Jaundice is not a disease. It is a clinical
presentation of the increased amount of bilirubin in blood. The underlying
reason for the increase in bilirubin is the disease. Bilirubin is a breakdown product of red cell
destruction, which is normally present in the body at a normal range of
0.2-1.0mg/dl. General metabolism of
bilirubin occurs in the liver. Any disruption in the process of movement of
bilirubin from the blood to the liver and then out of the body will result in
jaundice.
Jaundice is
categorized into three types. Pre-hepatic jaundice, which occurs due to increased destruction of
red cells. Hepatic jaundice, which occurs
due to liver cell damage and Post-hepatic jaundice, which occurs due to obstruction in the flow
of bile. Most commonly we will suspect jaundice when we notice a yellowish
tinge in our eyes or nail beds along with dark yellow urine. But do you know that these symptoms occur when
the amount of bilirubin is already greater than the renal threshold?
Jaundice has more diverse clinical presentations
which we may avoid or leave unnoticed. Knowing these
symptoms will help you to know that whether you have jaundice in its early
stage itself. This is most helpful if jaundice occurs as an epidemic in your
place. Where increased bilirubin gives the ‘yellow colour symptoms’, other
symptoms depend mainly on the underlying cause of jaundice. Here are some
common warning-signs of increased bilirubin in adults that we generally fail to
identify as the symptoms of jaundice.
Yellow
urine: Even though this is a common presentation of
jaundice, we may ignore it in certain cases because dark yellow urine can be
seen in dehydration as well. Decreased water intake will concentrate urine. But
suspect jaundice if it is yellow with a brown tinge.
Yellow
skin and eye: Slight yellow colour may not be
noticeable in persons with dark coloured skin. Sometimes chances are there to
consider it as skin getting pale due to anaemia.
Abdominal pain:
Pain in the right side of the stomach just below
the rib case and possibly extending to the upper back may be an indication of
jaundice due to liver cell damage or gall stones. The liver will become
palpable if it is enlarged.
Joint
pain: Joint pain can occur due to many reasons. So, we
may not associate it with jaundice. If you have joint pain along with other
symptoms that are related to jaundice, then consult your physician.
Loss
of appetite: Loss of appetite is also an associated
symptom of jaundice, which is usually left unnoticed. If this persists along
with vomiting and yellow urine, you should suspect jaundice.
Vomiting:
Vomiting can occur due to various reasons. But, if you have nausea or vomiting
when there is an epidemic of hepatitis, chances are more for you to have an
increase in bilirubin.
Itching:
Itching occurs with the obstructive kind of jaundice where the bile duct is
blocked, which fails in providing bile for the metabolism of bilirubin. This
results in itching all over the body.
Temperature:
Increased temperature is found associated with jaundice which we may ignore
considering as a general symptom. Fever with chills are related to jaundice.
Clay
coloured stool: In case of obstructive jaundice, stool
can become lighter in colour or most commonly clay-coloured. This occurs due to
the obstruction of bilirubin that normally gives stool its brown color when get
converted to its final product, stercobilinogen.
Weakness:
The early phase of hepatitis A presents with nonspecific weakness. If you feel
weak for two weeks with other symptoms of increased bilirubin, do not avoid it.
My article in: http://www.boldsky.com/health/disorders-cure/2013/symptoms-jaundice-we-ignore-032970.html
Regards
Asha Das
.
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