Jaundiced

Jaundice is a medical condition characterized by yellowing of the skin, mucous membranes, and the whites of the eyes caused by elevated levels of the chemical bilirubin in the blood (hyperbilirubinemia). The term jaundice comes from the French word jaune, meaning yellow.

Causes

Jaundice is typically caused by an underlying pathological process that occurs at some point along the normal physiological pathway of the metabolism of bilirubin. If for some reason the processing of bilirubin is disrupted, it can lead to an excess of bilirubin, resulting in jaundice. The three main categories of jaundice are pre-hepatic jaundice, hepatic jaundice, and post-hepatic jaundice.

Symptoms

The primary symptom of jaundice is a yellow coloration of the skin, mucous membranes, and the whites of the eyes. Other symptoms can include fatigue, weight loss, itching, and abdominal pain.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of jaundice typically involves a detailed medical history and physical examination, as well as laboratory tests to measure levels of bilirubin in the blood and to assess the function of the liver.

Treatment

Treatment of jaundice typically involves addressing the underlying cause of the elevated bilirubin levels. This can involve medications, surgery, or other treatments depending on the specific cause.

See also

• Bilirubin
• Liver disease
• Hepatitis
• Gallstones

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