Have you ever noticed someone with a yellow tint to their skin or the whites of their eyes? That’s a classic sign of a condition called jaundice. But it's not a disease itself, it's actually a symptom that your body is having trouble processing a natural waste product called bilirubin.
Think of bilirubin as the leftover "garbage" from your old red blood cells. Your liver acts as the body's recycling plant, filtering this bilirubin out of your blood so it can be removed from your body. Jaundice happens when this recycling system gets backed up, causing bilirubin to build up and tint your tissues yellow.
So, getting into the medical definition of Jaundice - is a condition characterized by the yellow discolouration of the skin, the whites of the eyes (sclera), and mucous membranes. This yellowing occurs due to an excessive buildup of a yellow pigment called bilirubin in the blood. In adults, the initial and most recognizable sign is the visible yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes. Other common symptoms that often accompany jaundice include dark brown or tea-colored urine, pale or clay-colored stools, persistent itching (pruritus), fatigue and general malaise and abdominal pain or swelling.
Jaundice is a clinical sign indicating a high level of bilirubin; a yellow pigment produced during the normal breakdown of red blood cells in the bloodstream. This buildup leads to the characteristic yellowing of the skin, the sclera (whites of the eyes), and other mucous membranes.
Diagnosing the symptoms of Jaundice as soon as possible is significant because it helps with the right treatment and prevents any further risks. A primary symptom of Jaundice is usually the yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes, which is seen between the second and fourth days after birth in a child and could persist for some weeks and for adults the characteristics include yellowing of the skin and eyes, dark urine, pale or clay-colored stools, fatigue, abdominal pain, fever, and loss of appetite. To identify jaundice symptoms, a medical professional may order a bilirubin blood test. But, finding the symptoms at home is also possible. Jaundice in newborns is a global issue, with an estimated 1.1 million babies developing severe hyperbilirubinemia every year, especially in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.
Seek medical professional advice if you suspect Jaundice.
There are several Jaundice symptoms that help diagnose an individual who is affected by Jaundice.
Below is the list of General Symptoms of Jaundice: These symptoms were common for all age groups
Below is the list of Jaundice Symptoms in Adults:
Below is the list of Jaundice Symptoms in Newborns:
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Jaundice is not a disease itself but a visible sign of an underlying medical problem. It becomes apparent when bilirubin, a yellow pigment, builds up in the blood. Treatment focuses on addressing the root cause, and the specific signs can offer clues to what that cause might be.
Common Signs of Jaundice
The hallmark sign is yellowing, which typically appears in the following order:
Other common signs that often accompany jaundice include:
Jaundice is diagnosed through a combination of a physical examination, blood tests to measure bilirubin levels and liver function, and imaging studies to identify the underlying cause. Potential causes include liver disease, gallstones, infections, and other medical conditions. For infants, a transcutaneous bilirubinometer; a device that uses light to measure bilirubin through the skin is often used as an initial screening tool.
The diagnostic process usually begins with a thorough evaluation of your medical history and a physical exam. Your doctor will ask about any risk factors for liver disease, possible exposure to viruses, and other relevant health details. During the physical exam, the doctor will look for the characteristic yellowing of the skin and eyes and check your abdomen for any tenderness, swelling, or other unusual signs.
Blood tests play a central role in diagnosing jaundice. They help measure bilirubin levels, assess how well your liver is working, and often point to the underlying cause.
Imaging tests are used to get a visual of your liver, gallbladder, and bile ducts.
Additional tests may be needed to confirm a diagnosis:
The approach to diagnosing jaundice in newborns is slightly different. A transcutaneous bilirubinometer is a handheld device that is placed against the baby's skin to get a quick, non-invasive estimate of bilirubin levels. If this screening test shows high levels, a blood test is then done to confirm the result and guide treatment.
Jaundice arises from disruptions in bilirubin metabolism. Bilirubin is a yellow pigment produced when red blood cells break down, and a healthy liver processes it to be excreted from the body. When this process is interrupted, bilirubin builds up, leading to the yellowing of the skin and eyes.
Categories of Causes
Problems before bilirubin processing, such as the rapid breakdown of red blood cells, which overwhelms the liver's ability to process the excess bilirubin.
Liver dysfunction or damage that prevents the liver from effectively processing and excreting bilirubin.
Blockages in the bile ducts that prevent bilirubin from being excreted from the liver.
Common Causes in Specific Groups
There are many types of Jaundice, like Prehepatic Jaundice, Hepatic, Posthepatic and Neonatal Jaundice. Let's discuss them briefly here.
Jaundice could be caused by a number of possible risk factors. The risk factors of Jaundice are:
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Jaundice complications vary but can include liver failure, kidney failure, malnutrition, and increased risk of infections. A serious complication in newborns is kernicterus, which can cause brain damage, hearing loss, and cerebral palsy. In adults, severe jaundice often results from or is accompanied by serious underlying liver or bile duct issues, which themselves can lead to severe symptoms like bleeding, confusion, and liver failure.
To treat jaundice, a doctor must first diagnose and address the underlying cause, as it is a symptom, not a disease itself. Treatment for newborns differs from that for adults due to the different causes in each population.
Jaundice is usually treated depending on the underlying causes. So, there is no specific medicine for Jaundice. Medications would be prescribed based on the cause of Jaundice if needed. Treatment at the correct time is necessary to prevent more complications.
Phototherapy is the very common Treatment for newborn Jaundice, after the starting symptoms of Jaundice is visible. Exchange transfusion, Frequent feeding, and Treatment of underlying conditions are the other treatments for Jaundice in babies.
The symptoms of Jaundice in adults are treated by treating the underlying conditions. Jaundice is treated depending on the underlying causes. So, there is no specific medicine for Jaundice. Medications would be prescribed based on the cause of Jaundice if needed. Treatment at the correct time is necessary to prevent more complications.
Let's discuss jaundice medications that are used to treat Jaundice.
Underlying Cause | Used Medicine Names/ Procedure Name |
Hepatitis (viral or autoimmune) | Antiviral medications or immunosuppressants |
Gallstones blocking the bile duct | Surgery to remove the gallbladder or the gallstones |
Anaemia, Some cancers, or Infections | Treatment depends on the conditions |
Used Medicine Names |
Cholestyramine |
Colestipol |
Anti-malarial medications like artesunate |
Artemether |
Use only the medicines prescribed by the doctor if you have Jaundice. Do not self-medicate on your own.
Treatment methods | Process | How is it used? |
Phototherapy | This uses blue or white light to break down bilirubin. | Used for newborns with Jaundice. |
Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG) | Helps reduce Jaundice in newborns. | It is used if the Jaundice is caused by rhesus disease. |
Exchange Transfusion | An exchange transfusion of blood may be necessary. | Used in rare cases of severe jaundice. |
Liver Transplant | A Liver transplant might be necessary. | Used in cases of severe liver damage or failure, |
Depending on the type and severity of the Jaundice, and if it's due to a liver problem, the recovery time for Jaundice differs.
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In general, one can prevent Jaundice by following a few procedures, like maintaining a healthy liver, avoiding alcohol, and practising good hygiene.
Certain foods are needed to be taken during Jaundice. This is because a diet having liver-friendly foods such as fruits, vegetables, and proteins help lower the strain on the liver, helps in detoxification, and can enhance faster recovery.
When you have Jaundice, some foods, like foods that are high in fat, sugar, salt, and caffeine, must be avoided. This is because these foods can make your liver work harder and worsen your symptoms.
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Early symptoms of Jaundice in adults include Yellowing of the skin and eyes. As per studies, in India Punjab, Rajasthan, and northern and northeastern regions (such as Uttar Pradesh, Orissa, Bihar, West Bengal, and Assam) have higher rate of Jaundice. Jaundice symptoms in Hindi-speaking states due to Hepatitis A and E are prevalent. Jaundice symptoms in Tamil Nadu are often found due to underlying conditions like liver or blood disorders. Jaundice symptoms in Telugu people were seen due to liver problems, gallstones, and tumours.
Knowing the signs and symptoms of Jaundice will help in prompt treatment process. A mother must find out the symptoms of Jaundice in newborn, so that she can help her baby get faster recovery.
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