Melanosis Coli Center - Wilmington, NC
Wilmington 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 Wilmington * Hanover Medical Specialists PA Gastroenterology  Hanover Medical Specialists PA Gastroenterology  Hanover Medical Specialists PA Gastroenterology  Hanover Medical Specialists PA Gastroenterology  Hanover Medical Specialists PA Gastroenterology  Wilmington Gastroenterology Associates  Wilmington Gastroenterology Associates  Wilmington Gastroenterology Associates  Wilmington Gastroenterology Associates  Wilmington Gastroenterology Associates  Wilmington Gastroenterology Associates  Wilmington Gastroenterology Associates  Coastal Gastroenterology  Jacksonville Digestive Disease Clinic  East Carolina Gastroenterology PA  Kinston Digestive Diseases  Eastern Carolina Internal Medicine  Joseph A Saracino MD  Kinston Medical Specialists  Ikechukwu Ibegbu MD  Southeastern Gastroenterology  Digestive Disease Center  Southern Gastroenterology  Southern Gastroenterology  Southern Gastroenterology  Eastern Carolina Internal Medicine  Fayetteville Gastroenterology Associates  Fayetteville Gastroenterology Associates  Fayetteville Gastroenterology Associates  Fayetteville Gastroenterology Associates  Fayetteville Gastroenterology Associates  Fayetteville Gastroenterology Associates  Fayetteville Gastroenterology Associates  Cape Fear Center for Digestive Diseases PA  Cape Fear Center for Digestive Diseases PA  Cape Fear Center for Digestive Diseases PA  Cape Fear Center for Digestive Diseases PA  Cape Fear Center for Digestive Diseases PA  Owen Drive Surgical  Dunn Gastroenterology  Johnston Gastroenterology  Neuse Gastroenterology PA Wilmington, North CarolinaUpcoming Local Events2012-06-16
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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 Wilmington
Nearby Wilmington Hospitals *New Hanover Regional Medical Center Cape Fear Hospital Dosher Memorial Hospital Pender Memorial Hospital Brunswick Community 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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Colon Polyps
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Laxatives for Constipation
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Colon Cancer Prevention
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