Is Your Stomach Healthy? – Jaundice

The word "jaundice" often brings fear to many. If the eyes turn yellow or urine becomes yellowish, people immediately worry. What tests should be done? What treatment should be followed? Lets explore this in this weeks article.

Jaundice is not a disease! Its a symptom of an underlying condition.

The most important thing to understand is that jaundice itself is not a disease. Just like symptoms such as cold, fever, stomach pain, and constipation, jaundice is a sign that something else is wrong in the body. Tests and treatments must be directed toward the actual disease causing it. When that disease is treated, jaundice usually resolves on its own. Treating jaundice without identifying its cause can lead to complications and misdiagnosis.

How Jaundice Occurs

When red blood cells break down after their lifespan ends, they produce various byproducts, one of which is unconjugated bilirubin — a yellow pigment. This is converted into conjugated bilirubin in the liver, which is then excreted through bile into the intestine to aid digestion and is eliminated in stool, giving stool its yellow color. A part of it is also excreted through urine.

This is a normal process. Any disruption — from the breakdown of red cells to bilirubin excretion — can lead to a buildup of the pigment, causing jaundice, visible in the eyes, skin, and urine.

Types of Jaundice

Identifying the type of jaundice helps determine the appropriate treatment. Broadly, there are two types:

1. Medical Jaundice – Treatable with medication.
2. Surgical Jaundice – Requires surgery.

Simple blood tests can help identify the type, allowing further specific tests and targeted treatments.

Medical Jaundice

This type occurs due to problems before or at the liver level:

• Caused by conditions like fatty liver, viral infections (Hepatitis A & E), alcoholism, or obesity.
• The liver becomes unable to process bilirubin properly, leading to its accumulation in the blood.

Treating the underlying liver condition can usually cure this type. Traditional remedies like Indian gooseberry (amla) may help. However, if left untreated, permanent liver damage may occur, possibly leading to liver failure. Preventive steps include:

• Regular exercise
• Avoiding alcohol
• Getting vaccinated against hepatitis
• Avoiding contaminated water and blood transfusions

Surgical (Obstructive) Jaundice

In this type, the liver functions normally, but theres a blockage in the bile duct that prevents bile (and bilirubin) from reaching the intestine.

Signs include:

• Very yellow urine
• Pale (white) stools

Causes include:

• Gallstones
• Bile duct strictures
• Pancreatic or bile duct tumors
• Pancreatitis

Tests like endoscopy, CT scans, and MRIs help identify the blockage. Treatments include:

• Removing stones using endoscopy
• Surgery (laparoscopic or robotic) to remove tumors or fix the bile ducts

Early diagnosis is crucial to avoid serious complications like infections or emergencies due to bile buildup.

Other Causes

Other less common causes of jaundice include:

• Excessive red blood cell breakdown (hemolysis)
• Neonatal jaundice
• Disorders where copper or iron accumulate in the liver

All these need proper diagnosis and categorized treatment.

What the Public Should Know

Jaundice is a symptom, not a disease. Understanding its cause is key. Avoid panic and blind faith in myths. Early diagnosis and treatment can lead to full recovery and healthy living.