Jaundice is a Deadly Disease

Jaundice is a derivation of ‘jaune’, a French word meaning yellow. It refers to the yellow pigmentation of skin, membranes over the sclerae and other mucous membranes which is caused by ‘hyperbilirubinemia’. Hyperbilirubinemia is a stage where the level of bilirubin increases dramatically in the blood. The concentration of this in blood plasma at higher levels leads to jaundice. In earlier times it was called ‘morbus regius’ and people believed that it could be cured by the touch of a king. It can be a symptom for other health ailments too. Such high levels can lead to deafness, cerebral palsy or other forms of brain damage and thyroid as well. This is considered to be a liver disease such as hepatitis or liver cancer and can also indicate about any obstruction in the biliary tract. The discoloration of skin mainly occurs on palms, soles and face. Inflamation and other abnormalities of liver hinders the excretion of bilirubin into bile. In this disease at times there is an excess breakdown of red blood cells (RBCs) known as hemolysis. As soon as this happens excess amount of bilirubin gets released in blood leading to it. It is common in newborn babies because their liver is not fully developed to handle all functions. ‘Gilbert’s Syndrome’ is one disease where a mild jaundice occurs in a patient.

Symptoms of it appear from time to time. When it’s a severe case the skin will become pale yellow along with sclera, in some cases they may look brown too. The color of mouth also gets yellow and urine becomes dark or brown colored while stools become pale and clay colored in nature. Other symptoms can be excess fatigue and weight loss. Hepatitis may produce vomitting, fatigue and nausea. There are lots of common types of jaundice which has plagued every country or nation for decades together. Physiological jaindice, jaundice in premature babies, through breast feeding, therough breast milk and complications In blood group compatibility. Physiological jaundice occurs in mosly newborns which leads to the slow processing of bilirubin. The duration of it is 2 to 4 days and it disappears within 1 to 2 weeks. Premature babies are vulnerable to jaundice and it happens quite frequently. If an infant doesn’t get enogh of mother’s milk to drink it can develop symptoms which can lead to jaundice.

Many a times it even happens after the intake of mother’s milk. Usually such cases are a rarity, it starts in 3 to 5 days and gradually improves over 3 to 12 weeks. The problem of incompatibility can start as early as the first day of birth; this is the most severe form of it and is life-threatening too. This problem can be evaded by giving an injection of Rh immuno globuin to the mother within 72 hours of delievery which will prevent any formation of antibodies during any future childbirths.

There are lots of tests which will be done for any individual suffering through jaundice. Hepatitis virus panel, liver function tests, complete blood count tests, abdominal ultrasound and CT scan, liver biopsy, chelosterol check up and prothrombin time are some of the major tests which are usually done. Another vital factor for recovery is strict diet chart. High calorie and carbohydrate rich foods should be absolutely avoided, boiled water should always be ideal to drink, junk food and spicy eatables should not be eaten at any cost and lots of fruits and vegetables should be taken with full hygenic sense in mind. This is not an ordinary disease which can be taken for granted, if taken it can finish off a life within a whiff of time. It is avised to all to take good care of themselves and reamin healthy.