Jaundice

INTRODUCTION OF JUNDICE

the liver function in converting bilirubin into a conjugated-water soluble material by combining with certain chemicals. This conjugated-water soluble material is then secreted by bile duct into urine and feces. This bilirubin is the substance responsible for giving the characteristic yellow color to the feces.

However, due to the hemolysis and other condition when the number of degraded red blood cells increases in liver and biliary system, it ultimately results in the increased level of bilirubin in the blood.

DEFINITION OF JAUNDICE

Jaundice is a very frequent and commonly occurring medical condition nowadays, and usually observed in infants, children and sometimes in adults.

It results in the yellow discoloration of the eye (sclera), skin and urine. It is due to the condition called Hyperbilirubinemia, where the level of bilirubin increase in the blood.

Like the other waste material which gets excreted through urine, Bilirubin is also a waste material of degradation of hemoglobin. But being insoluble in water bilirubin is incapable of excreting through urine.

TYPES OF JAUNDICE

Basically, there are three types of jaundice, on the basis of given pathological conditions:

Hepatocellular jaundice – It is due to liver disease.
Obstructive jaundice – It is caused due to abnormalities or biliary tract obstruction caused due to stones.
Hemolytic jaundice – It is caused due to increased hemolysis.

CAUSES OF JAUNDICE

Hepatitis.
Liver cirrhosis.
Abnormalities in the bile duct.
Gallstone obstructions.
Symptoms and Signs of jaundice include vomiting, fever, loss of weight, abdominal pain, pruritus (itchiness), pale stools and dark urine is also observed.

DIAGNOSIS OF JAUNDICE

Diagnosis of Jaundice is done by checking the bilirubin level in blood, Hepatic/
Hepatocellular, Pre-hepatic/ hemolytic, Post-Hepatic/ cholestatic, complete
blood count (CBC),
Ultrasound scan,
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP),
MRI, and Hepatitis A, B, and C.
Liver biopsy is also done in severe cases to know the cirrhosis, possibilities of inflammation, and malignancies.

TREATMENT OF JAUNDICE

Treatment includes antiviral drugs and steroids, according to the percentage of infection.
Even patients are treated with surgical interventions in case of obstructive jaundice.
Key difference between Hepatitis and Jaundice:
Hepatitis is the infection of the liver, mainly due to viral, parasitic, or bacterial attack.
On the other hand, Jaundice is caused due to the presence of bilirubin in higher quantity in blood. Bilirubin is a yellow color pigment that body makes from degradation of hemoglobin.
It results in the discoloration of eyes, skin, nails, and urine into yellow color.
Hepatitis is a disease, while jaundice is a symptom and sign of disease.
Hepatitis results in the attack of the hepatitis virus and ultimately damaging the liver tissue; The main cause of jaundice is the increased level of bilirubin pigment in the blood and thus affecting the eye, skin, etc.