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