Let us understand Jaundice, types, causes, symptoms, test and treatment because it is serious problem in the function of your red blood cells, liver, gallbladder, or pancreas. Jaundice is a medical condition which characterise by yellowish discoloration of the skin, mucous membranes and of the white of the eyes.
It is because of elevated levels of the chemical bilirubin in the blood also known as hyperbilirubinemia. Bilirubin is a yellow by-product of the daily natural breakdown and destruction of red blood cells in the liver of the body. Normally, the liver gets rid of bilirubin along with old red blood cells in the form of bile.
It is not a disease but it is a symptom of several possible underlying illnesses. Jaundice forms when there is too much bilirubin in your system. Or when there is abnormality in metabolism or production of bilirubin.
Types of jaundice: There are three main types of jaundice
Hepatocellular occurs as a result of liver disease or injury. It is occur when the liver is not able to utilize bilirubin, resulting in it accumulating in the blood.
Haemolytic jaundice occurs as a result of hemolysis, or an excessive breakdown of red blood cells, leading to an increase in production of bilirubin.
Obstructive occurs as a result of an obstruction in the bile duct. This prevents bilirubin from leaving the liver to reach the intestine. Such obstruction may be due to gallstones or to cholestasis. In cholestasis bile cannot flow from the liver to the duodenum.
Jaundice causes/ how jaundice is caused?
There is a normal process in which old or dead red blood cells travel to the liver, and get break down to form bilirubin. Bilirubin is the yellow pigment. Jaundice occurs when your liver doesn’t metabolize bilirubin the way it’s supposed to.
This condition occur when liver get damage and unable to perform this process. Sometimes, the bilirubin simply unable to go to the digestive tract, where it should be removed through the stool.
On other hand it also possible when too much bilirubin trying to enter the liver at once, or too many red blood cells dying at one time.
If there is very high bilirubin then it can leak into the surrounding tissues. This is known as hyperbilirubinemia, and it causes the yellow colour in the skin and eyes.
Jaundice in adults
Alcohol abuse
Liver infection
Liver cancer or Cirrhosis (scarring of the liver, usually due to alcohol)
Gallstones (cholesterol stones made of hardened fat material or pigment stones made of bilirubin)
Swelling of the liver leads to Hepatitis
Pancreatic cancer
Parasites in the liver, which can block the excretion or removal of bilirubin from the body
Blood disorders, such as haemolytic anaemia (the rupture or destruction of red blood cells that lead to a decreased amount of red blood cells
Jaundice in newborns
Babies who are born prematurely may develop excess of bilirubin because their livers haven’t fully developed yet.
Jaundice symptoms
Depend upon the cause of jaundice individuals may experience different symptoms. It characterise by a yellow discoloration of the skin to varying degrees and of the white of the eyes. Individuals with jaundice may experience any of the following signs and symptoms:
Pale-colour stools
Dark-colour urine
Itching of skin
Vomiting and nausea
Rectal bleeding
Diarrhoea,
Fever and chills
Weakness and weight loss
Loss of appetite,
Abdominal pain and headache
Swelling of the legs, and the abdomen due to the accumulation of fluid
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What is the bilirubin test?
This test is to measures the total bilirubin level (unconjugated and conjugated bilirubin). Bilirubin level can be check in blood, urine and amniotic fluid. In addition, newborns can be scan with a device to check bilirubin levels.
Jaundice in children or new-born
Jaundice is a common problem in new-born babies. The reason behind is liver is still in the developing stage, and the bilirubin does not get flushed out of the body regularly. The level of bilirubin usually goes down in two weeks after birth.
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In children it can occur due to several reasons like
Weak liver, liver inflammation, or any liver infection
Inflammation or obstruction of the bile duct prevents removal of bilirubin
Haemolytic anaemia increases the breakdown of red blood cells, causing jaundice
Gilbert’s Syndrome, a condition that impacts normal functioning of enzymes, prevents disposal of bile from the body
Cholestasis is a condition during which passage of bile is prevented, resulting in excess bilirubin accumulation in the liver
Medical conditions such as malaria, sickle cell anaemia, thalassemia, hereditary spherocytosis, and a genetic syndrome called Crigler-Najjar syndrome can cause pre-hepatic jaundice
Viral hepatic infections like hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C can cause haemolytic jaundice
Read also: Bad liver conditions means Hepatitis
Jaundice treatment
Treatment for this disease depends on the underlying cause. Treatments may include the following:
IV fluids in cases of dehydration,
Medications for nausea/vomiting and pain,
Antibiotics and antiviral medications,
Blood transfusions,
Steroids and chemotherapy/radiation therapy, and
Phototherapy for new-borns
Self-Care at Home for Jaundice
Maintain adequate hydration by drinking fluids, and rest as needed
Take medications only as instructed and prescribed by a doctor
Avoid medications, herbs, or supplements which may cause detrimental side effects.
Avoid drinking alcohol
Provide adequate milk intake for the baby in cases of breastfeeding jaundice
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