An Introduction to Jaundice?

Most of us have an understanding of what Jaundice is as they might have experienced it once at least in their lifetime. If not for themselves, one of their family members would have definitely experienced Jaundice. It may come as a surprise to many if they learn that Jaundice is not a disease in itself but rather a symptom of some disease.

Why does Jaundice manifest and what are the symptoms of Jaundice?

Elevated bilirubin in the blood is the reason why jaundice occurs. When higher RBCs are destroyed than usual or low metabolism occurs in the liver, jaundice happens. Bilirubin is a yellow-colored waste material that persists in the bloodstream after iron is removed from the destroyed blood. The liver in normal course filters wastes out from the blood. But sometimes if there is too much bilirubin, the liver cannot excrete the entire bilirubin and they build up in the blood which can leak into the body tissues. This produces the typical yellow color in the skin and eyes. The presence of jaundice indicates a problem with the liver or bile duct. Most newborns get jaundice (called physiological jaundice) and it cures on its own.

Types of Jaundice

Jaundice can be widely classified as being medical or surgical in nature. While medical jaundice can be treated by medicines or by observation alone, surgical jaundice needs surgical treatment.

Medical Jaundice

An array of conditions can cause medical jaundice. Conditions like hemolytic anemia, hematoma, etc, can cause jaundice. When liver function is hampered in conditions like infection caused by Hepatitis B, C, or other viruses jaundice can happen. Regular alcohol consumption can also cause jaundice. Taking certain medicines for prolonged periods, particularly chemotherapy medications has the potential to cause jaundice. Certain autoimmune diseases can cause injury to the liver and can cause Jaundice.

Surgical Jaundice

Some conditions like the presence of gallstones, obstruction in the bile duct, pancreatic duct, or even in the small intestine, any metastatic cancer in the liver, can all cause jaundice. All these conditions are surgical in nature which means only surgical intervention can correct it to give relief from jaundice produced as a result. Jaundice manifested as a result of any of the above surgical conditions can cause specific symptoms like itching, and pale-colored stool, apart from the regular symptom of yellowish pigmentation of the skin and the eyes.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Jaundice

Physical examination is the first level examination performed by the surgeon. A simple blood test, liver function test and bile salt test (urine test) can to some extent indicate if the jaundice is due to medical or surgical reasons. The next level diagnosis is the ultrasound of the abdomen. It can give precise reasons if there is any abnormality in the gallbladder. Depending on the condition, the surgeon might ask for another diagnosis like CT Scan or MRI. If it is suspected that certain specific surgical conditions are causing jaundice, the surgeon might indicate it and ask you to get surgical treatment.

It might be noted that since jaundice is produced as a result of surgical reasons also, most herbal treatments for jaundice will never work. So a proper diagnosis and the reasons for jaundice needs to be understood so that proper treatment ensues.