What is Jaundice?

Jaundice is recognised by a yellowing of the skin and eye whites produced by an excess of bilirubin in the blood. Bilirubin is a yellowish substance formed by the breakdown of red blood cells. Normally, the liver eliminates bilirubin from the blood and excretes it in bile, a fluid that aids in fat digestion. Bilirubin can accumulate in the blood and produce jaundice if the liver is not functioning properly or if the bile ducts get blocked.

Yellow skin and white eyes, black urine, and pale faeces are all symptoms of jaundice. A range of illnesses, including liver disease, hepatitis, and pancreatic cancer, can induce jaundice. If you have jaundice symptoms, you should consult a doctor right once because they can indicate a serious underlying disease. Jaundice treatment may include drugs to help the liver function normally or surgery to eliminate bile duct blockages.

The following are some of the possible underlying conditions and causes of jaundice:

• adverse effects of specific drugs
• excessive alcohol consumption
•  gallstone disease
• Cirrhosis is a condition in which scar tissue replaces healthy tissue in the liver, gallbladder, or pancreas.
• hepatitis or other liver infections
• anaemia caused by hemolysis

Bilirubin levels rise as red blood cells naturally degrade. Normally, the liver filters this waste material from the bloodstream and converts it to a new form known as conjugated bilirubin. The new form then leaves the body in the form of a person’s faeces.

Bilirubin can build up in the body if there is too much for the liver to handle. Hyperbilirubinemia is what creates the yellow tint in the skin and eyes.