Jaundice Jaundice

Jaundice is a symptom of liver disease, manifesting as a yellowish discoloration of urine and eyes. Diagnosis is confirmed by performing liver function tests (blood test).

Causes of this condition include:

Unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia

  • Hemolysis
  • Gilbert syndrome

Conjugated hyperbilirubinemia– is due to the liver diseases which can either be liver inflammation or obstruction in biliary system of the liver

 

Liver inflammation

  • Hepatitis A
  • Hepatitis B
  • Hepatitis C
  • Hepatitis E
  • Alcoholic hepatitis
  • Wilson Disease (Excessive copper in liver)
  • Hemochromatosis (Excessive iron in liver)
  • Autoimmune hepatitis

Obstruction in biliary system of liver

  • Stone in common bile duct
  • Tumor of gall bladder, pancreas, and CBD causing CBD obstruction
  • Worm in CBD
  • Enlarged lymph nodes compressing CBD

Various tests are conducted to determine the cause of jaundice, including:

  • LFT
  • Viral markers
  • USG Abdomen
  • CECT Abdomen and MRCP

Treatment of jaundice depends upon the cause of jaundice and includes

  • Antiviral medication
  • Stopping alcohol
  • Steroids for autoimmune hepatitis
  • Copper and iron chelation for wilson disease and hemochromatosis respectively
  • ERCP to remove the CBD stone or stent placement to bypass biliary obstruction due to tumor

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