Jaundice causes and symptoms
Understanding Jaundice: What You Need to Know
What Is Jaundice?
Jaundice is a condition characterized by the yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes. This occurs when bilirubin, a yellow-orange pigment in the blood, builds up. When red blood cells break down, they release bilirubin, which the liver typically processes and removes through stool. However, when too much bilirubin is present or the liver becomes overwhelmed, the buildup in the bloodstream causes hyperbilirubinemia, resulting in jaundice.
Newborns often develop jaundice, with approximately 60% showing signs (also known as icterus) within a few days after birth. Adults can develop jaundice as well, though less frequently. Jaundice in adults may signal issues with the liver, gallbladder, or blood, so it’s important to see a doctor if you notice yellowing of the skin or eyes.
Types of Jaundice
Jaundice falls into four main types based on where bilirubin accumulates in the body. Blood tests help identify the specific type.
1. Prehepatic Jaundice
This type occurs when bilirubin levels rise before reaching the liver, often due to an increased breakdown of red blood cells, producing more bilirubin than the liver can handle.
2. Hepatic Jaundice
When the liver cannot effectively process bilirubin, it causes hepatic jaundice, often associated with liver diseases like hepatitis or cirrhosis.
3. Posthepatic Jaundice
Posthepatic jaundice develops when bilirubin builds up after passing through the liver because the body cannot eliminate it fast enough.
4. Obstructive Jaundice
In obstructive jaundice, a blockage or narrowing in the bile or pancreatic duct prevents bile from draining into the intestines. This type of jaundice requires immediate attention due to its high mortality rate if untreated.
Jaundice Symptoms
Some cases of jaundice show no symptoms. When symptoms do appear, they vary depending on how rapidly the condition progresses. Common signs include:
- Yellowing of the skin and eyes (scleral icterus)
- Dark urine
- Clay-colored or pale stools
- Fever
- Abdominal pain
- Chills
- Flu-like symptoms
- Itchy skin
- Weight loss
- Fatigue and confusion
- Easy bruising or bleeding
- Bloody vomit
How Long Does Jaundice Last in Adults?
The duration of jaundice in adults depends on its cause and the necessary treatment. For instance, when a medication triggers jaundice, it typically fades after stopping the drug. If hepatitis is the cause, medications can manage the symptoms. Blocked bile ducts or gallstones may require surgery to clear the blockage.
Causes of Jaundice in Adults
Though uncommon in adults, jaundice can stem from several factors, including:
- Hepatitis: Viral infections, autoimmune disorders, alcohol or drug use, and chemical exposure can all cause liver inflammation. This may be acute (short-term) or chronic (lasting over six months), leading to liver damage and jaundice.
- Alcohol-related liver disease: Long-term heavy drinking often damages the liver, especially through conditions like alcoholic hepatitis and alcoholic cirrhosis.
- Other liver diseases: Autoimmune diseases, genetic disorders, and hepatitis can all cause cirrhosis. Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) leads to fat buildup and inflammation in the liver, gradually resulting in jaundice.
- Blocked bile ducts: Blocked by gallstones, tumors, or inflammation, these ducts prevent bile from flowing to the intestine, causing jaundice.
- Pancreatic cancer: This type of cancer often blocks the bile duct, causing jaundice, and is more common in men.
- Certain medications: Drugs like acetaminophen, penicillin, birth control pills, and steroids have links to liver damage and jaundice.
- Blood clots: Large blood clots can reabsorb, increasing bilirubin levels and causing jaundice.
- Hemolytic anemias: Rapid destruction of red blood cells can increase bilirubin in the blood, leading to jaundice.
Diagnosing Jaundice
To diagnose jaundice, doctors usually start by reviewing symptoms and medical history, then perform a physical exam to check for liver enlargement. Additional tests may include:
- Blood tests: These tests measure bilirubin, cholesterol levels, and provide a complete blood count (CBC).
- Hepatitis panel: A blood test reveals if hepatitis A, B, or C might be the cause.
- Liver function tests: Abnormal enzyme levels often indicate liver or bile duct damage.
- Imaging: CT scans, ultrasounds, or MRIs help identify blockages or abnormalities in bile ducts.
- Liver biopsy: During this test, doctors remove a small piece of liver tissue to examine for disease or damage.
- Prothrombin time: This test measures how long blood takes to clot, with delayed clotting often pointing to liver issues.
Jaundice Treatment
In adults, doctors generally treat the cause of jaundice rather than the jaundice itself. Treatment options include:
- Acute viral hepatitis: The jaundice typically clears as the liver heals naturally.
- Blocked bile ducts: Doctors may recommend surgery to remove the blockage.
- Itching relief: If itching occurs, a doctor may prescribe cholestyramine, a medication that helps remove bile acids from the body to reduce itching.
Phototherapy
Doctors primarily use phototherapy, which involves fluorescent lights to break down bilirubin, for newborns. Currently, studies have not shown this therapy to be effective in treating jaundice in adults.
Preventing Jaundice
Making lifestyle changes can lower your risk of developing jaundice, especially if you have known risk factors like a history of alcohol consumption or hepatitis. Consider these tips:
- Avoid herbal supplements unless recommended by a doctor, as they can be toxic to the liver.
- Quit smoking.
- Limit alcohol intake. The CDC recommends no more than two drinks per day for men and one for women.
- Avoid intravenous drugs.
- Follow prescribed medication dosages carefully.
- Ensure you receive all recommended vaccines before traveling overseas.
- Practice safe sex to prevent hepatitis transmission.
- Maintain a healthy weight and cholesterol level.
Takeaways
In adults, jaundice often points to an underlying issue rather than appearing on its own. While jaundice typically clears up naturally, doctors may recommend treatment if a condition like hepatitis or bile duct blockage is responsible. If you experience symptoms like yellow skin or eyes, flu-like symptoms, dark urine, or abdominal pain, contact your healthcare provider for further evaluation.
Jaundice FAQs
Is jaundice very serious?
Newborns often experience mild jaundice that clears on its own, but jaundice lasting more than two weeks requires a doctor’s attention. In adults, jaundice often signals underlying conditions that need treatment.
How do doctors treat jaundice in adults?
Doctors focus on treating the condition that caused jaundice, such as hepatitis, liver disease, cancer, or blocked bile ducts, rather than treating jaundice directly.
What does jaundice feel like for adults?
Sometimes jaundice presents no symptoms other than skin and eye yellowing. In other cases, individuals may feel flu-like symptoms, stomach pain, or skin itching.
Can adults recover from jaundice?
Yes, adults can recover from jaundice, especially when doctors identify and treat the underlying cause. Many people find jaundice resolves as the liver or bile duct problem improves.
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