Melanosis Coli Center - Thornton, CO
Thornton 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 Thornton * Bruce J Weber DO  Rocky Mountain Gastroenterology Associates  Rocky Mountain Gastroenterology Associates  Rocky Mountain Gastroenterology Associates  Rocky Mountain Gastroenterology Associates  Rocky Mountain Gastroenterology Associates  Rocky Mountain Gastroenterology Associates  Colorado Gastroenterology  Colorado Gastroenterology  Salomon G Garcia MD  Kaiser Permanente  Mile High Gastroenterology PC  Colorado Gastroenterology  Colorado Gastroenterology  Colorado Gastroenterology  National Jewish Health  Rocky Mountain Gastroenterology Associates PLLC  Rocky Mountain Gastroenterology Associates PLLC  Rocky Mountain Gastroenterology Associates PLLC  Rocky Mountain Gastroenterology Associates PLLC  Rocky Mountain Gastroenterology Associates PLLC  Rocky Mountain Gastroenterology Associates PLLC  Summit Gastroenterology  Denver Digestive Health Specialists  Denver Digestive Health Specialists  Denver Digestive Health Specialists  Denver Digestive Health Specialists  Rocky Mountain Gastroenterology Associates  Rocky Mountain Gastroenterology Associates  Rocky Mountain Gastroenterology Associates  Rocky Mountain Gastroenterology Associates  Rocky Mountain Gastroenterology Associates  Rocky Mountain Gastroenterology Associates  Gastroenterology of the Rockies  Gastroenterology of the Rockies  Gastroenterology of the Rockies  Gastroenterology of the Rockies  Gastroenterology of the Rockies  Gastroenterology of the Rockies  Front Range Gastroenterology Associates PC  University Hospital Colorado Hepatology  David Rothman DO  University Hospital Colorado Hepatology  University Hospital Colorado Hepatology  University Hospital Colorado Hepatology  University of Colorado Health Science Center Gastroenterology  Jesse O Sutherland Jr. MD  Arapahoe Gastroenterology PC  Arapahoe Gastroenterology PC  Arapahoe Gastroenterology PC  Arapahoe Gastroenterology PC  South Denver Gastroenterology PC  South Denver Gastroenterology PC  South Denver Gastroenterology PC  South Denver Gastroenterology PC  South Denver Gastroenterology PC  South Denver Gastroenterology PC  South Denver Gastroenterology PC  South Denver Gastroenterology PC  South Denver Gastroenterology PC  South Denver Gastroenterology PC  South Denver Gastroenterology PC  South Denver Gastroenterology PC  South Denver Gastroenterology PC  South Denver Gastroenterology PC  Rocky Mountain Gastroenterology Associates  Rocky Mountain Gastroenterology Associates  Rocky Mountain Gastroenterology Associates  Rocky Mountain Gastroenterology Associates  Rocky Mountain Gastroenterology Associates  George S L Chin MD  James Riopelle DO  The Schreiber Clinic PC  Gastroenterology of the Rockies  Gastroenterology of the Rockies  Arapahoe Gastroenterology PC  Arapahoe Gastroenterology PC  Arapahoe Gastroenterology PC  Arapahoe Gastroenterology PC  Front Range Gastroenterology Associates PC  Boulder Medical Center  Boulder Medical Center  Longmont Clinic & Carbon Valley Medical Center  SurgOne PC National Bariatric Center  Gastroenterology Associates  Gastroenterology Associates  Gastroenterology Associates  Gastroenterology Associates  Steven O Kading MD  Greeley Medical Clinic Gastroenterology  North Colorado Gastroenterology  North Colorado Gastroenterology  Center for Gastroenterology PC  Center for Gastroenterology PC  Center for Gastroenterology PC  Center for Gastroenterology PC  Center for Gastroenterology PC  Center for Gastroenterology PC  Center for Gastroenterology PC  Center for Gastroenterology PC Thornton, ColoradoUpcoming Local Events2012-06-03
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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 Thornton
Nearby Thornton Hospitals *North Suburban Medical Center North Valley Hospital St Anthony North Hospital Exempla Saint Joseph Hospital Kindred Hospital Denver Presbyterian St Luke's Medical Center Select Specialty Hospital Denver Exempla Lutheran Medical Center Exempla Good Samaritan Medical Center Exempla West Pines Hospital Colorado Acute Hospital St Anthony Central Hospital National Jewish Medical and Research Center Denver Health Medical Center Denver VA Medical Center Rose Medical Center University of Colorado Hospital Denver Centennial Peaks Hospital Avista Adventist Hospital University of Colorado Hospital Aurora Anschutz Medical Campus Platte Valley Medical Center The Children's Hospital Spalding Rehabilitation Hospital The Medical Center of Aurora North Campus Triumph Hospital Aurora Porter Adventist Hospital Select Specialty Hospital Denver South Craig Hospital The Medical Center of Aurora South Campus Swedish Medical Center Colorado Mental Health Institute at Fort Logan Boulder Community Foothills Hospital Boulder Community Hospital Littleton Adventist Hospital Centennial Medical Plaza Highlands Behavioral Health System Longmont United Hospital Parker Adventist Hospital Sky Ridge 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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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
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Colon Polyps
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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
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