Jaundice: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment Options

Table of Contents:

Understanding Jaundice

Jaundice is the term for the yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes. This happens because of a buildup of bilirubin, a yellow-orange pigment, in the blood. Typically, the liver filters bilirubin from the bloodstream and removes it in the stool. However, if there is too much bilirubin in the system or the liver is overloaded, it causes a condition known as hyperbilirubinemia, leading to jaundice.

Who Gets Jaundice?

Newborn babies are often affected by jaundice. About 60% of newborns develop jaundice within the first few days after birth. Adults can also get jaundice, although it is less common. If you think you have jaundice, it's essential to see a doctor immediately, as it could be a sign of problems with your liver, blood, or gallbladder.

Types of Jaundice

Jaundice can be classified into four main types based on where the bilirubin builds up in the body. A blood test can help determine which type you have.

Prehepatic Jaundice

This type occurs when bilirubin builds up before the blood enters the liver. There is an imbalance between the red blood cell breakdown rate and the liver's ability to handle bilirubin.

Hepatic Jaundice

Hepatic jaundice happens when the liver itself cannot process bilirubin effectively.

Posthepatic Jaundice

This type occurs when bilirubin builds up after passing through the liver, and the body cannot clear it quickly enough.

Obstructive Jaundice

Obstructive jaundice occurs when bile cannot drain into the intestines because of a blocked or narrowed bile or pancreatic duct. This type of jaundice can be severe and needs prompt treatment.

Symptoms of Jaundice

There may be no symptoms at all when jaundice is present, and when symptoms do manifest, they may be subtle or prominent, depending on the rate of deterioration. The most common symptom is yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes (scleral icterus). Other symptoms to watch for include:

• Fever
• Stomach pain
• Chills
• Dark urine
• Clay-coloured stools
• Flu-like symptoms
• Itchy skin
• Weight loss
• Irritability
• Confusion
• Unusual drowsiness
• Easy bruising or bleeding
• Bloody vomit

Duration of Jaundice in Adults

The duration of adult jaundice depends on its cause and the treatment required. If a medication causes it, stopping it can resolve jaundice. If hepatitis is the cause, medications can treat the condition. In cases of blocked bile ducts or gallstones, surgery may be necessary.

Causes of Jaundice

Jaundice in adults is rare, but it can occur for various reasons, including:

Hepatitis

Liver inflammation caused by a virus, autoimmune disorder, alcohol or drug use, or chemical exposure can lead to jaundice. Hepatitis can be acute (short-term) or chronic (lasting at least six months). Long-term inflammation can damage the liver, causing jaundice.

Alcohol-Related Liver Disease

Heavy drinking over many years can severely damage the liver. Two specific conditions, alcoholic hepatitis and alcoholic cirrhosis, can lead to jaundice.

Other Liver Diseases

Cirrhosis can also result from autoimmune diseases, genetic conditions, and hepatitis. A severe kind of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, known as nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, involves fat buildup and inflammation in the liver, causing damage over time.

Blocked Bile Ducts

These thin tubes carry bile from your liver and gallbladder to your small intestine. If they are blocked by gallstones, cancer, inflammation, or rare liver diseases, jaundice can occur.

Pancreatic Cancer

Jaundice can occur if the bile duct is blocked by pancreatic cancer. It is the 10th most common cancer in men and the ninth in women.

Certain Medications

Drugs like acetaminophen, penicillin, birth control pills, and steroids have been linked to liver disease, which can cause jaundice.

Blood Clots

Large blood clots (hematomas) under the skin can increase bilirubin levels if reabsorbed by the body.

Hemolytic Anemias

These conditions involve the destruction of red blood cells at a rate that increases bilirubin levels.

Diagnosing Jaundice:

Your doctor will perform a physical exam to look for enlarged liver tissue. They want information regarding your medical history and current symptoms to diagnose jaundice. Blood tests will measure bilirubin and cholesterol levels and provide a complete blood count (CBC). If you have jaundice, your bilirubin levels will be high.

To pinpoint the root of your jaundice and its severity, your doctor could request further diagnostic procedures, such as:

Hepatitis Panel

Blood testing for the presence of hepatitis A, B, and C. If there are no hepatitis antibodies in your blood, you don't have the condition or have it in the past, but your body has cleared it.

Liver Enzyme Tests

These tests check liver enzyme levels to assess its function. Abnormal enzyme levels can indicate liver disease or damage to the liver or bile ducts.

Imaging Tests

Imaging tests like CT scans, ultrasounds, or magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (an MRI type) can check for blocked ducts near the gallbladder.

Liver Biopsy

To diagnose liver illness or damage, this treatment requires surgical removal of a tiny portion of your liver. It can be done with a needle inserted into the belly, through a vein in the neck, or via a cut in the belly.

Prothrombin Time

This test determines the time required for blood plasma to form a clot. Blood is tested to see if it clots faster or slower than the normal range (10 to 13 seconds). Slow clotting may indicate liver problems.

Treatment Options for Jaundice

What causes jaundice determines how to treat it. Options include:

Medications: To treat infections or manage autoimmune disorders.

Stopping certain medications: If they are causing the jaundice.

Surgery: To remove blockages in bile ducts or gallstones.

Lifestyle changes: For instance, in cases of alcohol-related liver illness, cutting back on alcohol intake.

FAQS:

Que: What causes jaundice in adults?

Ans: Jaundice in adults can be caused by several conditions, including liver diseases such as hepatitis and cirrhosis, blocked bile ducts, alcohol-related liver disease, pancreatic cancer, certain medications, blood disorders like hemolytic anaemias, and large blood clots. The skin and eyes turn yellow due to an overabundance of bilirubin in the bloodstream, which occurs in many circumstances.

Que: How is jaundice diagnosed?

Ans: Jaundice is diagnosed through medical history, physical examination, and laboratory tests. Doctors will measure bilirubin levels in the blood and perform a complete blood count (CBC). Additional tests may include:

• A hepatitis panel.
• Liver enzyme tests.
• Imaging studies (CT scans or ultrasounds).
• Liver biopsy.
• Prothrombin time to assess blood clotting.

Que: What are the common symptoms of jaundice in adults?

Ans: Common symptoms of jaundice in adults include yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes, dark urine, clay-coloured stools, fever, stomach pain, chills, flu-like symptoms, itchy skin, weight loss, irritability, confusion, unusual drowsiness, easy bruising or bleeding, and bloody vomit. The underlying cause and the rate of progression of the ailment can affect the presence and severity of specific symptoms.

Que: How is jaundice treated?

Ans: Treatment for jaundice depends on its underlying cause. If jaundice is caused by a medication, stopping the medication can resolve it. Hepatitis-induced jaundice is treated with antiviral drugs. Blocked bile ducts or gallstones may require surgical intervention. For alcohol-related liver disease, lifestyle changes such as reducing alcohol intake are recommended. In all cases, addressing the root cause is crucial for effective treatment.

Conclusion:

Jaundice indicates something is wrong with your liver, blood, or bile ducts. See a doctor immediately if you notice yellowing of your skin or eyes. Prompt diagnosis and therapy can prevent serious problems and ensure improved health outcomes.