Melanosis Coli Center - Sandy Springs, GA
Sandy Springs 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 Sandy Springs * Christopher D Sarzen MD PC  Kaiser Permanente  Kaiser Permanente  Gastroenterology Atlanta LLC  Metro Atlanta Gastroenterology LLC  Gastroenterology Consultants PC  Gastroenterology Consultants PC  Metro Atlanta Gastroenterology LLC  Metro Atlanta Gastroenterology LLC  Lee Oberman MD PC  Gastroenterology Consultants PC  Metro Atlanta Gastroenterology LLC  Metro Atlanta Gastroenterology LLC  Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates LLC  Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates LLC  Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates LLC  Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates LLC  Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates LLC  Gastroenterology of North Georgia  Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates LLC  Kathryn Mettler MD  Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates LLC  Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates LLC  Comprehensive Gastroenterology  Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates LLC  Mario E Ravry MD & Mario J R Ravry MD  Cynthia S Rudert MD  Gastroenterology & Nutrition Clinic PC  Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates LLC  Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates LLC  Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates LLC  Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates LLC  Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates LLC  Emory University Digestive Diseases  The Emory Clinic Gastroenterology  The Emory Clinic Gastroenterology  The Emory Clinic Gastroenterology  The Emory Clinic Gastroenterology  The Emory Clinic Gastroenterology  The Emory Clinic Gastroenterology  North Atlanta Gastroenterology PC  Gastric Health Institute  Thomas J Demarco MD  Alpharetta Gastroenterology Associates PC  Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates LLC  Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates LLC  Consultative Gastroenterology  Del Mazo Medical Services  Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates LLC  Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates LLC  Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates LLC  Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates LLC  Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates LLC  Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates LLC  Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates LLC  Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates LLC  Consultative Gastroenterology  Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates LLC  Northeast Atlanta Associates Gastroenterology  Dekalb Gastroenterology Associates  Dekalb Gastroenterology Associates  Dekalb Gastroenterology Associates  Atlanta Center for Gastroenterology  Dekalb Gastroenterology Associates  Atlanta Digestive Center LLC  Atlanta Center for Gastroenterology  Atlanta Center for Gastroenterology  Dekalb Gastroenterology Associates  Gastrointestinal Specialists of Georgia PC  Gastrointestinal Specialists of Georgia PC  Gastrointestinal Specialists of Georgia PC  Gastrointestinal Specialists of Georgia PC  Gastrointestinal Specialists of Georgia PC  Gastrointestinal Specialists of Georgia PC  Gastrointestinal Specialists of Georgia PC  Gastrointestinal Specialists of Georgia PC  Gastrointestinal Specialists of Georgia PC  Gastrointestinal Specialists of Georgia PC  Gastrointestinal Specialists of Georgia PC  Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates LLC  Gastroenterology Specialists of Dekalb  Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates LLC  Richard Chernecky MD  Gastroenterology Specialists Gwinnett PC  Gastroenterology Specialists Gwinnett PC  Bennett H Bruckner MD  Johns Creek Gastroenterology  Southern Gastroenterology Associates LLC  Southern Gastroenterology Associates LLC  Southern Gastroenterology Associates LLC  Southern Gastroenterology Associates LLC  Westside Gastroenterology Associates  Gastrointestinal Specialists of Georgia PC  Gastrointestinal Specialists of Georgia PC  Yoon J Lee MD  Gastrointestinal Specialists of Georgia PC  Gastrointestinal Specialists of Georgia PC  Gastrointestinal Specialists of Georgia PC  Atlanta South Gastroenterology  Atlanta South Gastroenterology Sandy Springs, GeorgiaUpcoming 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 Sandy Springs
Nearby Sandy Springs Hospitals *Children's Healthcare at Scottish Rite Northside Hospital Saint Joseph's Hospital of Atlanta Peachford Behavioral Health System of Atlanta Wellstar Windy Hill Hospital Piedmont Hospital Shepherd Center Wesley Woods Geriatric Hospital Ridgeview Institute Emory Adventist Hospital Atlanta VA Medical Center Hillside Hospital Children's Healthcare at Egleston Emory University Hospital North Fulton Regional Hospital Laurel Heights Hospital Wellstar Kennestone Hospital Kindred Hospital Atlanta DeKalb Medical Center Emory University Hospital Midtown Select Specialty Hospital Atlanta Atlanta Medical Center DeKalb Medical Grady Health System Gwinnett Medical Center Duluth Wellstar Cobb Hospital Devereux Georgia Treatment Network Glancy Rehabilitation Center Emory Johns Creek Hospital Georgia Regional Hospital at Atlanta Regency Hospital of South Atlanta South Fulton Medical Center DeKalb Medical Center at Hillandale Emory Eastside Medical Center Gwinnett Medical Center Anchor Hospital Northside Hospital Forsyth SummitRidge Center for Psychiatry & Addiction Medicine Northside Hospital Cherokee Southern Regional Medical Center Wellstar Douglas Hospital Inner Harbour Hospitals Wellstar Paulding Hospital Rockdale Medical Center Henry Medical Center Cartersville Medical Center Piedmont Fayette Hospital Tanner Medical Center Villa Rica 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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Related Diseases & Conditions
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Colon Cancer
- Colon cancer is a malignancy that arises from the inner lining of the colon. Most, if not all, of these cancers develop from colonic polyps. Removal of these precancerous polyps can prevent colon cancer.
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Constipation
- Constipation is defined medically as fewer than three stools per week and severe constipation as less than one stool per week. Constipation usually is caused by the slow movement of stool through the colon. There are many causes of constipation including medications, poor bowel habits, low fiber diets, abuse of laxatives, hormonal disorders, and diseases primarily of other parts of the body that also affect the colon.
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Abdominal Pain
- Abdominal pain is pain in the belly and can be acute or chronic. Causes include inflammation, distention of an organ, and loss of the blood supply to an organ. Abdominal pain can reflect a major problem with one of the organs in the abdomen such as the appendix, gallbladder, large and small intestine, pancreas, liver, colon, duodenum, and spleen.
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Colon Polyps
- A colon polyp is a benign tumor of the large intestine. Benign polyps do not invade nearby tissue or spread to other parts of the body. Benign polyps can easily be removed during colonoscopy and are not life threatening. If benign polyps are not removed from the large intestine, they can become malignant over time.
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Laxatives for Constipation
- Laxatives for treatment of constipation include over-the-counter preparations such as bulk-forming laxatives, stool softeners, lubricant laxatives, stimulant laxatives, saline laxatives, enemas and suppositories. Some over-the-counter laxatives are not recommended for patients with specific diseases or conditions. Some laxatives may have negative adverse effects if taken over long periods of time.
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Colon Cancer Prevention
- Colo-rectal cancer is both curable and preventable if it is detected early and completely removed before the cancerous cells metastasize to other parts of the body. Colonoscopy and flexible sigmoidoscopy (along with digital rectal examination and stool occult blood testing) are both effective at preventing colo-rectal cancers and detecting early colo-rectal cancers.
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Colon Cancer
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