What is Jaundice? Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment
Overview
Jaundice is a condition in which the skin, sclera (whites of the eyes), and mucous membranes turn yellow due to high blood levels of bilirubin.
Jaundice can happen to people of all ages and may indicate a serious problem with the function of red blood cells, liver, gallbladder, or pancreas.
What are the causes of Jaundice?
Bilirubin is a yellow substance formed from the natural breakdown of red blood cells. The liver removes bilirubin from the blood and passes it into the bowels to be eliminated from the body. When bilirubin builds up faster than the liver can break it down, it results in Jaundice.
Jaundice can be caused due to
- Viral Hepatitis: Hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E can all cause temporary liver inflammation. Types B and C can also cause chronic inflammation.
- Alcoholic Liver Disease involves damage to the liver caused by excessive, long-term consumption of alcohol.
- Gallstones can block the bile ducts, preventing bilirubin from reaching the intestine.
- Inflammation of the gallbladder
- Gallbladder cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
- Autoimmune disorders
- Rare genetic metabolic defects
- Sickle Cell Disease
- Thalassemia
- Malaria
- Medicines such as penicillins, oral contraceptives, or anabolic steroids.
- Cholestasis of pregnancy
What causes Jaundice in Newborns?
Jaundice is very common in newborns and usually appears 2 to 4 days after the baby is born and goes away by the time a baby is 2 weeks old. In some cases, if Jaundice is not treated on time, it can lead to other health anomalies and also cause life-threatening brain damage known as kernicterus. Early detection and management of jaundice can prevent kernicterus.
A newborn is more prone to get Jaundice when the baby is:
- Born prematurely. A premature baby is more likely than others to have jaundice, as the liver may not be fully developed.
- Not getting enough breast milk.
- This is also called breast milk jaundice and happens after the first week of life.
- Born with high red blood cell numbers or a large bruise on the head.
- Born with a problem in the liver.
- Has a different blood type from the mother.
- Has a genetic problem that makes red blood cells more fragile.
- Has an infection in the blood such as sepsis.
What are the types of Jaundice?
There are three main types of jaundice:
- Hepatocellular jaundice occurs as a result of liver disease or injury.
- Hemolytic jaundice occurs as a result of hemolysis, or an accelerated breakdown of red blood cells, leading to an increase in the production of bilirubin.
- Obstructive jaundice occurs as a result of an obstruction in the bile duct. The obstruction prevents the excretion of bilirubin into the intestine. Bilirubin will then back up into the liver and subsequently into the bloodstream.
What are the Symptoms of Jaundice?
Jaundice is generally characterized by the following symptoms
- Fever
- Chills
- Abdominal pain
- Confusion
- Change in skin color
- Dark-colored urine
- Pale-colored stool
- Skin Itching
- Nausea and Vomiting
- Fatigue
- Weight Loss
- Loss of appetite
- Diarrhea
- Headache
How is Jaundice treated?
Jaundice treatment targets the cause rather than the jaundice symptoms. In newborns, phototherapy, blood exchange transfusion in a few cases, and certain drugs may reduce the bilirubin level.
Jaundice caused by obstruction of the bile ducts is often resolved by surgery to remove the blockage. Hepatocellular jaundice is treated with antiviral medications and steroids whereas Hemolytic jaundice is treated with iron supplements.
What are the tips to prevent Jaundice?
The following steps can be taken to prevent Jaundice:
- Avoid hepatitis infection
- Stay within recommended alcohol limits
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Manage cholesterol levels
- Exercise regularly
