What is Jaundice?

Excessive accumulation of bile pigments in the bloodstream and body tissues causes yellow to orange and sometimes even greenish discoloration of the skin, whites of the eyes, and mucous membranes. This condition is called jaundice. Jaundice is best seen in natural daylight and may not be visible under artificial lighting.

The degree of coloration depends on the concentration of bile pigment in the blood, the rate of tissue diffusion, and the absorption and binding of bilirubin by the tissue. Bilirubin enters tissue fluids and is more easily absorbed in areas of inflammation and edema. The most common mechanisms that cause jaundice are overproduction of bile by the liver, where more is produced than can be easily excreted; congenital defects that can prevent the removal of bile pigments or cause overproduction; inability of liver cells to remove bile pigments from the blood due to liver disease; bilirubin removed by the liver leaking back into the bloodstream (failure); or blockage of the bile ducts. A healthy newborn baby may develop jaundice because the liver is not fully mature. This type of jaundice usually goes away within a few weeks once the liver starts working properly. What are the causes of jaundice? Jaundice can occur when excess bilirubin accumulates in the body. This situation may occur for the following reasons.

If too many red blood cells are dying or breaking down and traveling to the liver (hemolytic jaundice.) If the liver is overloaded or damaged Bilirubin from the liver cannot move properly into the digestive tract In the above cases, jaundice is usually a sign of a problem with the liver, gallbladder, or pancreas. It can also occur due to: Infections, most commonly viruses. Use of certain medications. Cancer of the liver, bile ducts, or pancreas. Blood disorders, gallstones, birth defects, and some other medical conditions.

What are the symptoms of jaundice?

Jaundice causes the skin and whites of the eyes to appear yellow. Other symptoms may also occur along with jaundice. These are: Itching Dark urine White stools (stools the color of glazier's putty) Loss of appetite Weight loss Fever Mental changes such as fatigue or confusion Abdominal pain. 

What are the Treatment Methods for Jaundice?

Medical treatments for jaundice target the cause of jaundice. These treatments may be as follows: Hepatocellular jaundice is treated with antiviral drugs and steroids. Hemolytic jaundice is treated with iron supplements. Further examinations are performed to determine the cause of hemolytic jaundice. Obstructive jaundice is treated with surgery to relieve the obstruction, followed by medication. There is also drug-induced jaundice, that is, jaundice that occurs as a side effect of some medications. In such cases, medications are discontinued and alternative medications are prescribed.