Melanosis Coli Center - Tempe, AZ
Tempe 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 Tempe * Scottsdale Gastroenterologists  Scottsdale Healthcare Gastroenterology & Endo  Scottsdale Healthcare Gastroenterology & Endo  Scottsdale Healthcare Gastroenterology & Endo  Mesa Gastrointestinal Associates  Mesa Gastrointestinal Associates  Mesa Gastrointestinal Associates  Mesa Gastrointestinal Associates  Mesa Gastrointestinal Associates  Mesa Gastrointestinal Associates  Southwest Medical Specialists  Desert Gastroenterology Associates  Central Arizona Medical Associates  Central Arizona Medical Associates  Central Arizona Medical Associates  Central Arizona Medical Associates  Advanced Care Gastroenterology PC  Advanced Gastroenterlogy PC  Oluwagbenga Serrano MD PLLC  Arizona Digestive Health PC  Arizona Digestive Health PC  Arizona Digestive Health PC  Advanced Gastroenterology of Arizona  Arizona Digestive Health PC  Liver Disease Center  Douglas J Schwartz MD Division of Arizona Digestive Health PC  Advanced Gastroenterology of Arizona  Advanced Gastroenterology of Arizona  Rekha Shah MD  Michael Altman MD  Digestive Health Center Of Arizona  Adriana T Gaidici MD  Digestive Health Center Of Arizona  Digestive Health Center Of Arizona  Digestive Health Center Of Arizona  Digestive Health Center Of Arizona  Digestive Health Center Of Arizona  East Valley Gastroenterology & Hepatology  East Valley Gastroenterology & Hepatology  East Valley Gastroenterology & Hepatology  East Valley Gastroenterology & Hepatology  East Valley Gastroenterology & Hepatology  Southeast Valley Gastroenterology  Southeast Valley Gastroenterology  Southeast Valley Gastroenterology  Southeast Valley Gastroenterology  Valley Gastroenterology  Valley Gastroenterology  Valley Gastroenterology  Daniel A Meline MD  Southwest Digestive Specialists  Larry F Pass MD  Michael S Shapiro MD PLLC  Linda I Shields MD  John M Yalam MD PC  Arizona Clinic of Gastroenterology  Arizona Gastroenterology Consultants  Clinical Associates  Clinical Associates  Arizona Gastroenterology Consultants  Associated Gastroenterologists LTD  Associated Gastroenterologists LTD  Associated Gastroenterologists LTD  Clinical Associates  Clinical Associates  Clinical Associates  Adult Gastroenterology PLLC  Desert Valley Gastroenterology  Desert Valley Gastroenterology  Desert Valley Gastroenterology  Desert Valley Gastroenterology  Mayo Clinic  Mayo Clinic  Mayo Clinic  Mayo Clinic  Mayo Clinic  Mayo Clinic  Mayo Clinic  Mayo Clinic  Mayo Clinic  Mayo Clinic  Mayo Clinic  Mayo Clinic  Mayo Clinic  Mayo Clinic  Mayo Clinic  Mayo Clinic  Mayo Clinic  Mayo Clinic  Mayo Clinic  Mayo Clinic  Mayo Clinic  Mayo Clinic  Mayo Clinic  Colon & Digestive Health Specialists  Colon & Digestive Health Specialists  Colon & Digestive Health Specialists  Colon & Digestive Health Specialists  Koppenbrink Internal Medicine  Arizona Gastroenterology & Therapeutic Endoscopy PC Tempe, ArizonaUpcoming Local Events2012-07-14
2012-07-14
2012-08-12
2012-09-09
2012-09-30
2012-10-06
2012-10-13
2012-10-13
2012-10-21
2012-11-11
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 Tempe
Nearby Tempe Hospitals *Tempe St Luke's Hospital Banner Behavioral Health Hospital Banner Desert Medical Center Scottsdale Healthcare Osborn Select Specialty Hospital Scottsdale Arizona State Hospital Desert Vista Hospital Maricopa Medical Center St Luke's Behavioral Health Center St Luke's Medical Center Youth Development Institute Los Ninos Hospital Arizona Orthopedic Surgical Hospital Arizona Heart Hospital Phoenix Children's Hospital Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center Banner Good Samaritan Rehabilitation Select Specialty Hospital Phoenix Downtown Phoenix Indian Medical Center Phoenix Memorial Health Care Center Promise Hospital of Phoenix Carl T Hayden VA Medical Center Select Specialty Hospital Phoenix St Joseph's Hospital & Medical Center Kindred Hospital Phoenix Chandler Regional Hospital Scottsdale Healthcare Shea HEALTHSOUTH Scottsdale Rehabilitation Hospital Phoenix Baptist Hospital Kindred Hospital Scottsdale Surgical Specialty Hospital of Arizona Arizona Spine & Joint Hospital John C Lincoln Hospital North Mountain Banner Gateway Medical Center Maryvale Hospital Medical Center Mercy Gilbert Medical Center Banner Baywood Medical Center Banner Baywood Heart Hospital Paradise Valley Hospital Mayo Clinic Hospital Scottsdale Healthcare Thompson Peak Banner Estrella Medical Center Banner Thunderbird Medical Center Mountain Vista Medical Center John C Lincoln Hospital Deer Valley HEALTHSOUTH Valley of the Sun Rehabilitation Hospital Arrowhead Hospital Banner Boswell Medical Center West Valley Hospital Gila River Health Care Huhukam Memorial Hospital Banner Del E Webb 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. |
Suggested Reading on Melanosis Coli by Our Doctors
-
Related Diseases & Conditions
6 articles-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
Colon Cancer
-
Medications
2 articles -
Procedures & Tests
3 articles -
Pictures, Images & Quizzes
0 articles -
Doctor's & Expert's Views
3 articles -
Health News
0 articles -
Health Features
0 articles
