Jaundice: Symptoms, Prevention and Treatments
with Ayurvedic Approach
Jaundice, also known as Icterus, is a term used to
describe a yellowish tinge to the skin and sclerae (the white part of the eye)
that is caused by hyperbilirubinemia (an excess of bilirubin in the blood).
Body fluids may also be yellow. The color of the skin and sclerae varies
depending on levels of bilirubin; mildly elevated levels display yellow skin
and sclerae, while highly elevated levels display brown. Bilirubin (bil-ih-ROO-bin) is a yellow colored substance that is responsible for the yellowing of the skin and sclerae. Bilirubin is a waste product that remains in the bloodstream after the iron is removed from the hemoglobin, which is released from the degradation of erythrocytes (cells that contain hemoglobin and can carry oxygen to the body). When there is an excess of bilirubin it may leak out into surrounding tissues, saturating them with this yellow substance.
Bilirubin that is circulating freely in the blood is called unconjugated bilirubin. One of the liver's functions is to filter out waste, such as bilirubin, from the blood. Once it is in the liver, other chemicals latch on to the bilirubin, creating a substance called conjugated bilirubin, which is secreted in bile (a digestive juice released by the liver) and then excreted. Bilirubin is what gives feces its brown color.
The modern English word "jaundice" is derived from the middle French word jaunisse. Jaun means "yellow" and -isse means "-ness"; hence the middle French word jaunisse, which means "yellowness".
According to MediLexicon's medical dictionary, jaundice is:
"A yellowish staining of the integument, sclerae, deeper tissues, and excretions with bile pigments, resulting from increased levels in the plasma."
Three
main types of jaundice -
§
Hepatocellular jaundice - a type of jaundice that occurs as a result of liver
disease or injury.
§
Hemolytic jaundice - a type of jaundice that occurs as a result of hemolysis
(an accelerated breakdown of erythrocytes - red blood cells) leading to an
increase in production of bilirubin.
§
Obstructive jaundice - a type of jaundice that occurs as a result of an
obstruction in the bile duct (a system of tubes that carries bile from the
liver to the gallbladder and small intestine), which prevents bilirubin from
leaving the liver.
Symptoms
of jaundice -
The most pervasive sign of jaundice is a yellow tinge to
the skin and sclerae (whites of the eyes). This usually starts at the head and
spreads down the body.
Other symptoms of jaundice include:
Other symptoms of jaundice include:
§
Pruritis (itchiness)
§
Fatigue
§
Abdominal pain - typically indicates a
blockage of the bile duct.
§
Weight loss
§
Vomiting
§
Fever
§
Paler than usual stools
§
Dark urine
How
can jaundice be prevented?
Prevention depends on the disorder causing jaundice. You may not
be able to prevent some of the disorders. However, you can take the steps below
to decrease your chance of developing liver disease:
·
Limit your alcohol intake to no more than two
drinks a day for men or one drink a day for women.
·
Be careful in mixing drugs, especially
alcohol, with over-the-counter and prescription medicines.
·
Avoid exposure to industrial chemicals.
·
Do not use illegal drugs.
·
Do not share needles or nasal snorting
equipment.
·
Practice safe sex.
·
To decrease your risk of hepatitis A, get the
hepatitis A vaccine.
·
To decrease your risk of hepatitis B, get the
hepatitis B vaccine.
Jaundice is related to the function of the liver, so it is
essential that you maintain this vital organ's health by eating a balanced
diet, exercising at least 30 minutes five times a week, and refraining from
exceeding recommended amounts of alcohol.
Treatment
options for jaundice with Ayurvedic Approach-
Treatment of jaundice typically requires a diagnosis of the
specific cause in order to select suitable treatment options. Treatment would
target the specific cause, rather than the jaundice itself.
Anemia-induced jaundice may be treated by increasing the amount of iron in the blood; either by taking iron-supplements or eating more iron-rich foods.
Hepatitis-induced jaundice may be treated with anti-viral or steroid medications.
Obstruction-induced jaundice may be treated via surgery to remove the obstruction.
Medication-induced jaundice is treated by selecting an alternative medication and by discontinuing medications that caused jaundice.
Anemia-induced jaundice may be treated by increasing the amount of iron in the blood; either by taking iron-supplements or eating more iron-rich foods.
Hepatitis-induced jaundice may be treated with anti-viral or steroid medications.
Obstruction-induced jaundice may be treated via surgery to remove the obstruction.
Medication-induced jaundice is treated by selecting an alternative medication and by discontinuing medications that caused jaundice.
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