Melanosis Coli Center - West Hartford, CT
West Hartford 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 West Hartford * Prime HealthCare PC - Gastroenterology/Internal Medicine  Prime HealthCare PC - Gastroenterology/Internal Medicine  Prime HealthCare PC - Gastroenterology/Internal Medicine  Prime HealthCare PC - Gastroenterology/Internal Medicine  Prime HealthCare PC - Gastroenterology/Internal Medicine  CT Gastroenterology Associates PC  CT Gastroenterology Associates PC  CT Gastroenterology Associates PC  CT Gastroenterology Associates PC  CT Gastroenterology Associates PC  Eastern Connecticut Gastroenterology Assoc LLC  Daniel Marshall & Oksana Kloyzner MDs  The Carole & Ray Neag Comprehensive Cancer Center  University of Connecticut Health Center Gastroenterology Clinic  University of Connecticut Health Center Gastroenterology Clinic  University of Connecticut Health Center Gastroenterology Clinic  University of Connecticut Health Center Gastroenterology Clinic  University of Connecticut Health Center Gastroenterology Clinic  Connecticut GI PC  Connecticut GI PC  Connecticut GI PC  Bristol Gastroenterology Associates PC  Connecticut GI PC  Connecticut GI PC  Connecticut GI PC  Connecticut GI PC  Connecticut GI PC  Stone & Goldenberg LLP  Connecticut GI PC  Stone & Goldenberg LLP  Connecticut GI PC  Connecticut GI PC  Connecticut GI PC  Connecticut GI PC  Connecticut GI PC  Connecticut GI PC  Stone & Goldenberg LLP  Ashanti Medical Associates LLC  Digestive Disease Consultants PC  Digestive Disease Consultants PC  Digestive Disease Consultants PC  Digestive Disease Consultants PC  CT Gastroenterology Associates PC  Grove Hill Medical Center Gastroenterology  Connecticut GI PC  Central Connecticut Gastroenterology LLC  Ralph A Giarnella MD  Bristol Gastroenterology Associates PC  Bristol Gastroenterology Associates PC  Bristol Gastroenterology Associates PC  Digestive Disease Center Connecticut  Digestive Disease Center Connecticut  Digestive Disease Center Connecticut  Gastroenterology Specialists PC  Gastroenterology Specialists PC  Gastroenterology Specialists PC  Connecticut GI PC  Klipstein Medical Group  Digestive Health Specialists  Digestive Health Specialists  Gastroenterology Associates of Manchester  Janet B Dickinson MD  Middlesex Gastroenterology Assoc  Middlesex Gastroenterology Assoc  Middlesex Gastroenterology Assoc  Middlesex Gastroenterology Assoc  Middlesex Gastroenterology Assoc  Middlesex Gastroenterology Assoc  Middlesex Gastroenterology Assoc  ECHN Health Services  Drs Competiello & Rivera-Competiello  Springfield Medical Associates  Naugatuck Valley Gastroenterology Consultants  Litchfield County Gastroenterology Associates LLC  Litchfield County Gastroenterology Associates LLC  Litchfield County Gastroenterology Associates LLC  Litchfield County Gastroenterology Associates LLC  Litchfield County Gastroenterology Associates LLC  David Delucia & Hector Pun MDs  Ronald A Zlotoff MD  Naugatuck Valley Gastroenterology Consultants  Naugatuck Valley Gastroenterology Consultants  Eduardo G Mari MD  Naugatuck Valley Gastroenterology Consultants  Broadway Medical Group LLC  ECHN Health Services  Gerald Fette MD  Connecticut Gastroenterology Consultants PC  Connecticut Gastroenterology Consultants PC  Beacon Falls Medical Associates  Beacon Falls Medical Associates  Gastroenterology Center of New England  Martin E Gordon MD  Gastroenterology of New Haven LLC  Digestive Disease Associates  Digestive Disease Associates  Digestive Disease Associates  Digestive Disease Associates  Melchinger Street Rosenthal & Breier MD  Connecticut Gastroenterology Consultants PC West Hartford, ConnecticutUpcoming 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 ColiWhat is flexible sigmoidoscopy?Flexible sigmoidoscopy is a procedure that allows your doctor to examine the rectum and the lower (sigmoid) colon. The flexible sigmoidoscope is a flexible tube 60 cm long and about the thickness of your little finger. It is inserted gently into the anus and advanced slowly into the rectum and the lower colon. It is an accurate and simple method of investigating the cause of rectal bleeding, change in bowel habit, and rectal symptoms such as pain and diarrhea. Flexible sigmoidoscopy also is a part of colon screening and surveillance for colon cancer. What is the preparation for flexible sigmoidoscopy?In order to obtain accurate results, the rectum and the lower colon must be completely clean of stool. Your doctor will give you detailed instructions on how to cleanse your colon. In general, this requires the use of one or two enemas prior to the procedure and may also call for a laxative and some dietar... Other Related Melanosis Coli ArticlesEmergency Contact for West Hartford
Nearby West Hartford Hospitals *St Francis Hospital & Medical Center Connecticut Children's Medical Center The Hospital at Hebrew Healthcare Hartford Hospital Institute of Living Hartford Hospital University of Connecticut Health Center John Dempsey VA Connecticut Healthcare System Newington Campus Mount Sinai Rehabilitation Hospital St Francis Care Hospital Mount Sinai Campus Cedarcrest Hospital Hospital for Special Care The Hospital of Central Connecticut New Britain Campus Veterans Home & Hospital Rocky Hill Manchester Memorial Hospital Bristol Hospital MidState Medical Center Middlesex Hospital The Hospital of Central Connecticut Bradley Campus Riverview Hospital for Children & Youth Rushford Center Connecticut Valley Hospital Rockville General Hospital Charlotte Hungerford Hospital Hungerford Emergency & Medical Care St Mary's Hospital Gaylord Hospital Masonic Healthcare Center Waterbury Hospital Johnson Memorial Hospital Western Massachusetts Hospital Noble Hospital Weldon Rehabilitation Hospital Mercy Medical Center Baystate Medical Center Shriners Hospital for Children Kindred Hospital Park View Windham Community Memorial Hospital Natchaug Hospital Providence Hospital HEALTHSOUTH Rehabilitation Hospital of Western Massachusetts Holyoke Medical Center Hospital of St Raphael Connecticut Mental Health Center Yale-New Haven Hospital Yale-New Haven Psychiatric Hospital Griffin Hospital VA Connecticut Healthcare System West Haven Campus Wing Memorial Hospital & 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
- 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
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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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