Jaundice
JAUNDICE is referred to the yellow pigmentation of the skin or sclera of eyes by bile pigment. This pigment has an affinity for elastic tissue, the skin and sclera of the eyes.
Jaundice means the yellow appearance of the skin and whites of the eyes that occurs when the blood contains an excess of the pigment called bilirubin.
Jaundice is due to the over production of bilirubin, decreased uptake by liver, decreased metabolism and decreased excretion.
Jaundice occurs when there is 1) too much bilirubin being produced for the liver to remove from the blood. (For example, patients with hemolytic anemia have an abnormally rapid rate of destruction of their red blood cells that releases large amounts of bilirubin into the blood), 2) a defect in the liver that prevents bilirubin from being removed from the blood, converted to bilirubin/glucuronic acid (conjugated) or secreted in bile, or 3) blockage of the bile ducts that decreases the flow of bile and bilirubin from the liver into the intestines.
Jaundice may be brought to attention by a darkening of the normal colourless or slightly yellow urine.
When jaundice is due to obstruction of the bile duct the person will often notice that their urine becomes dark and stools become pale, as the excess bilirubin 'spills over' into the urine and no longer colours the stool. Obstructive jaundice is also often accompanied by intense itching.
Causes of Jaundice
1. Liver causes:
(a) Acute e.g. Viral hepatitis, decreased uptake of bilirubin, drug induced.
(b) Chronic e.g. Cirrhosis of liver, congenital
2. Obstructive Jaundice (decreased excretion of bilirubin outside liver) e.g. Gall stones, stricture of bile duct and tumor
3. Drugs and sepsis
4. Destruction of red blood corpuscles e.g. Incompatible blood transfusions, congenital disorders of the liver, congenital disorders of red blood corpuscles (overproduction of bilirubin).
Signs and Symptoms of Jaundice
1. Appearance of yellow discolouration of sclera
2. Darkening of urine
3. Dull abdominal pain
4. Low fever with chills
5. Mild itching
Management of Jaundice
1. Bed rest, no exercise at all.
2. Plenty of glucose water.
3. High protein, high carbohydrate and low fat diet.
4. Vitamins.
5. No alcohol permitted.
6. Consult a doctor.
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