Jaundice is one of the common and frequently encountered ailments. As opposed to common belief, Jaundice is only a symptom and not a disease. It is caused by excessive accumulation of the pigment known as “Bilirubin” which is a derivative of hemoglobin in the blood. Even though liver problems are the most common cause of Jaundice, not all cases of Jaundice necessarily have to be that.
- Defect in blood: Excessive lyses of blood, kidney failure, defective blood transfusion etc.
- Defect in liver: Defective clearance of ‘Bilirubin’ by the liver from the blood, defective processing of ‘Bilirubin’ in the liver or defective erection of processed ‘Bilirubin’ by the liver into bile. These problems are commonly caused by either genetic defects, infections, alcohol or drugs.
- Defective transport: Defective transportation of bile from the liver to intestines, thus leading to backflow of ‘Bilirubin’ into the blood. These problems are commonly caused by stones, worms or cancer.
Symptoms:
- Abdominal pain
- Abdominal detention
- Yellow discoloration of eyes/urine
- Fever with or without chills/Itching
- Loss of appetite / Weight loss