Jaundice

When the amount of the yellow-orange bile pigment bilirubin is elevated, the skin, eye whites, and mucous membranes become a yellowish color. Jaundice can be caused by hepatitis, gallstones, tumors, and a variety of other conditions. Generally speaking, in adults, jaundice does not need to be addressed.  

Symptoms 

Common symptoms of jaundice include: 

• The whites of the eyes are yellow due to the yellowing of the skin. 
• Pale stools 
• Dark urine 
• Itchiness 

The yellowish hue might begin on the baby’s head and extend all the way to the toes. 

People with darker skin may have less obvious jaundice. You’ll see the whites of the eyes the most clearly. 

Among the many signs and symptoms of jaundice are: 

• Vomiting 
• Fever 
• Fatigue 
• Abdominal pain 
• Weight loss 

Causes 

The most common cause of jaundice is an overproduction of bilirubin (hyperbilirubinemia). The yellow color of jaundice is caused by the breakdown of “used” red blood cells, which produce bilirubin. 

• Hepatitis or other liver infections 
• Hemolytic anemia 
• Certain medications 
• Gallstones or gallbladder cancer
• Excessive alcohol consumption. 
• Pancreatic cancer. 
• Hepatic cirrhosis (a condition in which scar tissue replaces good liver tissue). 

Treatment 

Treatment for jaundice depends on the source of the illness. 

Itching or pruritus can be caused by jaundice. People with mild pruritus can take antihistamines. If a person has moderate to severe pruritus, their doctor may give them cholestyramine or colestipol. 

When jaundice is a sign of liver damage, a liver transplant may be indicated. The severity of the injury will determine whether this is necessary. 

Prevention 

Jaundice is related to liver function. 

Several dietary and lifestyle modifications can help people take better care of their livers, including the following: 

• Eating a balanced diet 
• Exercise regularly
• Limiting alcohol consumption
• Exposure to toxic chemicals and other sources, both inhaled and handled, must be minimized 
• Managing medications carefully 

The Doral Wellness Center Gastroenterology (GI) and liver disease are experts in diagnosis and treatment. At Doral Health and Wellness, the experts can take care of your gut. Here are the services provided at Doral Health and Wellness 

• Colonoscopy
• Colon Cancer Screening
• Celiac Disease Treatment
• Sigmoidoscopy 
• Endoscopy

At Doral Health and Wellness, we have doctors that can help you manage your condition. For more information, you can visit us at 1797 Pitkin Avenue, Brooklyn, New York, 11212, or call us on 1-347-384-5690 or 1-347-868-1016. You can also visit our website at https://doralhw.org or contact us at info@doralhw.org if you have any queries.