Melanosis Coli Center - Suffolk, VA
Suffolk 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 Suffolk * Lakeview Medical Center Inc  Lakeview Medical Center Inc  Gastrointestinal & Liver Specialists of Tidewater PLLC  Gastrointestinal & Liver Specialists of Tidewater PLLC  Gastrointestinal & Liver Specialists of Tidewater PLLC  Gastrointestinal & Liver Specialists of Tidewater PLLC  Gastrointestinal & Liver Specialists of Tidewater PLLC  Joseph B Hollis MD  Gastroenterology Associates  Gastroenterology Associates  Gastroenterology Associates  Gastroenterology Associates  Gastroenterology Associates  Gastroenterology Associates  Eastern Virginia Medical School  Gastroenterology & Hepatology Nutrition  Gastroenterology Associates of Tidewater PC  Gastroenterology Associates of Tidewater PC  Gastroenterology Associates of Tidewater PC  Gastroenterology Associates of Tidewater PC  Gastroenterology Associates of Tidewater PC  Gastroenterology Associates of Tidewater PC  Gastroenterology Associates of Tidewater PC  Peninsula Gastroenterology PC  Peninsula Gastroenterology PC  Peninsula Gastroenterology PC  Peninsula Gastroenterology PC  Peninsula Gastroenterology PC  Peninsula Gastroenterology PC  Marechal-Neil Brooks MD  Colonial Gastroenterology  Colonial Gastroenterology  Port Warwick Internal Medicine  Colonial Gastroenterology  Colonial Gastroenterology  Gastroenterology Specialists Inc  Hampton Roads Gastroenterology PC  Hampton Roads Gastroenterology PC  Hampton Roads Gastroenterology PC  Hampton Roads Gastroenterology PC  Hampton Roads Gastroenterology PC  Gastroenterology Consultants  Gastroenterology Consultants  Digestive & Liver Disease Specialists  Digestive & Liver Disease Specialists  Digestive & Liver Disease Specialists  Digestive & Liver Disease Specialists  Digestive & Liver Disease Specialists  Digestive & Liver Disease Specialists  Digestive & Liver Disease Specialists  Digestive & Liver Disease Specialists  Gastroenterology Consultants  Gastroenterology Consultants  Gastroenterology Consultants  Family Medical Practitioners  Williamsburg Gastroenterology  Williamsburg Gastroenterology  Gastroenterology Ltd  Center for Health & Cancer Prevention  Gastroenterology Ltd  Gastroenterology Ltd  Gastroenterology Ltd  Gastroenterology Ltd  Gastroenterology Ltd  Gastroenterology Ltd  Gastroenterology Ltd  Internal Medicine Associates  Emporia Medical Associates  Richmond Gastroenterology Associates Inc  Richmond Gastroenterology Associates Inc  Eastern Shore Physicians & Surgeons  MCV Physicians  VCU Children's Medical Center  MCV Physicians  MCV Physicians  MCV Physicians  VCU Children's Medical Center  Drs Latham & Latham  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  Richmond Gastroenterology Associates Inc  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  John Michaels MD Suffolk, VirginiaUpcoming Local Events2012-06-17
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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 Suffolk
Nearby Suffolk Hospitals *Sentara Obici Hospital Southampton Memorial Hospital Bon Secours Maryview Medical Center Sentara Norfolk General Hospital Children's Hospital of The King's Daughter Harbour Pointe Medical Center & Rehabilitation Center Chesapeake General Hospital Riverside Rehabilitation Institute Bon Secours DePaul Medical Center Lake Taylor Transitional Care Hospital The Barry Robinson Center Sentara Leigh Hospital Riverside Regional Medical Center Hampton VA Medical Center Riverside Behavioral Health Center Sentara CarePlex Hospital Sentara Bayside Hospital Mary Immaculate Hospital Roanoke-Chowan 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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