxative use in which dark pigment is deposited in the lamina propria (one of the lining layers) of the large intestine (colon). The pigment deposition results in a characteristic dark brown to black discoloration of the lining of the large intestine. This condition is sometimes called pseudomelanosis coli because the pigment deposits consist of a pigment known as lipofuscin and do not contain melanin as implied by the term "melanosis." Lipofuscin is a cellular pigment that forms when cells are destroyed, often called "wear and tear" pigment that can be found throughout the body. The dark color of the intestinal lining may be uniform or patterned, and the discoloration may be slight or very pronounced. The intensity and pattern of the discoloration may even vary among different sites in the colon of a patient. The condition may also be reversed upon discontinuation of laxative use. In some cases, the wall of the colon appears normal to the eye, but microscopic evaluation of biopsies by a pathologist reveals areas of pigment in the colon's lining. The pigment in melanosis coli does not accumulate in polyps or tumors of the large intestine.
What are the symptoms of melanosis coli?Melanosis coli does not cause symptoms. What causes melanosis coli?Melanosis coli usually results from chronic use of laxatives of the anthranoid group. Some examples of anthranoid laxatives are senna and rhubarb derivatives. Many of these laxatives have been in use for hundreds of years. In 1997, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned the use of the popular anthranoid laxative phenolphthalein due to fears that it might be carcinogenic (cancer-causing). Animal studies had shown that extremely high doses of phenolphthalein led to tumors in animals, but it has nev... Recommended Reading Related to Melanosis ColiConstipation facts
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Nearby Providence Hospitals *Hasbro Children's Hospital Rhode Island Hospital Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island Southern New England Rehabilitation Center St Joseph Health Services Providence VA Medical Center Roger Williams Medical Center Butler Hospital The Miriam Hospital Bradley Hospital Our Lady of Fatima Hospital Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island Eleanor Slater Hospital Pastore Center Arbour-Fuller Hospital Kent Hospital Sturdy Memorial Hospital Rehabilitation Hospital of Rhode Island Landmark Medical Center Saint Anne's Hospital Charlton Memorial Hospital Taunton State Hospital Morton Hospital & Medical Center Eleanor Slater Hospital Zambarano Unit Milford Regional Medical Center Newport Hospital Boston VA Healthcare System Brockton New Bedford Rehabilitation Hospital Kindred Specialty Hospital Stoughton Caritas Good Samaritan Medical Center Day Kimball Hospital Hubbard Regional Hospital New England Sinai Hospital & Rehabilitation Center South County Hospital Caritas Norwood Hospital St Luke's Hospital Signature Healthcare Brockton Hospital Westwood Lodge Hospital Massachusetts Hospital School Kindred Specialty Hospital Braintree Kindred Specialty Hospital Natick MetroWest Medical Center Framingham Union Hospital MetroWest Medical Center Leonard Morse Hospital Whittier Rehabilitation Hospital Westborough Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital Needham Braintree Rehabilitation Hospital VA Boston Healthcare System West Roxbury Campus South Shore Hospital Milton Hospital Westborough State Hospital Featured Articles*Provider Directory Terms of Use: The WebMD 'Provider Directory' is provided by WebMD for use by the general public as a quick reference of information about Providers. The Provider Directory is not intended as a tool for verifying the credentials, qualifications, or abilities of any Provider contained therein. Inclusion in the Provider Directory does not imply recommendation or endorsement nor does omission in the Provider Directory imply WebMD disapproval. |
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