Jaundice can be Dangerous for People if not Treated on Time
When the liver is not working properly, it can cause a waste material called bilirubin to build up in the blood and that can lead to jaundice. Adults and children with jaundice may notice a yellowish tinge to their skin, mucous membranes, and the whites of the eyes. It can happen with various health conditions and usually indicates a problem with the liver or bile ducts.
Causes of Jaundice
Jaundice typically occurs due to an underlying disorder that either causes the production of too much bilirubin or prevents the liver from eliminating it.
Some possible underlying conditions and causes of jaundice include:
- side effects of certain medications
- gallstone disease
- excessive alcohol consumption
- gallbladder or pancreatic cancer
- cirrhosis, which is a disease that causes scar tissue to replace healthy tissue in the liver
- hepatitis or other liver infections
- hemolytic anemia
Types of Jaundice
There are three main types of jaundice including-
- Prehepatic: This occurs before the liver processes the waste and results in higher unconjugated bilirubin levels.
- Hepatic: This occurs in the liver and results in both higher conjugated and unconjugated bilirubin levels.
- Posthepatic: This occurs after the liver has processed the waste and results in higher conjugated bilirubin levels.
Symptoms of Jaundice
Jaundice can lead to several un-discussed symptoms that vary depending upon the condition of the patients and can cause morbidity and mortality if not offered the right treatment at the right time.
Common symptoms of jaundice include:
- a yellow tinge to the skin, mucous membranes, and the whites of the eyes
- pale stools
- dark urine
- itchiness
- fatigue
- abdominal pain
- weight loss
- vomiting
- fever
Treatment of Jaundice
Treatment depends on the underlying cause of jaundice. Jaundice can lead to itching or pruritus. A healthcare professional may prescribe medications for those experiencing moderate to severe pruritis, such as cholestyramine or colestipol. As jaundice may sometimes indicate damage to the liver, a liver transplant may be necessary in some cases, depending on the severity of the injury. Jaundice is curable all you have to do is visit the Panchmukhi Superspeciality Hospital Pvt Ltd, Patna, and get assisted by our experts according to your underlying condition.