Jaundice

Jaundice is a condition in which the skin, whites of the eyes and mucous membranes turn yellow because of a high level of bilirubin, a yellow-orange bile pigment. Jaundice has many causes, including hepatitis, gallstones and tumors. In adults, jaundice usually doesn't need to be treated.

WHAT IS JAUNDICE ?

Jaundice is described as yellow discolouration of the eyes, which may be accompanied by deep yellow coloured urine. Usually patients have decreased appetite. Jaundice per se is a symptom but not a disease.

THERE ARE MANY CAUSES OF JAUNDICE

• Hepatic causes ( inflammation in liver )
• Post Hepatic causes ( obstructive causes )

Hepatic Causes / Hepatitis :

Inflammation in the liver is hepatitis and is the most common cause of jaundice. The common causes of hepatitis are

(A) VIRAL HEPATITIS ( HEPATITIS A, B, C, & E )

This is the most common cause of jaundice in the community. In majority of patients the disease has got a self- limiting course. Very few patients have a fatal course and need for hospitalization. Hepatitis B & C are transmitted via infected blood and the liver completely recovers, However, some patients of HEPATITIS B & C GO INTO CHRONIC HEPATITIS AND CIRRHOSIS.

How can Hepatitis B and C be prevented

HEPATITIS A & B can be prevented by VACCINATING the person against it. There is no vaccine to prevent hepatitis C. Hepatitis B and C can be prevented by using SAFE AND SCREENED BLOOD, which is negative for these viruses.

(B) ALCOHOLIC HEPATITIS

Alcoholic hepatitis is caused by EXCESS DRINKING of alcohol for a prolonged period of more than 10 years. This is a serious condition and can lead to complications which can be:

• Jaundice
• Blood in vomiting.
• Black colured stools.
• Swelling of feet and abdomen.
• Coma

This condition can be prevented by limiting the quantity of alcohol intake to 2-3 pegs/ day. Those who drink daily should refrain from drinking at least 2 days in a week. This gives time for the liver torecover from the toxic effects of alcohol.

OBSTRUCTIVE CAUSES

• The Common causes of obstructive jaundice are:
• Stone in the bile duct.
• Cancer of the pancreas.
• Cancer of the bile duct and the gall bladder.