Jaundice

What is Jaundice?

It is a condition that leads to a yellowish appearance of the skin, eyes or mucus membrane. The yellow color originates from the presence of bilirubin, a byproduct of outdated RBCs (red blood cells).

The disease is also known by the name “Icterus”.

What Causes Jaundice?

The condition arises due to presence of excess bilirubin in the bloodstream. Bilirubin is a yellow-colored chemical in the hemoglobin that transports oxygen in the red blood cells. This happens when

  • The liver, which is responsible for removing bile from the bloodstream, is damaged or overloaded in some way
  • An excess of decomposed or dead red blood cells reach the liver
  • The bilirubin in unable to properly move through the digestive tract

An excess of bilirubin can result in the development of Jaundice. The condition may also arise due to a problem in vital organs, such as pancreas, gallbladder or liver. Doctors also believe the disorder to arise due to

  • Cancers
  • Blood disorders
  • Birth defects
  • Use of certain drugs

Jaundice Symptoms

The symptoms of Jaundice may develop over a period or arise suddenly. Some of the most common signs of this disease include:

  • Yellowish appearance of the skin
  • Yellowish appearance of the sclera (whites of the eyes)
  • Yellowish appearance of the inside of the mouth
  • Clay-colored or pale appearance of stools
  • Brown or dark-colored urine

In case of a severe Jaundice, the sclera may appear as brown. It is to be noted that the abnormal color of eyes are the first physical symptoms that doctors look for during diagnosis.

Jaundice Diagnosis

The diagnosis of Jaundice initially begins with a physical examination of the sufferer, which may help reveal an inflammation of the liver. A Bilirubin Blood Test is the standard medical examination for this condition.

Other tests may include

  • Liver biopsy tests
  • Liver function tests
  • Abdominal CT scan
  • Abdominal Ultrasound
  • Complete Blood Count (CBC), to detect anemia or low blood count

Jaundice Treatment

The treatment of Jaundice depends on the cause of the condition as well as associated possible complications. Once the cause is diagnosed, treatment should address it immediately. Medical cure may involve blood transfusions, antiviral medications, steroids and antibiotics. Medicines may also be used to relieve pain, nausea and vomiting.

Patients should also be administered with supportive care. In case of dehydration, intravenous (IV) fluids may be used. Newborns should be treated with phototherapy. If a cancerous cause is suspected, radiation therapy or chemotherapy may be required.

Jaundice Home Remedies

The condition can be cured and managed at home with the help of certain remedies like:

  • Avoiding consumption of alcohol and other beverages as much as possible
  • Drinking plenty of water and other natural fluids to maintain hydration
  • Avoiding supplements, herbs and medications that may produce detrimental effects

Jaundice Surgery

In some cases, patients of this condition require a surgical treatment to achieve a recovery. Surgical cure is required in cases like,

  • Underlying cancerous conditions
  • Gallstones
  • Congenital malformations
  • Abnormalities of the spleen

In some patients, the liver is found to be damaged enough to be unable to remove bilirubin. In such cases, a liver transplant may be required.

Jaundice Diet

A proper diet may also help a patient recover faster from this disorder. It is necessary to put a Jaundice patient on a diet comprising of the juice of only fruits and vegetables like grapes, oranges, beets and carrots for a whole week. This should be followed up with a fruit-only diet consisting of only apples, grapes, pears and pineapples. However, bananas should be strictly avoided. Patients should drink at least 8 glasses of water every day to flush toxins out of their system.

Jaundice Prognosis

The outcome of the condition depends on its underlying cause. Some disorders can easily be managed and have a good prognosis. Others, however, may turn chronic and need lifelong supervision by an experienced physician. Unfortunately, certain conditions resulting in jaundice may turn life-threatening despite surgical or medical intervention.

Jaundice Recovery Time

The time for recovery from Jaundice differ from one patient to another. In healthy individuals, however, the condition may take anywhere from two to ten weeks to resolve completely. In case of Jaundice in children, recovery is usually faster than in adults. Patients with this disease who are undergoing liver transplant may take about 12 weeks to recover.

Jaundice Prevention

In some cases, the occurrence of this condition can be prevented by following preventive measures like:

  • Avoiding intake of excess alcohol
  • Using medicines to prevent malaria
  • Maintaining good hygiene
  • Avoiding possibly contaminated resources of water
  • Using vaccines for Hepatitis A, B and C
  • Avoiding use of drugs that may give rise to Hemolysis

 

If you are suffering from Jaundice symptoms, immediately get in touch with your health care provider. If you are diagnosed with the condition, discuss its prognosis with your doctor. Follow the treatment approach that is best suited to address and resolve the disease. You should closely follow the treatment regimen and recommendations of your physician to achieve a fast recovery.