Jaundice

 Jaundice

Jaundice, is a term used to describe a yellowish tinge to the skin ,mucus membrane,and sclerae (the white part of the eye) that is caused by hyperbilirubinemia that means an excess of bilirubin in the blood resulting increase level of plasma. Body fluids may also be yellow. The color of the skin and sclerae varies depending on levels of bilirubin; mildly elevated levels show yellow skin and sclerae, highly elevated levels shows brown.
Bilirubin is a waste product that remains in the bloodstream after the iron is removed from the hemoglobin.It is done by the process called degradation of erythrocytes (cells that contain hemoglobin and can carry oxygen to the body). Excess of bilirubin is passed to the surrounding tissues, saturating them with this yellow substance.
Bilirubin is circulating freely in the blood is called unconjugated bilirubin. Once it present in the liver, other chemicals are combined with bilirubin, creating a substance called conjugated bilirubin, is formed in the bile and then excreted. Bilirubin is what gives feces its brown color.

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.

 causes of jaundice

These are the matters are mostly cause jaundice. They are,

• Acute inflammation of the liver - may impair the ability of the liver to conjugate and secrete bilirubin, resulting in a buildup of bilirubin.
• Inflammation of the bile duct - may prevent the secretion of bile and removal of bilirubin, causing jaundice.
• Obstruction of the bile duct - prevents the liver from disposing of bilirubin, which results in hyperbilirubinemia.
• Hemolytic anemia - Production of bilirubin increases when large quantities of erythrocytes are broken down.
• Cholestasis-a condition in which the flow of bile from the liver is interrupted. The bile containing conjugated bilirubin remains in the liver instead of being excreted.

symptoms of jaundice

Most common symptoms is yellowish in skin,and sclerae.Some of other symptoms includ

• Pruritis (itchiness)
• Fatigue
• Abdominal pain - typically indicates a blockage of the bile duct.
• Weight loss
• Vomiting
• Fever
• Paler than usual stools
• 
  
  Dark urine

Diagnosis of jaundice

Diagnosis of jaundice is depends upon the attention of abdomen. Doctors will be feeling for masses (tumors) in the abdomen and checking the firmnes of the liver; a firm liver indicates cirrhosis, while a rock-hard liver indicates cancer.

The severity of jaundice is determined by liver function test.
If the cause of your symptoms cannot be identified, your doctor may require blood tests to check levels of bilirubin and evaluate the composition of the blood. Some of these tests include:

• Bilirubin tests - a high level of unconjugated bilirubin relative to levels of conjugated bilirubin indicate hemolysis (accelerated break down of erythrocytes) 

• Full blood count (FBC), or complete blood count (CBC) - measures levels of erythrocytes (red blood cells), leukocytes (white blood cells), and thrombocytes (platelets).
• Hepatitis A, B, and C tests
  

If an obstruction of the liver is suspected, the liver's structure will be looked at with the help of imaging tests. Some of these tests include:

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) - uses magnetic signals to create image "slices" of the soft tissues of the human body. MRIs can also be manipulated in such a way that the cause and location of a bile duct obstruction can be identified.
• Abdominal ultrasonography (ultrasound) - uses high frequency sound waves to create a two-dimensional image of the soft tissues inside the human body. It is especially useful in identifying gallstones, although tumors and dilated bile ducts may also show.
• Computerized tomography (CT) scan, or computerized axial tomography (CAT) scan - uses a thin X-ray beam to create image "slices" of soft tissues in the body. It is especially useful in identifying tumors and dilated bile ducts.

A liver biopsy is particularly useful in checking for inflammation, cirrhosis, cancer, and fatty liver. This test involves injecting a needle through the skin and into the liver to obtain a sample of the tissue, which is examined under a microscope.

 Treatment for 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.

Prevention of jaundice

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.