Jaundice: An Overview of the Medical Condition

Jaundice is a disease characterized by the yellowing of sclera (the white part of your eyes) and skin. This occurs due to the occurrence of high levels of chemical bilirubin in the blood. Mild jaundice shows as a yellow color whereas severe jaundice appears as brown color.

Red blood cells contain an iron containing chemical called hemoglobin. When RBCs grow old they are destroyed and the hemoglobin is released into the blood sans iron content. This new chemical is called bilirubin. The liver not only secretes bile to the intestines for fat digestion but it also removes toxins and wastes including bilirubin from the blood.

In the liver the bilirubin is conjugated and the resulting acid is secreted in bile juice. This conjugated bilirubin is excreted through feces. Obstruction of the bile ducts that release bile to the intestines, malfunctioning of the liver and release of excessive bilirubin into the blood which is beyond the liver’s eliminating capacity all lead to jaundice. Diseases like hemolytic anemia and liver affecting aliments of typhoid, malaria, yellow fever and tuberculosis may also cause this condition.

Neonatal jaundice is jaundice in newborn infants due to rise in bilirubin levels that occur in the first few days after birth. After birth destruction of the fetal RBCs occurs accompanied by their substitution by non fetal RBCs. The baby’s liver is overloaded and jaundice is caused.

Pathological jaundice comes with a health risk and is found in adults and children due to diseases, medications, blood incompatibilities, genetic syndromes, blood diseases, cirrhosis, hepatitis, bile duct blockages etc.

Physical examination may reveal masses in the abdomen that indicate metastatic cancer affecting the liver causing jaundice. Rock hard liver signals liver cancer and enlarged liver means cirrhosis. Blood tests that measure bilirubin also help diagnose jaundice.

Elevations of liver tests also can signify the disease. Ultrasonography using sound to check the abdominal organs can indicate gall stones/tumors obstructing the bile ducts. MRI scans, CT scans, endoscopic ultrasounds and liver biopsies can also reveal gall stones, tumors and liver ailments.

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