Jaundice is the condition in which a yellow tinge starts appearing on the skin, whites of the eye and mucous membranes. It happens when the liver doesn’t function properly and the waste material, bilirubin builds up in the blood. With time, the colour may also change from yellow to green. While it can develop in people of all ages, newborns and older adults are more prone to the risk.

Some of the common symptoms of jaundice are:

• A yellow tinge to the skin and eyes
• Dark urine
• Pale stools
• Itchiness
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Vomiting
• Weight loss

Jaundice happens when there is too much of the yellow-orange substance, bilirubin, in the blood. It is present in the red blood cells and when these cells break, the bilirubin levels increase. Usually, the liver filters them out from the bloodstream but if it isn’t able to process them properly, bilirubin starts accumulating in the body. This condition is known as hyperbilirubinemia and it can cause your skin and eyes to look yellow.

Some of the conditions that can cause jaundice include:

• Gallstone disease
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Side effects of certain medicines
• Pancreatic cancer or gallbladder
• Hepatitis
• Liver infections
• Hemolytic anaemia

To prevent jaundice, it is imperative to keep your liver healthy. Certain lifestyle and dietary changes can help in taking care of your liver, such as:

Lifestyle changes

• Exercise regularly
• Avoid smoking, alcohol and other intravenous drugs
• Get vaccinated against hepatitis A and hepatitis B
• Manage your medicines carefully
• Manage your cholesterol
• Maintain good hygiene

Dietary changes

• Eat fibres and antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables like grapes, papaya, cranberries, citrus fruits, sweet potato, olives tomato, green leafy vegetables etc.
• Stay hydrated
• Drink herbal tea and coffee
• Include grains, nuts, legumes and lean proteins in your diet
• Avoid refined carbohydrates and packed&smoked foods

The following tests could be useful in jaundice confirmation:

• Liver function test(LFT)
• Bilirubin tests
• Complete blood count(CBC)
• MRI, CT-Scan, Ultrasounds
• Liver biopsy
• Hepatitis A, B, C

Jaundice doesn’t go away on its own. You will have to consult a doctor to get proper treatment. If your liver begins to heal, jaundice will go away on time, but in certain cases, surgery may be required.

The Centre for Liver & Digestive Sciences at Sarvodaya, backed by highly experienced gastroenterologists and state-of-the-art technology, delivers comprehensive treatment and care for a wide range of liver and other gastroenterological conditions.

Book your appointment online or call 18003131414