Dorothy FarrarJaundice (icterus)
Jaundice ( icterus ) is a symptom of various underlying diseases. Yellowing of the eyes (whites of the eyes) and skin is typical. While jaundice is usually pathological in adults, it is often a harmless, temporary symptom in infants. Successful therapy starts with precisely these underlying diseases.
What is jaundice (icterus)?
Jaundice is also known in medicine as jaundice. Jaundice owes its name to the fact that it leads to a characteristic yellowing of the skin and mucous membranes.
Jaundice causes an increased concentration of the pigment bilirubin in the body of an affected person.
Bilirubin is found in bile and is produced when hemoglobin, the red blood pigment, is broken down. This yellow dye is deposited in the body tissue and leads to the typical yellow colouration.
Incidentally, excessive consumption of carrots can also lead to temporary yellowing of the skin (but not the eyes). This is a harmless form of icterus and is therefore also referred to as pseudoicterus.
causes
The cause of jaundice is initially a disturbed bilirubin metabolism. Since the liver (Greek = hepar) plays an important role in an intact bilirubin metabolism, a distinction is made between different forms of jaundice with regard to the causes of the disturbed bilirubin metabolism and thus the jaundice. These forms include prehepatic, hepatic, and posthepatic jaundice.
If there is prehepatic jaundice, its causes lie before the liver. Blood diseases that cause excessive breakdown of red blood cells are usually responsible for this.
Posthepatic jaundice is usually caused by disturbances in the flow of bile. After all, hepatic jaundice is usually caused by diseases of the liver itself. These include diseases such as hepatitis or cirrhosis of the liver .
When to the doctor?
If jaundice becomes noticeable with its typical signs, a visit to the doctor is usually indicated. This is due to the fact that quite a few causes of jaundice can be threatening to life-threatening – including, for example, liver damage, hepatitis, etc.
Jaundice that occurs becomes noticeable at the latest with the yellowing of the conjunctiva in the eye to such an extent that third parties will speak to the person concerned about it. A temporary and very weak yellowing of the conjunctiva, for example, which disappears after a few hours (yellowing of the rest of the skin and mucous membranes does not occur) does not usually require acute treatment, but can be traced back to acute causes – usually medication. However, you should see a doctor to clarify. Finally, the cause of jaundice must always be clarified.
People who often notice this weak form of jaundice should have it checked whether they are suffering from a genetic defect (e.g. Gilbert’s syndrome ). This is harmless and can be done through diagnostics or genetic testing. Those affected do not have to visit the doctor again and again if weak jaundice recurs. If jaundice occurs with other symptoms (nausea, pain, dizziness , etc.), you should go to the hospital because it could be an acute sign of inflammation or poisoning.
symptoms and course
Possible symptoms of jaundice:
If the bilirubin concentration in the context of jaundice exceeds a certain value, the symptoms of the yellowish appearing skin and mucous membranes can also be accompanied by yellowing of the eyes (sclera, sclera). Other symptoms of jaundice include discoloration of the stool and urine , fatigue , abdominal pain and fever.
Itching and discoloration of the urine and stool can also often occur with jaundice: the urine typically appears dark brown, while the stool may be lighter or darker than before, depending on the underlying cause of the jaundice. For example, if jaundice is caused by inflammatory processes, in many cases the disease can heal on its own. Depending on the cause, jaundice can also be chronic and cause long-term organ damage.
Diagnose
There are a number of underlying diseases that can cause jaundice. The doctor first tries to draw initial conclusions about possible causes of jaundice in the patient interview (anamnesis). He asks when and which symptoms first appeared, whether certain previous illnesses exist and which medications the person concerned is taking. Questions about general lifestyle habits, especially regular consumption of alcohol, also provide the doctor with the first important clues when diagnosing the cause.
This is followed by a physical examination of the patient. In this context, a blood test is indispensable. Furthermore, a urine and stool analysis as well as various imaging methods (e.g. ultrasound ) can contribute to clarifying the cause.
complications
As a rule, the jaundice itself is a compilation. For this reason, the underlying disease must be treated in any case, so that the death of the person concerned or other complications do not occur. Those affected can suffer from diseases of the liver or gallbladder, which in the worst case can also lead to death. In particular, complete liver failure can be a serious complication that can no longer be treated. Patients then need a liver transplant. Jaundice can also lead to digestive disorders. Especially with an increased amount of alcohol, jaundice can occur in the long term, which can be fatal for those affected.
The treatment of jaundice is usually always causal and depends on the underlying disease. The sufferer may need withdrawal or a strict diet to relieve the symptoms of jaundice. In many cases, however, surgical interventions are necessary. Whether jaundice will lead to a reduction in life expectancy cannot be universally predicted.
treatment and therapy
Successful therapy for jaundice depends on the corresponding causes of the disease. Because jaundice is merely a symptom of an underlying disorder or disease and not a disease in its own right, treatment targets the cause of the jaundice.
Post-hepatic jaundice caused by gallstones is usually treated by removing the gallstones. This can be done through an endoscopic or surgical procedure.
If the underlying disease for jaundice is successfully treated, the skin color will regulate itself again. If certain medications are the cause of the symptoms, the doctor and patient should think about changing their medication.
If alcohol abuse is the reason for the jaundice, an important therapy component is the treatment of the existing addiction problem.
Various measures are used to treat hepatitis. For example, hepatitis B is fought with virus-inhibiting drugs. If this therapy is effective, the bilirubin level in the blood decreases, which in turn leads to the yellowing of the face disappearing.
prevention
Jaundice is prevented by preventing the relevant underlying disease or disorder. For example, responsible use of medication or alcohol can reduce the risk of liver damage. A low-fat, high-fiber diet is recommended to prevent bile buildup and gallstones as the cause of jaundice. Protective vaccinations against hepatitis A and B are possible.
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.