Jaundice – Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Fortunately, there are a lot of things you can do to help prevent the disease from occurring. You can also learn about the causes, symptoms, and treatment of jaundice.
Symptoms
Symptoms of jaundice vary depending on the cause. Infections can cause short-term jaundice, while chronic jaundice is a sign of more serious conditions. The disease can be life-threatening. It can cause changes in skin color and liver function. It is important to diagnose and treat jaundice as soon as possible.
Jaundice is a yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes. This occurs because the liver is unable to properly filter bilirubin, a yellow waste product from red blood cells. The liver is a vital organ that helps the body remove harmful substances. It also helps to prevent a buildup of bilirubin.
Symptoms of jaundice in adults can include dark urine and clay-colored stool. There are many underlying causes of jaundice. The doctor will ask questions about your medical history and lifestyle to identify the cause of your jaundice. He may also refer you to a doctor or hospital for a test. If the cause of your jaundice is serious, your doctor may order blood tests or ultrasound, or MRI to determine the severity of your condition.
Babies may experience jaundice after birth. The disease can be caused by infections, blockages in the bile ducts, or a disease of the liver. Jaundice in babies can be treated with medication or changes in feeding.
Babies are at greater risk for jaundice because their livers aren’t fully developed. The liver can only handle so much bilirubin at a time. Depending on the severity of the disease, a child may need to have surgery or blood transfusions.
Infants are at higher risk for jaundice because they have more blood cells than adults. This is due to the fact that newborns have more red blood cells than adults. The baby’s liver can only handle so much bilirubin before it begins to swell and block.
Jaundice is a yellowing or dark color of the skin, mucus membranes, or the whites of the eyes. The most common sign of jaundice is the presence of bilirubin in the blood. However, there are many other symptoms as well. Some of the most common symptoms include a yellowish color to the skin, a fever, nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain.
Diagnosis
During a physical examination of a patient with jaundice, a variety of pathological conditions can be ruled out. The main underlying cause of jaundice is biliary obstruction.
Other causes include infections, drugs, and malignancies. Patients may be treated with antibiotics, intravenous antibiotics, or emergent surgery. The presence of a family history of liver disease may suggest a genetically transmitted nonhemolytic hyperbilirubinemia.
Other pathological conditions that can cause jaundice are cholestasis, autoimmune diseases, and hemolytic anemia. Hepatitis A is the most common cause of jaundice in youth, but hepatitis B may also occur at any age. Various drugs can also cause jaundice, including isoniazid, chlorpromazine, and erythromycin. The presence of splenomegaly suggests an underlying hematological condition, such as viral hepatitis or primary hemolytic disease.
Jaundice may be associated with fever, pruritus, and pale stools. If a patient with jaundice is also having a fever or fever-like illness, it can be an indication of bacterial sepsis.
The diagnosis of jaundice is based on a combination of physical examination and laboratory tests. A thorough history can help to make the diagnosis. Jaundice is yellow or orange, and is a sign of hepatic or hemolytic dysfunction. Some patients may not show signs of jaundice until after the diagnosis has been made.
Abdominal sonography is a valuable screening test in patients with jaundice. It can help to demonstrate liver and pancreas lesions and allow guided biopsy. However, this test is not always accurate in obese patients.
Other diagnostic procedures are useful in patients with jaundice. Abdominal X-ray, liver biopsy, and arteriography are all useful to evaluate the liver and pancreas. They may also help to identify the cause of jaundice.
In the laboratory, the diagnosis of jaundice can be made through a combination of blood tests, reticulocyte count, and erythrocyte enzyme tests. The presence of splenomegaly, eosinophilia and proinflammatory cytokines can indicate hepatocellular dysfunction or a viral infection. A complete blood count may also reveal anemia without blood loss.
Patients with jaundice may require emergent surgery. If there is a family history of liver disease, splenectomy is recommended. The presence of enlarged spleens, liver palms, or liver cirrhosis is also an important indicator of underlying liver disease.
Treatment
Depending on the underlying cause of jaundice, treatment is either medical or surgical. Medical treatment may include a blood exchange transfusion, a treatment that replaces blood with donor blood to lower bilirubin levels. The procedure is most effective at reducing dangerously high bilirubin levels. However, in cases of biliary obstructions, surgical treatment may be required.
Blood transfusions are a treatment that replaces red blood cells. These replacements are done to decrease bilirubin levels and improve the red blood cell count. This type of treatment is most effective in babies with severe jaundice. The blood transfusion process involves a small amount of blood being withdrawn and replaced by donor blood.
If jaundice persists after a blood transfusion, phototherapy may be used. Phototherapy breaks down bilirubin in the skin into an anti-harmful form. This treatment is only available in hospitals and is only used for babies with high bilirubin levels.
In addition, treatment may be required for hepatitis B or hepatitis A. Hepatitis A usually leaves the body without treatment, while hepatitis B requires antiviral drugs to treat.
Depending on the cause of jaundice, treatment may also involve a liver transplant. However, in some cases, jaundice may improve on its own. For example, jaundice in infants can improve with a regular feeding schedule. The feeding schedule should be at least eight to twelve times a day. If the jaundice is severe, it may be accompanied by poor feeding and seizures.
For a baby who is receiving breast milk, treatment may be necessary to prevent excessive levels of bilirubin from building up. If a baby is not receiving enough milk, his or her liver may build up bilirubin. Jaundice can also be aggravated by occult hemorrhage and a condition called Crigler-Najjar syndrome.
Phototherapy may be used in infants who have high bilirubin levels. The phototherapy procedure is usually carried out over a period of 48 hours and is most effective at lowering bilirubin levels.
Severe jaundice can cause tooth problems, hearing loss, and athetoid cerebral palsy. If your child has severe jaundice, seek medical care immediately. In most cases, jaundice will clear up when the medication is stopped.
Prevention
Taking steps to prevent jaundice can help to ensure that your baby is healthy. However, if you notice any signs of jaundice, you should seek treatment as soon as possible.
Newborn jaundice is a condition that can cause your baby to have difficulty eating and become drowsy. It can also spread to the rest of the body. Jaundice can also be a symptom of more serious conditions, such as hepatitis or liver cancer.
Jaundice is caused by a chemical called bilirubin. It is a yellow substance that is found in hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells. It causes yellow discoloration of the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes.
Babies can develop jaundice during their first two to eight weeks of life. It is not dangerous but can cause complications if left untreated. Jaundice can be prevented with lifestyle changes and proper hydration.
Newborns need to be checked regularly for jaundice. You can do this by gently pressing the baby’s skin, which may turn yellow. When jaundice appears, you should also check for other symptoms, including an arch in the neck, fever, and throwing up. You should consult a pediatrician if your baby has persistent symptoms.
A jaundice diagnosis can be made by a doctor using various tests. Some of these tests include checking the level of bilirubin in the baby’s blood. They also check for a variety of pre-existing conditions. Some of these include acute pancreatitis, hepatitis B, thalassemia, and cancer. If the results are positive, doctors prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection. They will also perform a liver biopsy to confirm the diagnosis.
There are a number of risk factors that increase the risk of developing jaundice. Some of the most common risk factors include:
Incompatibility of the baby’s blood type is one of the most common causes of jaundice. When the baby’s blood type is not compatible, a buildup of antibodies can destroy the red blood cells.
Breastfeeding can also lead to jaundice. It is important to give your baby at least 8-12 feedings a day. This will help your baby pass the excess bilirubin in their stool.
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Health A-Z. (2022, April 26). Verywell Health. https://www.verywellhealth.com/health-a-z-4014770
Harvard Health. (2015, November 17). Health A to Z. https://www.health.harvard.edu/health-a-to-z
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