JAUNDICE
What is jaundice?
Bilirubin (bil-ih-ROO-bin) is a yellow-colored substance that is responsible for the yellowing of the skin and sclerae in jaundice.
Bilirubin is a waste product that remains in the bloodstream after iron is removed from hemoglobin in red blood cells. When there is an excess of bilirubin, it can leak out into surrounding tissues, saturating them with this yellow substance. Bilirubin that is circulating freely in the blood is called unconjugated bilirubin.
One of the liver's functions is to filter out waste, such as bilirubin, from the blood.
Once bilirubin is in the liver, other chemicals are latched on to it, creating a substance called conjugated bilirubin, which is secreted in bile (a digestive juice released by the liver) and then excreted. A product of bilirubin is what gives feces its brown color.
Causes of jaundice
Jaundice most often occurs as a result of an underlying disorder that either causes overproduction of bilirubin or prevents the liver from disposing of it, both of which result in bilirubin being deposited in tissues.
- Acute inflammation of the liver - may impair the ability of the liver to conjugate and secrete bilirubin, resulting in a buildup.
- Inflammation of the bile duct - may prevent the secretion of bile and removal of bilirubin, causing jaundice.
- Obstruction of the bile duct - prevents the liver from disposing of bilirubin.
- Hemolytic anemia - production of bilirubin increases when large quantities of red blood cells are broken down.
- Gilbert's syndrome - an inherited condition that impairs the ability of enzymes to process the excretion of bile.
Symptoms of jaundice
- Yellow tinge to the skin and the whites of the eyes, normally starting at the head and spreading down the body
- Pruritis (itchiness)
- Fatigue
- Abdominal pain - typically indicates a blockage of the bile duct
- Weight loss
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Paler than usual stools
- Dark urine
No comments:
Post a Comment