Jaundice
What is Jaundice?
Jaundice is a medical condition characterized by yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes. This yellow discoloration is caused by an excess of bilirubin in the blood. Bilirubin is a yellow pigment produced during the normal breakdown of red blood cells. Typically, the liver processes bilirubin and excretes it in bile, which then passes through the body through the stool. However, if there is an excess of bilirubin or the liver becomes overwhelmed, a condition called hyperbilirubinemia occurs, which results in jaundice.
What are the types of jaundice?
Types of jaundice are categorized based on the stage at which the liver processes bilirubin. They include:
- Pre-hepatic jaundice: This occurs before the blood reaches the liver. Health conditions that increase the rate of red blood cell breakdown cause an overflow of bilirubin into bodily tissues.
- Hepatic jaundice occurs when liver tissue becomes less effective at filtering bilirubin from the blood.
- Post-hepatic jaundice happens after the liver filters bilirubin but cannot drain properly into the bile ducts or digestive tract due to a blockage, preventing it from being passed out of the body.
What are the causes of jaundice?
The causes of jaundice can be categorized based on where they occur within the process of bilirubin metabolism and excretion:
Pre-hepatic (Haemolytic) Causes
These causes lead to an increased breakdown of red blood cells, resulting in excessive bilirubin production:
- Haemolytic anemia
- Sickle cell disease
- Thalassemia
- Malaria
- Hereditary spherocytosis
Hepatic Causes
These causes involve liver damage or dysfunction, impairing the liver's ability to process and excrete bilirubin:
- Viral hepatitis (A, B, C, D, and E)
- Alcoholic liver disease
- Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
- Cirrhosis
- Liver cancer
Post-hepatic Causes
These causes involve obstructions in the bile ducts, preventing bilirubin from being excreted:
- Gallstones
- Bile duct cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
- Pancreatitis
Symptoms of jaundice
The symptoms of jaundice can vary depending on the underlying cause and the rate of bilirubin buildup. The primary and most recognizable symptom is yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes. Other symptoms to watch for include:
- Fever
- Stomach pain
- Chills
- Dark urine
- Tar- or clay-coloured stools
- Flu-like symptoms
- Itchy skin
- Weight loss
- Unusual irritability
- Confusion
- Abnormal drowsiness
- Easy bruising or bleeding
- Bloody vomit
When to see a doctor
Jaundice indicates an excess of bilirubin in your blood, but the underlying cause can vary widely.
Doctors diagnose jaundice by determining whether your body has difficulty breaking down blood cells, filtering blood in the liver, or draining waste from the blood.
Seek medical attention immediately if you notice yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes. You may need emergency care if you experience other severe or concerning symptoms. Some causes of jaundice can be life-threatening.
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