Introduction to Jaundice:
Jaundice is generally distinguished by the yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes or sclera. This is caused by the increase or gathering of a waste product known as bilirubin in the blood. The yellowish coloring of the skin and the sclera may vary based on the amount of the chemical in the blood. In some cases if the chemical level is too high, the color of the skin will become brown and not yellow. Jaundice is considered not just an ailment but, a gateway to many other contributing diseases.
Jaundice Causes and Signs:
Jaundice is caused by high levels of bilirubin in the blood. It is important that we understand the basic jaundice symptoms and the root cause as to how this component is being sent off into our blood stream. Bilirubin mainly gets along the blood stream with the help of the red blood cells. These cells get naturally botched when they become old. As the blood cells play the role of a bridge for haemoglobin, an iron content which carries oxygen to the blood, is then released from the spoiled cells. Bilirubin is then formed as a result of the removal of iron.
Some other symptoms of jaundice include itching, which at times can be unrelenting, as well as by nausea, vomiting, headache, fever, dark-colored urine, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, abdominal swelling, and light-colored stools.
Jaundice symptoms can also be seen in the liver too. It plays a very important role in developing jaundice. The main purpose of the liver is the removal of waste products from the blood stream. As discussed earlier, bilirubin is a waste product of red blood cells. Similarly, if the functioning of the liver is jeopardized by this bilirubin, jaundice can result. Likewise, the liver must be eliminating bilirubin from the blood stream and excrete it through the faeces. Whenever there is too much of waste products for the liver to remove or when the red blood cells get affected, jaundice occurs. Finally, obstruction in the bile ducts can curtail the flow of bile and bilirubin to decrease.
Jaundice in newborns is very usual these days. The yellowing of the skin and other tissues of an infant child is known as neonatal jaundice. Appearance of bilirubin level in infants is 85umol/l (5mg/dL). Similarly, jaundice in adults has been common for a quite long time. In adults , the bilirubin level is about 34umol/l (2mg/dL). Jaundice can be observed in newborns is identified by discoloring of the skin with digital pressure so that it unveils the underlying skin and subcutaneous tissue.
Diagnosis and Remedies of jaundice that can be followed:
Computerized Tomography (CT or CAT scans):
Computerized Tomography or CT scans are scans that utilize x-rays to analyze the soft tissues of the abdomen. Although they are considered not as effective as ultrasonography in identifying gallstones, they do prove efficient in identifying tumors in the liver and the pancreas and dilated bile ducts.
Ultrasonography:
Ultrasonography is an uncomplicated, secure and easily-accessible test which employs sound waves to analyze the organs within the abdomen. Disclosure of gallstones, tumors in the liver or the pancreas, and dilated bile ducts caused due to obstruction can be found out by ultrasound examination or ultrasonography.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI):
Magnetic resonance imaging scans examines the soft tissues of the abdomen by the application of magnetization of the body. They are quite acknowledging like CT in the determination of tumors and studying of bile ducts. MRI scans can be changed to locate the bile ducts better than CT scan tests.
Disease Symptoms 