Introduction: Why Jaundice Is More Than Just Yellow Skin
Have you ever seen that someone’s eyes or skin has a yellow shade and wondered what it could mean? That yellow color on your skin is called jaundice and it is a very important sign given by your body. Jaundice pictures an internal problem, usually with your liver, ducts or blood.
Even in a newborn baby, whose yellow color is normal or an adult tired after a bout with yellow eyes, jaundice needs to be addressed. Forgetting these tests could result in unknown liver disease, infections or blood problems at first.
We will go through all aspects of jaundice in this guide—what it is, the cause, how to notice it, methods of treatment and its prevention. We should try to better understand the yellow alarm your body is giving you.
What Is Jaundice?
In jaundice, your skin, your eye whites (sclera) and various tissues become yellow as bilirubin spills into your blood.
What is Bilirubin?
Bilirubin is produced as the result of your body removing worn-out red blood cells. Ordinarily, the liver cleans bilirubin and transports it out as part of bile which you pass in your stool. When the system breaks down, bilirubin is not removed properly and this causes the yellow color we see.
How Common Is Jaundice?
About 60% of full-term newborns develop jaundice and this increases to 80% in premature babies. Health problems that lead to urinary incontinence in adults rarely occur, but they usually need immediate care.
Recognizing Jaundice: What Are the Symptoms?
It’s easy to notice jaundice because skin and whites of the eyes turn yellow, however, other symptoms are possible depending on the root of the jaundice.
- The main sign is a yellow color to the skin and eyes.
- A dark urine color like brown or cola
- Bowel movements that appear gray or pale
- Bile salt deposits can make the skin itchy.
- People feel tired and weaker upon breathing in these air pollutants.
- The person may experience abdominal swelling or pain mostly in their right side
- Those experiencing cancer may complain about nausea, vomiting and a lack of interest in eating.
- Weight loss seen in chronic situations
- Fever and/or chills (when infection has taken hold)
If someone you know or care about has any of these signs, go to the doctor immediately.
Types of Jaundice and Their Causes
Knowing about jaundice requires knowledge of where the bilirubin collects and why. Three main categories explain the causes of jaundice depending on where it begins.
1. Pre-Hepatic Jaundice (Before the Liver)
Binary: In case of pre-hepatic jaundice, the number of red blood cells being broken down becomes too high for the liver to manage. Conditions include:
- Hemolytic anemia – a faster than usual breakdown of red blood cells
- Sickle cell disease exists.
- Thalassemia
- Other infections and malaria
- Some substances such as medications or toxins, may harm red blood cells
2. Hepatic jaundice happens within the liver.
The liver here is damaged or sick, so it cannot break down bilirubin correctly. Causes include:
- Viral hepatitis refers to hepatitis A, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, hepatitis D and hepatitis E.
- The illness caused by alcohol being harmful to the liver
- Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
- Liver scarring which is called cirrhosis
- Liver cancer
- Cases like Gilbert’s syndrome or Crigler-Najjar syndrome are genetic disorders
3. Post-Hepatic Jaundice (Outside of the Liver)
The blockage of bile ducts in the liver keeps bile from coming out and bilirubin accumulation results:
- A blockage of bile flow by gallstones
- Tumors that start in the pancreas or the bile duct
- A stricture of the bile duct or inflammation of the bile duct (cholangitis)
- Acute pancreatitis may cause compression of the bile ducts.
Jaundice in Newborns Babies
The immature state of a baby’s liver is the reason neonatal jaundice is fairly common. More red blood cells from the fetus are broken down at birth which causes additional bilirubin.
Types of Neonatal Jaundice:
- Physiological jaundice: It’s found in most infants, will appear between 2 and 3 days of birth and usually is nothing to worry about
- Breastfeeding jaundice: Not enough breastfeeding during the first days may lead to jaundice.
- Breast milk jaundice: Breast milk jaundice happens when components in breast milk slow how bilirubin is removed from the body
- Pathological jaundice: Blood type mismatches or infections after birth result in pathological jaundice, often needing prompt treatment
Unmanaged severe jaundice in children may lead to kernicterus which results in lasting neurological issues.
How Is Jaundice Diagnosed?
Doctors detect jaundice using the following:
- Examination: Skin and eyes appear yellow during a physical checkup
- Tests on your blood: Total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, liver enzymes and blood counts
- Using ultrasound: doctors look at the liver size, ducts of the bile and gallstones.
- Hepatitis screening: The purpose of hepatitis screening is to catch viral infections.
- CT scans or MRI’s: To give detailed pictures if doctors suspect tumors or clogs
- Liver biopsy: In challenging situations to look at the condition of liver tissue
Various Treatments for Jaundice
Treatment is based on the unique reason for the disease:
Treating Pre-Hepatic Jaundice:
- Handling diseases related to blood
- Blood transfusion is used to treat major cases of blood loss.
- Trying to treat infections like malaria
Treatment of Hepatic Jaundice
- Medicines used to fight against hepatitis
- Altering my habits: no more alcohol and watching my weight
- Treatments to help the liver
- Liver transplantation may be carried out if the disease is too complex.
Treating Post-Hepatic Jaundice:
- Surgery or endoscopy is used to remove gallstones.
- Insertion of stents to relieve blocked bile ducts
- Surgery is performed or chemotherapy is administered, for removal or treatment of tumors.
Neonatal Jaundice Treatments:
- Light therapy (phototherapy) to help remove bilirubin
- Giving an exchange transfusion when the condition is severe
- Giving sufficient nutrition helps bilirubin to be eliminated from the body.
Diet and Lifestyle:
If your liver is healthy, you will be less likely to get jaundice. Her happiness can be maintained in the following way:
Foods You Should Eat:
- Fruits and vegetables, especially those containing plenty of antioxidants
- Spinach and kale are good leafy greens.
- Fiber comes from eating whole grains and legumes.
- Fats found in nuts, seeds and olive oil.
- Tumeric, garlic and ginger are some spices that help the liver.
Things to Try to Avoid:
- Excess alcohol
- Sugar-filled and high-fat processed foods
- Excessive use of medications that harm the liver (never ignore your doctor’s directions)
- Being close to potentially dangerous chemical substances
Lifestyle Tips:
- Avoid gaining excessive weight by eating well and getting exercise.
- Exercise regularly
- Stay hydrated
- Make sure you get protected from hepatitis A and B with vaccines.
- Wash your hands often and try to avoid activities that could be dangerous.
Problems Caused by Not Treating Jaundice
Untreated jaundice can bring about severe complications.
- Liver failure happens when the damage to the liver can not be reversed.
- Disease of the liver that lasts for a long time and cirrhosis
- Infections growing and infecting additional parts of the body
- Infants may experience permanent brain damage (kernicterus).
- Undernourishment and a loss of health in people
Starting treatment at an early stage saves lives.
When to See a Doctor Immediately
Seek help as soon as you spot symptoms.
- The skin or eyes of the animal are yellow.
- Distressing levels of sleepiness or difficulty thinking
- Symptoms like lasting vomiting and pain in the abdomen
- When urine is darker than normal and stools look paler
- Someone with fever and chills may have a virus.
- Poor feeding or a baby being lethargic is often a sign in newborns.
Final Thoughts: Don’t Ignore the Yellow Signal
Jaundice signals you that your body needs your attention for something going on inside. A newborn baby needing calm care or an adult with liver problems, catching the problem early will make a big difference.
For jaundice, listen to your body, never ignore signs and see a healthcare provider if you notice any symptoms. A little knowledge about jaundice could make a big difference to your health or that of someone near to you.
Every yellow sign is a silent scream from your liver. Respect the signal, respond with care
