Melanosis Coli Center - Richmond, VA
Richmond 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 Richmond * MCV Physicians  MCV Physicians  MCV Physicians  MCV Physicians  VCU Children's Medical Center  VCU Children's Medical Center  Drs Latham & Latham  Richmond Gastroenterology Associates Inc  Gastrointestinal Specialists Inc  Gastrointestinal Specialists Inc  Richmond Gastroenterology Associates Inc  Richmond Gastroenterology Associates Inc  Gastrointestinal Specialists Inc  Gastrointestinal Associates of Virginia Inc  Peter Goodman MD  Gastrointestinal Specialists Inc  Gastrointestinal Specialists Inc  Gastrointestinal Specialists Inc  Gastrointestinal Specialists Inc  Gastrointestinal Specialists Inc  Richmond Gastroenterology Associates Inc  Richmond Gastroenterology Associates Inc  Pediatric Gastroenterology of Richmond, PC  Gastrointestinal Specialists Inc  Gastrointestinal Specialists Inc  Independent Associates PC  Independent Associates PC  Gastrointestinal Specialists Inc  Richmond Gastroenterology Associates Inc  Gastrointestinal Specialists Inc  Gastrointestinal Specialists Inc  Richmond Gastroenterology Associates Inc  Richmond Gastroenterology Associates Inc  Richmond Gastroenterology Associates Inc  Richmond Gastroenterology Associates Inc  Richmond Gastroenterology Associates Inc  Richmond Gastroenterology Associates Inc  Richmond Gastroenterology Associates Inc  Richmond Gastroenterology Associates Inc  Gastrointestinal Specialists Inc  John Michaels MD  Gastroenterology Associates of Fredericksburg  Gastroenterology Associates of Fredericksburg  Gastroenterology Associates of Fredericksburg  Gastroenterology Associates of Fredericksburg  Pratt Medical Center Specialty Care  Fall Hill Gastroenterology Associates MAHA  Fall Hill Gastroenterology Associates MAHA  Fall Hill Gastroenterology Associates MAHA  Center Virginia Surgical Center  Center Virginia Surgical Center  Horace J Jackson MD  Williamsburg Gastroenterology  Williamsburg Gastroenterology  Emporia Medical Associates  Internal Medicine Associates  Colonial Gastroenterology  Colonial Gastroenterology  Associates In Gastroenterology  Associates In Gastroenterology  Associates In Gastroenterology  Associates In Gastroenterology  Samuel Pasternack MD  Lakeview Medical Center Inc  Lakeview Medical Center Inc  Peninsula Gastroenterology PC  Peninsula Gastroenterology PC  Peninsula Gastroenterology PC  Peninsula Gastroenterology PC  Peninsula Gastroenterology PC  Peninsula Gastroenterology PC  Colonial Gastroenterology  Port Warwick Internal Medicine  Colonial Gastroenterology  Tri-County Gastroenterology  Blue Ridge Gastroenterology  Paul I Miller MD  M Hossein Razavi MD  Houshang Makipour MD  Kok S Lee MD PC  Charlottesville Gastroenterology  Charlottesville Gastroenterology  Charlottesville Gastroenterology  Charlottesville Gastroenterology  Charlottesville Gastroenterology  Gastroenterology Specialists Inc  Hampton Roads Gastroenterology PC  Hampton Roads Gastroenterology PC  Hampton Roads Gastroenterology PC  Hampton Roads Gastroenterology PC  Hampton Roads Gastroenterology PC  Digestive Health Center of Excellence at U VA  Digestive Health Center of Excellence at U VA  Digestive Health Center of Excellence at U VA  Digestive Health Center of Excellence at U VA  Digestive Health Center of Excellence at U VA  Digestive Health Center of Excellence at U VA  Digestive Health Center of Excellence at U VA  Digestive Health Center of Excellence at U VA  Gastrointestinal & Liver Specialists of Tidewater PLLC Richmond, VirginiaUpcoming Local Events2012-06-02
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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
Other Related Melanosis Coli ArticlesEmergency Contact for Richmond
Nearby Richmond Hospitals *VCU Medical Center Bon Secours Richmond Community Hospital Children's Hospital Retreat Doctor's Hospital Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center HEALTHSOUTH Rehabilitation Hospital of Virginia Bon Secours St Mary's Hospital CJW Medical Center Chippenham Campus Bon Secours Memorial Regional Medical Center Sheltering Arms Rehabilitation Hospital Henrico Doctors' Hospital Stony Point Surgery Center Parham Doctors' Hospital CJW Medical Center Johnston-Willis Campus Bon Secours St Francis Medical Center Hallmark Youth Care John Randolph Medical Center Central State Hospital Hiram W Davis Medical Center Poplar Springs Hospital Cumberland Hospital for Children & Adolescents Southside Regional Medical Center 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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