Jaundice can make people suspicious of their health because it leaves your skin and eyes yellow in color. You must not take it lightly and understand the causes, symptoms, and jaundice treatment options to manage this condition easily. This blog will help you know the same in detail.

What is Jaundice?

Jaundice is a medical condition in which your skin, eyes, and body’s fluid color changes from white to yellow. It is not a disease but an indication of an underlying health condition. This happens when the red blood cells start to die, leaving behind bilirubin, a yellow-orange pigment in your blood.

Bilirubin is eliminated from the circulation by the liver and ends up in your stool. Hyperbilirubinemia is an accumulation that occurs when your liver is overworked or when your system has too much of it. It is very common in babies, and almost 60% of babies get infected with icterus, one of the types of jaundice, within the first few days of their birth.

Jaundice in adults can also happen, although it is very uncommon. You must visit a doctor if you feel you have this medical condition. It could be a starting health problem related to blood, liver, or gallbladder.

Symptoms of Jaundice

One of the primary jaundice symptoms is the discoloration of the skin and eyes into yellow. In newborn babies, this symptom can be seen between 1 and 4 days after their birth. The yellow color first starts to appear on the face and moves to the chest. Babies and people with severe jaundice may also experience being tired, exhausted, irritated, and unable to eat correctly.

Some other symptoms include:

  • Fever
  • Light-colored stool
  • Chills
  • Dark-colored urine
  • Abdominal pain
  • Flu-like symptoms

What Causes Jaundice?

The leading jaundice causes is the increased levels of bilirubin in the body. This level rises when the liver is not able to function correctly and eliminate it. There can be several reasons for high bilirubin in the body that your doctor can tell during examination. It can also be caused because of liver failure or any other liver disease.

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Jaundice Treatment

If you feel you have jaundice you can always visit a doctor and get yourself checked. Your doctor will suggest the best treatment option with proper medication. Besides, there are many home remedies for jaundice treatment that people have been using for ages with essential household ingredients. 

Some of them may help in flushing out excessive bilirubin and promoting healthy liver functions without any side effects. Your doctor will also advise you to eat a diet that is good for jaundice patients, as whatever they eat or drink can directly impact their liver.

Newborn babies generally need no treatment as the bilirubin level is mostly low. The condition improves within 10-14 days and does not harm the child. You must consult your doctor again if the condition doesn’t improve in 2 weeks. They may advise for further tests to rule out any other underlying health issues.

In case there is no improvement and the levels increase, patients are admitted to the hospital and may be advised for exchange transfusion or phototherapy. These treatments are mostly suggested to newborn babies to avoid a severe complication called kernicterus that may damage the brain.

Bottom Line

Jaundice is a liver situation with increased bilirubin levels in the blood. It makes the skin, mouth, and eyes turn yellow. It is common in newborns, and breastfeeding them is an effective jaundice treatment option. Besides, natural sunlight can treat jaundice in both infants and adults. Other natural treatments for jaundice include changing one’s diet by including sugarcane juice, papaya leaf paste, black cumin, amla, babul, and mint tea.