Jaundice is a yellow coloration which occurs on the skin and the whites of the eyes (sclera), which is caused by high levels or bile pigment bilirubin in the blood.
Disposal of red blood cells that are old or damaged from the blood stream conducted by the bile. During this process, the hemoglobin (the part of red blood cells that carries oxygen) will be broken down into bilirubin. Bilirubin is then taken into the liver and dumped into the intestine as part of bile. If the disposal process is disrupted, then the excessive bilirubin will enter the bloodstream and eventually causing jaundice.
High levels of bilirubin in the blood can occur in
- Inflammation or abnormalities of the liver that interfere with the process of deportation to bile
- Blockage bile ducts outside the liver by gallstones or tumorssolving a large number of red blood cells, commonly occurs in newborns who experienced jaundice
Symptoms of jaundice of the skin and the whites of the eyes would look yellow. Generally dark-colored urine due to the bilirubin excreted through the kidneys. Other symptoms may appear depending on the cause, for example
- Liver inflammation (hepatitis) can cause loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and fever
- Biliary obstruction can cause symptoms of cholestasis
If the cause was liver disease (eg viral hepatitis), jaundice usually disappears in line with improvements in disease. But if the cause is a blockage in the bile duct, usually surgery or endoscopy will be done as soon as possible to open a clogged the channel.
Source:info-sehat.com
