Melanosis Coli Center - Spring Valley, NV
Spring Valley 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 Spring Valley * Robert M Yeh MD  Great West Medical Associates  Great West Medical Associates  Great West Medical Associates  Gastroenterology Associates  Gastroenterology Associates  Southwest Medical Associates Gastroenterology  Southwest Medical Associates Gastroenterology  Enrique J Lacayo MD  Yakov D Shaposhnikov MD  Laura G Gitlin MD  J Julian Lopez MD  Center for Colon & Digestive Diseases  Center for Colon & Digestive Diseases  Nicolae Weisz MD  Gastroenterology Associates  Gastroenterology Associates  Digestive Disease Specialists  Deb Mukhopadhyay MD  California Pacific Medical Center Gastroenterology  Luis A Tupac MD  Digestive Disease Specialists  Digestive Disease Specialists  Gilberto DeLaTorre MD  Uday R Saraiya MD  Howard M. Hack, M.D.-Nevada P.C.  Digestive Disease Specialists  Digestive Associates  Digestive Associates  Digestive Associates  Digestive Associates  Digestive Associates  El Dorado Medical Center  South Hills Gastroenterology LLP  South Hills Gastroenterology LLP  Desert Gastroenterology Associates  Gastroenterology & Hepatology Institute of Nevada  Arumugam Sivakumar MD  Desha Frankel MD  Mahendra Defonseka MD  Specialty Medical Center Spring Valley, NevadaUpcoming Local Events2012-06-09
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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 Spring Valley
Nearby Spring Valley Hospitals *Montevista Hospital Red Rock Behavioral Health Hospital Spring Valley Hospital Medical Center Rawson Neal Psychiatric Hospital Kindred Hospital Las Vegas Sahara Campus Desert Willow Treatment Center Southern Hills Hospital & Medical Center HEALTHSOUTH Rehabilitation Hospital of Las Vegas St Rose Dominican Hospital San Martin Campus University Medical Center Valley Hospital Medical Center Horizon Specialty Hospital Sunrise Hospital & Medical Center Summerlin Hospital Medical Center HEALTHSOUTH Hospital at Tenaya Desert Springs Hospital Medical Center Harmon Medical & Rehabilitation Hospital Kindred Hospital Las Vegas at Desert Springs Hospital Kindred Hospital Las Vegas Flamingo Campus MountainView Hospital Progressive Hospital North Vista Hospital St Rose Dominican Hospitals Siena Campus HEALTHSOUTH Henderson Rehabilitation Hospital Mike O'Callagan Federal Hospital St Rose Dominican Hospitals Rose de Lima Campus Boulder City 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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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
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Colon Polyps
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Laxatives for Constipation
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Colon Cancer Prevention
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