Jaundice is a medical condition where the bilirubin level shoots up in the blood of the affected person. Also referred to as icterus, the condition may affect adults as well as newborn babies (Neonatal Jaundice), whereby the skin and the white part of the eye (sclera) appears yellowish in color (due to the accumulation of bilirubin).

Bilirubin is the bile pigment that results from the breakdown of hemoglobin (when the RBC cells breakdown). The bilirubin thus produced is released into the plasma. The liver then filters the released bilirubin for further metabolism. In the case of a diseased condition, injury or infection to the liver, it fails to remove the bilirubin from the bloodstream. As a result, there is an abnormal rise in the bilirubin level in the blood (Hyperbilirubinemia), resulting in jaundice. In jaundice, Bilirubin can go upto much higher levels. At 2.5-3 it just starts to get manifest as yellow eyes. Obstructive jaundice may require an endoscopic procedure or surgery. 

Types of jaundice:
Jaundice may be of the following types:

Hepatocellular jaundice: In Hepatocellular jaundice, the elevated bilirubin level in the blood is an outcome of a liver disease or an injury (altering the normal functioning of the liver).
Hemolytic jaundice: Here, the increased level of bilirubin in the blood results from an increased breakdown of the RBCs (Hemolysis).
Obstructive jaundice: As the name suggests, Obstructive jaundice results from an obstruction in the bile duct. As a result, the bilirubin does not get filtered and remains in the liver.

Factors contributing to jaundice:
The increased buildup of bilirubin may be an outcome of

Obstruction and inflammation of the bile duct.
Chronic liver disease including liver cirrhosis and hepatitis.
Pancreatic Cancer.
Hemolytic anemia: It is a condition resulting from increased breakdown of RBCs.
Gilbert's syndrome.
Certain medications may also interfere and alter the normal functioning of the liver (steroids, birth control pills, and acetaminophen, to name a few).
In cholestasis, the bile (conjugated bilirubin), instead of getting eliminated, remains in the liver.
Symptoms:
The symptoms associated with jaundice include

The skin (particularly, the face, hands, nails, and feet) and the sclera appear yellowish.
The urine appears dark in color.
Fever, vomiting, tiredness, and loss of body weight.
Abdominal pain (mild to severe).
The stool appears pale in color.
Itchiness or Pruritus.
Diagnosis and treatment:
The earlier the diagnosis, more effective is the treatment.

Jaundice can be diagnosed by
Physical examination.
Bilirubin tests to determine the total bilirubin level.
CBC is used to determine the levels of RBCs, WBCs, and platelets.
Liver function tests.
The treatment for jaundice involves identifying the underlying factor responsible for the condition and treating it.

In the case of obstructive jaundice, operation helps to improve the condition.
Patients with hepatitis may benefit from antiviral medicines as well as steroids.
In hemolytic anemia, use of iron supplements helps to improve the condition.
Avoid oily and spicy foods, smoking and drinking.
Rest as much as possible.

Jaundice - The Right Way It Can Be Treated!

Infants often suffer from certain diseases which need proper care and timely treatment for quick recovery. At times, it can be difficult to communicate with an infant and understand his/her needs and problems but with a close observation you will surely be able to detect any alteration in the baby's behavior and sense it when he/she is ill. Here are some of the most common diseases infants are susceptible to and what you can do about them.

1. Abdominal distension
It is normal for a baby's belly to stick out after he/she has been fed, but if between feedings there is swelling in the abdomen or it feels hard, it can be an indication of a problem. If this symptom is accompanied by vomiting and absence of bowel movements for more than two days, your baby may be suffering from abdominal distention. This condition may have been caused by swallowing of extra air by the baby while crying or feeding. In such a situation, a pediatrician should be consulted for proper diagnosis and treatment.

2. Jaundice
It is common among newborns to develop mild forms of jaundice as the undeveloped liver is often not able to eliminate the chemical bilirubin from the blood. Mostly, this situation proves to be harmless till the level of bilirubin reaches a certain limit. After that, the disease must be properly treated to avoid damage to the baby's brain or nervous system.

3. Rsv infection
Rsv or respiratory syncytial virus is responsible for causing respiratory problems among infants. Rsv infection usually affects the bronchial passage and shows symptoms like cough, runny nose and mild fever which may even lead to bronchitis. Moreover, this infection may also develop into viral pneumonia, which makes it more important to consult a pediatrician if your baby shows any of the above symptoms.

4. Diarrhea
Infants are susceptible to watery bowel movements due to the action of virus, allergens, specific medications or bacteria. If you observe that your baby is passing stools more often than usual and it is watery, then it may be a case of diarrhea. Sometimes, these symptoms are accompanied by high fever, abdominal pain, lethargy, vomiting, dry eyes and mouth etc. In this situation you should consult your pediatrician and focus on replacing the fluids your baby has lost, to prevent dehydration.

4 Common Diseases that Babies are Susceptible To


How To Prevent Jaundice

During monsoons, many people fall prey to Jaundice. Not to be taken lightly, jaundice can prove fatal if strict care is not taken. However there are ways to ensure that we don't fall sick with jaundice. The four main ways in which it spreads are.

1. Enlargement of liver
2. Loss of blood
3. Infection
4. A previous ailment which has left bacteria in the body

SYMPTOMS: Once can have jaundice any time of the year however one needs to be extremely careful during the months of monsoon. The symptoms of jaundice are.
1. Nails and eyes become yellow
2. Skin and urine change colour to yellow
3. Loss of appetite and irritability
4. Loss of taste
5. Nausea and vomiting
6. Tiredness and weakness
7. High temperature with shivering
8. Taste/tongue becomes bitter
9. Vision also becomes yellow
10. Stool changes colour to yellow or black
11. Heavy pulse and headache

DO’s & DON’Ts
Once diagnosed, patients have to be on strict bed rest with regulated medication on diets. They are advised to drink a lot of sugarcane juice, radish juice, glucose water, take ample rest and not do anything strenuous.

Fried and oily foods are strictly prohibited. Ghee, oil, butter or cream should not be consumed. Alongside, vegetables like okra arbi, brinjal and cauliflower should not be consumed. Alcohol, tobacco, tea, coffee and hot & spicy foods are not allowed.

What jaundice patients should eat are light and healthy foods that are easy to digest. Sugarcane juice, tomato juice, lime water, carrot juice, orange juice, and sweet lime juice should be given to the patient. The patient is allowed to drink only boiled water as resistance to infection is very low at this point of time.
 
Moong and masur dals should be included in the diet, along with lots of buttermilk, without any spices in it. It is very important to follow the diet plan as given by the doctor.

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Monsoon Time Prevention For Jaundice: DO's & DONT's

Jaundice or hyperbilirubinemia is a medical condition that is caused by the high level of bilirubin in the system of a person. It is not a disease in itself but a symptom of various underlying illnesses such as malaria, hepatitis, infection of the liver, destruction of red blood cells or some other causes. It manifests in the form of discoloration of the skin. It turns yellow and so does the white parts of the eyes. The signs and symptoms of jaundice are, yellow skin and whites of the eyes, loss of appetite, weakness, drowsiness, dark colored urine, and fever. Jaundice is diagnosed by physical examination, blood test, or skin test. It can be cured by diet management and allopathic medicines. However, the latter are harsh by nature and if one seeks gentler remedies then Ayurveda is the answer. It has many effective remedies to cure jaundice (pilia) of roots and give quick and lasting relief. 

So, here are some such remedies.

Aloe vera: This Ayurvedic herb is a gentle cleanser that detoxifies the kidneys and liver of the toxins accumulated in the system. It improves the overall digestive functions of the body and is a great tonic for the digestive system. It can be consumed in the form of juice or its pulp can be taken with water.
Bhumyamalaki (Phyllanthus Niruri): A comprehensive liver tonic, bhumyalaki is effective in all kinds of liver disorders. It gives relief in case of all the symptoms of jaundice. Being anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and anti-spasmodic, it cures the liver of infections and also treats the dysfunction.
Yakrit Plihantak Churna: A mixture of beneficial herbs such as kalmegh, katuki, bhringaraj, bhumi amla and others, this churna is a complete medicine for liver disorders. It reduces inflammation and also flushes out the toxins accumulated in the body. It also restores the health of the liver by boosting the regeneration of liver cells.
Changeri (Indian Sorrel): This is helpful in curing symptoms of low appetite and poor digestion. It stimulates digestion and also helps in proper bowel movement.
Chichinda (Snake Gourd): Effective in detoxification and improving the digestive system, chichinda is a rich source of nutrients needed by the human body. It boosts the immune system and also removes worms from the intestines. A natural diuretic, it increases urine secretion, thereby, helping the body get rid of toxins. It can be consumed in the form of juice or taken in mashed form after boiling.
Karela (bitter gourd): A natural cleanser, karela improves the filtration functions of the liver. Being an anti-oxidant, it also restores the immunity of the body, thereby, helping it recover fast.
Ayurveda believes that jaundice or pilia is caused by pitta dosha in the human body and all these remedies work to correct this dosha. Along with these natural remedies, Ayurveda also prescribes plenty of water intake and fluids and abstinence from oily and spicy food as they are known to aggravate the pitta dosha. So, one should follow these instructions and also, take the advice of an Ayurvedic practitioner before taking these remedies.

Jaundice - 6 Ayurvedic Herbs That Can Treat It!

Sometimes, when it comes to problems in the abdominal area, an ultrasound is not clear enough for a diagnosis. In such cases, an Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) may be performed. This procedure gives the doctor a clear view of the duodenum, bile duct, pancreatic ducts, gallbladder and papilla of Vater.

This procedure is usually performed under intravenous sedation without general anesthesia. This procedure involves the use of a duodenoscope, which can be described as a thin, long, flexible tube with a camera at one end. It also has a fiber optic bundle that transmits lights to the camera and a chip to transmit video images to a TV screen.

This is inserted through the patient s mouth and sent down the throat through the food pipe to the stomach and duodenum while the patient is lying on his or her back. The air pipe is left undisturbed so as to not interfere with the patient s breathing. Since the patient is not under general anesthesia, he or she can move and turn according to the doctor s needs. The papilla of Vater is a small nipple like structure with an opening to the bile duct and pancreatic duct. Once this has been identified, a small plastic catheter is passed through the duodenoscope into the bile duct or pancreatic duct through the papilla. Dye is then injected into the area and X-rays are taken of the bile ducts and pancreatic duct. In cases where a biopsy is needed, other instruments can also be passed through the endoscope. Plastic or metal stents can also be passed through this to relieve obstructions in the bile ducts and pancreatic ducts.

ERCP can be used to diagnose and treat a number of conditions in the liver, bile ducts, gall bladder, pancreas and papilla of Vater. These include:

  Blockage of the bile duct by gallstones, cancer, scars, tumors or compression from adjacent organs.

  Jaundice due to an obstructed bile duct. This can also cause light stools and dark urine.

  Persistent upper abdominal pain

  Unexplained weight loss and loss of appetite

  Diagnosing a Dysfunctioning Sphincter of Oddi within the Papilla of Vater

ERCP can also be used to confirm pancreatic cancer and cancer of the bile duct. Once the diagnosis is confirmed, the doctors can customize treatment according to the patient s needs.

Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography - Procedure and Results

The medical name for the yellow tint on your skin and around the white portion of the eye is jaundice. However, jaundice is a symptom of a variety of underlying medical conditions, and not a specific disease. When the body break downs deceased red blood cells, a yellow pigment known as bilirubin is formed. Jaundice develops when your system contains excess bilirubin. Usually, the bilirubin, as well as the dead blood cells, are exterminated by your body.
Jaundice may symbolise a critical problem with your pancreas, blood cells, gallbladder or liver.
Causes:
Jaundice isn t a disease; it is a symptom. Thus if you have jaundice, it might indicate you may have any of the following complications:
Alcohol abuse.
Liver infection.
Liver cancer.
Cirrhosis (Liver scarring mostly due to alcohol).
Gallstones.
Hepatitis (Swollen liver that decreases its functionality).
Pancreatic cancer.
Blood disorders.
An overdose or adverse reaction to certain medications.
Symptoms:
The major indication of jaundice is yellow tinted skin and eyes. In serious cases, the sclera (white parts) of the eye can turn orange or brown. You might additionally exhibit other symptoms such as pale stools and dark urine.
If a concealed condition such as viral hepatitis is causing jaundice, you will probably experience symptoms such as vomiting and excessive fatigue.
Misdiagnosis is common when it comes to jaundice. Sometimes, an abundance of beta carotene (a type of anti-oxidant found abundantly in fruits and plants) can turn your skin yellow.
Treatments:
Since jaundice is a symptom of some other underlying disease, the treatment will focus on that disease. When your treatment starts, the yellow tint will disappear on its own.
If the jaundice is serious, blood transfusions might be needed to expel the excess bilirubin and rejuvenate the body s red blood cells. However, if the body s bile duct mechanism gets blocked, a surgery might be required to unblock the same.

Jaundice: Causes, Symptoms and Treatments

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