Symptoms and Treatment for Jaundice

1. Someone with jaundice is likely to have a yellow look to their skin and the whites of the eyes Jaundice is caused by a build-up of bilirubin in the blood and body tissue. That build-up is often due to conditions affecting the liver, such as cirrhosis, hepatitis or gallstones. If someone shows signs of jaundice, doctors will look to treat the condition that’s causing it rather than jaundice itself If you have signs of jaundice, seek medical advice. Symptoms of Jaundice As well as the classic yellow tinge to the skin and whites of the eyes, someone with jaundice may also have yellowing of mucous membranes in the mouth and nose. Some underlying conditions, which lead to jaundice, may feel like flu, and may also result in fever, chills, stomach pain, itching or weight-loss or be without an explanation such as a diet. Jaundice Treatment The treatment given to someone with jaundice will depend on what type they have, how serious it is and what caused it. It may include tackling an underlying condition such as malaria and bothersome symptoms, such as itching. For genetic conditions that don’t get better, like sickle cell anaemia, a blood transfusion may be given to replenish red blood cells in the body. If the bile duct system is blocked, an operation may be needed to unblock it. During these procedures measures may be taken to help prevent further problems, such as removal of the gallbladder. If the liver is found to be seriously damaged, a transplant may be an option.