Do I Have Jaundice?

Do you know what causes jaundice?

Is your urine dark in color?

Do you feel unbearable itchiness?

Does your newborn baby have jaundice?

Are there any tests involved?

Does diet play a role in recovery?

Can jaundice be prevented?

Bilirubin is a yellow color material that remains in your bloodstream after iron is removed from it. When this blood reaches the liver, all the waste including extra bilirubin is removed from the body. But if the bilirubin is present in excess amounts, it can reach the surrounding tissues and this is what causes the yellow color in your skin and eyes. In other words, if your liver is unable to remove bilirubin from your system or if it is present due to other reasons, it leads to jaundice.

While dark-colored urine alone may not indicate jaundice, it is one of the major symptoms that can tell you that everything is not well with your liver. If this is accompanied by pale yellow stools or yellow coloring on your eyes and skin, you have jaundice.

Itchiness is another major symptom of jaundice. Many times, it will be so intense that you scratch your skin till it becomes raw and it can even trigger thoughts of suicide, especially if the itching goes beyond control.

Studies show that around 60 percent of newborn babies have jaundice and this number increases to 80 percent if a baby is born before 37 weeks of pregnancy. Though it is a common health issue, it has to be treated immediately, failing which could lead to a rare disease called kernicterus that can cause permanent brain damage.

Your doctor will most likely ask you to take a few tests such as a bilirubin test to check the amount of bilirubin in your blood. You'll also be asked to take a full blood count test and hepatitis A, B, and C tests. MRI and ultrasound scans may also be necessary if the doctor suspects some obstruction in your liver. In extreme cases, a liver biopsy may be done.

Diet plays a big role in recovery. The doctor will give a custom nutrition plan that will include lots of water, fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, herbal teas, nuts, and lean proteins. Sugary and processed foods should be avoided at all costs.

A healthy diet, regular exercise, and reduced amounts of alcohol can keep jaundice at bay. Anything that increases stress on your liver should be avoided.

Sometimes, jaundice can occur due to rare conditions like Crigler-Najjar disease and Dubin-johnson syndrome. Both of these are inherited conditions that impede the body from secreting the specific enzymes necessary for processing bilirubin. This can happen even if you have a healthy lifestyle. So, if this condition runs in your family, stay on top of your health, and keep an eye out for possible symptoms.