Jaundice, Jaundice Treatment, Treatment for Jaundice

What is jaundice?

Jaundice is the yellowish discoloration of the eyes (sclera) & skin (advanced cases). Scientifically speaking it is the condition associated with abnormally high levels of bilirubin.

Jaundice means the yellowing of skin and whites of the eyes caused due to the high level of pigment bilirubin in the body. It is the most common liver disorder that results from an obstruction in the bile duct or the loss of function of the bile producing liver cells. The person becomes very weak in jaundice. Bile is a vital digestive fluid that is essential for proper nutrition.

Jaundice
Treatment

All jaundice-associated conditions require medical diagnosis and treatment. In some cases, the only treatment needed may be observation, but ALWAYS consult with your health care provider.

If it is caused by hepatitis you might need to start taking tablets, but not all types of hepatitis can be treated.

If it is caused by taking particular drugs, your doctor might prescribe an alternative.

If it is caused by an obstruction such as a gallstone or a tumour, you may need to have surgery.

PTC is a procedure to X-ray the hepatic and common bile ducts to find the point of obstruction. It is followed by a surgical procedure called percutaneous biliary drainage. A tiny cut is made into the skin over the liver, and a small tube called a drain is placed into the blocked bile duct to keep it open. The bile can then drain away into a bag outside your body. A few days later, the drain will be removed and replaced by a stent. This will allow the bile to drain internally, in the normal way.

Light therapy, also called phototherapy, which chemically breaks down the bilirubin in your baby's skin to non-toxic forms, is the usual treatment for jaundice. During this treatment, your baby is placed under special white or blue light for one to two days. Their eyes will be covered to protect them from the bright lights.

Jaundice is a condition in which a person's skin or whites of the eyes have a yellow discoloration. A person with jaundice may also have dark urine and light stool. Jaundice occurs when bilirubin, a substance produced by the liver, builds up in the blood. Normally, bilirubin travels from the liver down the bile duct and passes through the pancreas just before emptying into the first section of the small intestine, called the duodenum. If a tumor blocks the bile duct, bilirubin backs up into the liver, then spills into the blood. This causes a person to become noticeably yellow, or jaundiced.

The most common treatment for jaundice is phototherapy. This consists of special light that changes the form of bilirubin, making it easier for the body to dispose of the bilirubin. Though the treatment is safe and rarely produces complications, premature babies will likely be given special eye patches to protect the eyes during phototherapy. White, blue, or green coloured lights are shone down on the baby with as much exposure of skin as possible. The baby’s blood will be tested to check that the level of the bilirubin is going down. A reduction in bilirubin level can be seen in as little as four to six hours.