What is Jaundice : The Causes, Symptoms And Its Treatment

The yellowing of the skin and eyes caused by excess bilirubin in the blood is jaundice. The liver excretes bilirubin when red blood cells break down. Excess bilirubin buildup in the body causes jaundice.

Jaundice can affect all ages, but infants are at exceptionally high risk of developing jaundice as newborns don't have enough red blood cells yet to produce enough haemoglobin. Thus, their bodies use bile pigment (bilirubin) as an alternative source of oxygenated haemoglobin. Rely on Manipal Hospitals, Gastroenterology Hospital in Jaipur for jaundice treatment in Jaipur. Our Gastroenterology Center of Excellence deals with disorders related to the liver, intestines, stomach, pancreas, biliary tract, and oesophagus.  

How do Monsoons Spread Jaundice?

Monsoons bring relief from the summer heat. However, it also brings along bacteria, viruses, and moulds, which spread quickly during the rainy season. The damp soil and stagnant water are the breeding ground for several microorganisms that cause gastrointestinal diseases, including hepatitis which results in jaundice.

What Causes Jaundice?

When skin and the whites of your eyes turn yellow, the condition is known as jaundice. The leading causes of jaundice are:

• Hepatitis

The yellowing of the skin and eyes results from a buildup of bilirubin, a chemical byproduct of blood breakdown. Hepatitis is the most common cause of jaundice. It refers to inflammation of the liver—the organ that performs many bodily functions, including filtering toxins and producing bile. When the liver becomes inflamed, it can't do these things properly, which leads to an accumulation of bilirubin in your system.

• Liver Damage from Alcohol Abuse

Alcohol abuse causes liver damage, and the result is jaundice. When you drink alcohol, the breakdown in the liver process produces a waste product called bilirubin. This waste is released through your kidneys and into your urine. However, if you have liver damage from heavy drinking, your body can't produce enough enzymes to break down bilirubin properly. That means the bilirubin stays in your blood, turning it yellow.

• Blockage of Bile Ducts

The liver produces bile, a fluid that helps break down fats and removes toxins from your body. Bile gets stored in the gallbladder until it's needed to help digest food. It then travels through "bile ducts" to reach the small intestine. When your liver or gallbladder isn't working correctly, bile can back up in the liver and form stones or sludge that block bile flows out of your liver. If this happens, you may develop yellowing of the eyes (jaundice) because your body has trouble getting rid of bilirubin.

• Pancreatic Cancer

Cancer that originates in the pancreas blocks the bile duct and causes jaundice.

• Medicine side-effects

Certain drugs are known to cause liver diseases, resulting in jaundice.

What are the Symptoms of Jaundice?

• Yellowing of eyes

• Yellowing of the skin, especially palms and feet.

• Itching

• Fatigue 

• Loss of appetite

How to Prevent Jaundice?

• Eat a balanced diet. 

• Eat food that is rich in vitamin C and antioxidants. 

• Get plenty of rest.

• Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.

• Avoid contaminated water and food, especially during the monsoons.

Diagnosis of Jaundice

• Urine Test

A positive urine test can indicate if the patient has jaundice.

• Serum Test

Complete blood count and bilirubin levels confirm jaundice. 

• Liver Test

Doctors may conduct liver size and health tests like ultrasonography, CT scanning, and liver biopsy to determine the size and condition of the liver. To know more about the treatment, consult with our Gastroenterologist in Jaipur.

Treatment of Jaundice

The treatment of jaundice depends upon its cause. Adults usually recover with a bit of help, whereas it's infants who are more prone to jaundice. 

The treatment for jaundice may include:

• A change in diet: Avoiding certain foods or drinking more water.

• Lifestyle changes: Get proper rest and avoid stressful situations.

• Medicines include vitamin K or treatment to treat an infection that may be causing jaundice.

Gastroenterology treatments at Manipal Hospitals, Jaipur, include the entire digestive system, including the oesophagus, stomach, intestines, colon, pancreas, gall bladder, bile ducts, liver, and anus. The expert gastroenterologists at Manipal Hospitals Jaipur are known for their patient care and selfless service. If you are experiencing jaundice-like symptoms, book an appointment with us. Subscribe to the blogs by the expert doctors at Manipal Hospitals.