Verified By Dr Amitav Mohanty February 13, 2023
19038If you notice a tinge of yellow in your skin or the whites of your eye, do not ignore. Get yourself checked for jaundice.
Jaundice is a yellowish discolouration of the skin and white part of the eyes and mucous membranes caused by high levels of bilirubin (a yellowish pigment found in the bile, a fluid made by the liver). The level of bilirubin in the blood determines the colour tone. If the bilirubin level is mildly elevated, the skin/whites of the eye are yellowish; if the level is high — they tend to be brownish.
It is important to note that jaundice by itself is not a disease but in fact, a symptom of an underlying blood or liver disorder.
One of the primary functions of the liver is to remove bilirubin, a by-product of the everyday breakdown of red blood cells. Jaundice occurs when the liver fails to remove it from the bloodstream, metabolise and excrete it as bile.
Therefore, jaundice could be an indication of:
Several common conditions could lead to an increase in bilirubin production. Some of the diseases that cause jaundice include Hepatitis-B, Hepatitis-C, Alcoholic liver disease, liver cancer and pancreatic cancer. Some drugs could also cause jaundice. This happens as a consequence of the medications that are metabolised by the liver.
There are ways to prevent jaundice:
As mentioned earlier, jaundice is more an indication of a disease. So if you suspect jaundice, go see a doctor. The treatment requires the diagnosis of the specific cause for jaundice.
Typically, a light diet, consisting of fruits and vegetables with lots of fluids such as fruit juices, tender coconut water and buttermilk is advised to take the load off your sluggish liver.
Also Read : Liver Function Test Normal Range
If diagnosed with jaundice stay away from alcohol, fried or heavy foods for a few months after recovery or you might risk a relapse.
References:
https://www.askapollo.com/diseases/infant-jaundice
https://www.apollohospitals.com/patient-care/health-and-lifestyle/understanding-investigations/bilirubin-test/
https://www.apollohospitals.com/patient-care/health-and-lifestyle/understanding-investigations/liver-function-tests/
https://www.apollohospitals.com/apollo-in-the-news/apollomedics-super-specialty-hospital-lucknow-has-successfully-performed-liver-transplantation-surgery-on-a-45-year-old-patient-and-gave-him-a-new-lease-of-life/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGi-YfknbIE
MBBS, MD -Medicine, Senior Consultant - General Medicine, Apollo Hospitals Bhubanswar