Tired with yellow eyes? 10 things to knows about jaundice: Causes, symptoms and management
Jaundice is yellowish discoloration of skin, sclera, and mucous membranes caused by raised bilirubin. It may be haemolytic, hepatocellular, or obstructive. Causes include liver disease, drugs, infections, and pregnancy-related obstruction. Symptoms range from pallor, dark urine, and clay stools to itching and bleeding tendencies. Diagnosis uses liver function tests and imaging.
What is jaundice? Yellowish pigmentation of the skin and mucous membrane, along with the sclera (the white, protective layer of the eyeball), is known as jaundice. It occurs as a result of raised bilirubin levels in the bloodstream. Bilirubin is a yellowish substance that is formed during the breakdown of the red blood cells.(Image: Canva)
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Why eyes look yellow The eyes often look yellow in jaundice because the sclera is rich in elastic tissue, and it has been found to have a special affinity with bilirubin. In a normal adult, the bilirubin levels range from 0.3 to 1.2 mg/dl. Clinically, jaundice becomes obvious when the serum bilirubin levels are above 2.0-2.5 mg/dl.(Image: Canva)
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Jaundice versus carotenemia Jaundice must not be confused with carotenemia. While carotenemia can cause yellowish pigmentation of the skin, it does not affect the sclera. Excessive consumption of carotene-rich foods like carrots or sweet potatoes can lead to carotenemia.(Image: Canva)
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Causes of jaundice Jaundice may occur due to diseases that are haemolytic (cause increased breakdown of the red blood cells), hepatocellular (related to liver problems) or obstructive (difficulty in the secretion of bile). Conditions like vitamin B12 or folate deficiency can also lead to jaundice.(Image: Canva)
Liver diseases and jaundice Diseases of the liver like viral hepatitis (inflammation of the liver cells), hepatitis developing due to increased alcohol consumption, or long-term hepatitis can all lead to jaundice. Consumption of certain medications like sulfasalazine, rifampicin, or erythromycin can also cause jaundice.(Image: Canva)
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Obstructive jaundice causes Obstructive jaundice may occur due to various causes like severe bacterial infections, alcohol consumption, certain drugs and cirrhosis of the liver. Pregnancy may also increase the risk of intra-hepatic obstruction, thus resulting in yellowish discolouration of the skin and mucous membrane.(Image: Canva)
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Associated signs and symptoms The person may show some pallor due to anemia, and the size of the liver and the spleen may be increased. Gall stones may also be seen in some people. The stools appear dark in colour in case of haemolytic jaundice. Urine may also turn dark yellow.(Image: Canva)
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Obstructive jaundice features Obstructive jaundice is also called surgical jaundice, as the cause most often requires some surgical intervention. The affected individual may experience intense itching all over the body, as the bile salts saponify the fat that is present around the nerve endings.(Image: Canva)
Other clinical symptoms Other symptoms include pale or clay-coloured stools and dark urine. The person may also have a reduced heart rate, and other symptoms like fever with chills and rigor, weight loss, and bleeding tendencies (due to vitamin K deficiency, as this vitamin is stored in the liver).(Image: Canva)
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Investigations and management A liver function test is often advised, along with other investigations like a complete blood count, serum bilirubin levels, urine routine and microscopy, stool examination and an ultrasonography. In case of obstructive jaundice, surgery may be needed. (Image: Canva) Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for specific health diagnosis
Rajeshwaari Kalla is a freelance health and wellness writer
