what is jaundice and how do they treat it??

Answer 1

Jaundice, also known as icterus (attributive adjective: "icteric"), is a yellowing of the skin, conjunctiva (clear covering over the sclera, or whites of the eyes) and mucous membranes caused by increased levels of bilirubin in the human body (or the body of another red blooded animal). Usually the concentration of bilirubin in the blood must exceed 2–3 mg/dL for the coloration to be easily visible. Jaundice comes from the French word jaune, meaning yellow. Jaundice typically appears in a 'top to bottom' progression (starting with the face, progressing toward the feet), and resolves in a 'bottom to top' manner.
Causes

When red blood cells die, the heme in their hemoglobin is converted to bilirubin in the spleen and in the hepatocytes in the liver. The bilirubin is processed by the liver, enters bile and is eventually excreted through feces.

Consequently, there are three different classes of causes for jaundice. Pre-hepatic or hemolytic causes, where too many red blood cells are broken down, hepatic causes where the processing of bilirubin in the liver does not function correctly, and post-hepatic or extrahepatic causes, where the removal of bile is disturbed.

Bold text[[===Pre-hepatic=== Pre-hepatic (or hemolytic) jaundice is caused by anything which causes an increased rate of hemolysis (breakdown of red blood cells). In tropical countries, malaria can cause jaundice in this manner. Certain genetic diseases, such as sickle cell anemia and glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency can lead to increased red cell lysis and therefore hemolytic jaundice. Defects in bilirubin metabolism also present as jaundice. Jaundice usually comes with high fevers.

The laboratory findings include

* Urine: no bilirubin present, urobilirubin > 2 units (except in infants where gut flora has not developed).
* Serum: increased unconjugated bilirubin.]]

[edit] Hepatic

Hepatic causes include acute hepatitis, hepatotoxicity and alcoholic liver disease, whereby cell necrosis reduces the liver's ability to metabolise and excrete bilirubin leading to a build up in the blood. Less common causes include primary biliary cirrhosis, Gilbert's syndrome (a genetic disorder of bilirubin metabolism which can result in mild jaundice, which is found in about 5% of the population) and metastatic carcinoma. Jaundice seen in the newborn, known as neonatal jaundice, is common, occurring in almost every newborn as hepatic machinery for the conjugation and excretion of bilirubin does not fully mature until approximately two weeks of age.

Laboratory Findings: Urine: bilirubin present, Urobilirubin > 2 units but variable (Except in children)

[edit] Post-hepatic

Post-hepatic (or obstructive) jaundice, also called cholestasis, is caused by an interruption to the drainage of bile in the biliary system. The most common causes are gallstones in the common bile duct, and pancreatic cancer in the head of the pancreas. Also, a group of parasites known as "liver flukes" live in the common bile duct, causing obstructive jaundice. Other causes include strictures of the common bile duct, ductal carcinoma, pancreatitis and pancreatic pseudocysts. A rare cause of obstructive jaundice is Mirizzi's syndrome.

The presence of pale stools and dark urine suggests an obstructive or post-hepatic cause as normal feces get their color from bile pigments. Patients often complain of severe itching.

[edit] Neonatal jaundice

See Neonatal jaundice for details.

Neonatal jaundice is usually harmless: this condition is often seen in infants around the second day after birth, lasting until day 8 in normal births, or to around day 14 in premature births. Serum bilirubin normally drops to a low level without any intervention required: the jaundice is presumably a consequence of metabolic and physiological adjustments after birth. In extreme cases, a brain-damaging condition known as kernicterus can occur; there are concerns that this condition has been rising in recent years due to inadequate detection and treatment of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. [1]

[edit] Jaundiced Eye

It was once believed persons suffering from the medical condition jaundice saw everything as yellow. By extension, the jaundiced eye came to mean a prejudiced view, usually rather negative or critical. Alexander Pope, in 'An Essay on Criticism' (1711), wrote: "All seems infected that the infected spy, As all looks yellow to the jaundiced eye." [1]

Answer 2

Jaundice
What is jaundice?
Jaundice is not an illness, but a medical condition in which too much bilirubin – a compound produced by the breakdown of hemoglobin from red blood cells – is circulating in the blood. This excess of bilirubin causes the skin, eyes, and the mucus membranes (inside of the mouth) to turn a yellowish color. This yellowish color is due to the bilirubin dissolving in the fat layer just below the skin.

Jaundice is common in newborn babies and will usually clear without treatment. However, for adults the symptoms of jaundice usually indicate damage to the liver. If the cause of the jaundice is not treated, liver failure can result.

What causes jaundice?
Jaundice may be caused by a number of factors such as:

An obstruction of the bile duct, often due to a tumor or gallstone
Hepatitis: an inflammation of the liver
Biliary stricture: a narrowing of the duct that transports bile from the liver to the small intestine
Cirrhosis: a slowly progressing disease in which healthy liver tissue is replaced with scar tissue, eventually preventing the liver from functioning properly
Pancreatic cancer
Inadequate blood flow to the liver
Congenital disorders involving bilirubin
Malaria: a serious and sometimes fatal disease in humans caused by a parasite transmitted by mosquitoes
What are the symptoms often accompanying jaundice?

Yellow discoloring of the skin, whites of the eyes (sclera), and mucus membranes
Dark urine
Nausea
Itching
Light-colored stool (gray or yellow)
Abdominal pain or swelling
How is jaundice diagnosed?
A diagnosis of jaundice is made based on a physical examination as well as observation by your doctor. However, because the condition has a number of possible causes, your doctor will likely order any of the following tests for adults:

Serum bilirubin: A test that measures the concentration of bilirubin in the blood.
Complete blood count: A series of blood tests that provides information about the components of blood including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
Prothrombin time: A test that measures the blood’s clotting ability
Abdominal ultrasound: An abdominal ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to produce a "picture" called a sonogram. A sonogram of the liver will show whether it is swollen or abnormal.
Liver biopsy: A test where a small sample of the liver’s tissue is removed and then analyzed in a laboratory.
How is jaundice treated?
Since jaundice is a symptom, not a specific disorder, treatment for it depends on its cause. This can range from the removal of gallstones or tumors to antibiotics to treat infections, to liver transplant in cases where the liver is severely damaged. However, for conditions like cirrhosis and chronic hepatitis, which are lifelong problems, jaundice may be permanent or recurring.

Answer 3

jaundice is a disease where ur liver stops working and hence ur body turns a yellow colour including ur eyes, it cuases a tight spasm in the chest, people totally forget the feeling of hunger and dnt ever feel like eating, they have serious nausea and also puke alot, beleive me this is the worst disease a person could ever have as i myself have personally experienced full two months of suffering from jaundice, i had to leave school for two months and literally cried when anyone froced me to eat. AND bydway it isnt a baby disease, i got it when i was 14, u can get it anytime

Answer 4

"Jaundice is a condition that causes a pronounced yellow tint to the skin and the white part of the eyes as a result of a higher-than-normal amount of bilirubin in the blood (hyperbilirubinemia)."
...
"Most of the time no medical treatment is needed for jaundice. "

Answer 5

Jaundice is they yellowing of the skin and the whites of your eyes. It is caused by Liver Problems. Talk to your doctor about treatments.

Answer 6

My daughter was born with jaundice they just stuck in her an incubator with the lights for a few hours a day

Answer 7

Jaundice is a result of liver dysfunction, hepatitis, a, b , c , d.
End stage liver disease. A persons color turns greenish due to the livers decreased ability to do its job, currently only supportive measeures are treatments. Their are meds to help with hepatitis, nothing is curative however....

AWP CCRN

Answer 8

It's a skin condition which turns the skin and sometimes the eyes a "yellow" tint. It's usually right after birth. The condition is harmless (usually, still needs to be monitored by a doctor though) and goes away in 8-14 days. My brother had it when he was born and was fine after a week or so.

Answer 9

jaundice is when a baby comes out of its mother and looks very yellow! it is from an excess of bilirubin.

Answer 10

http://www.medicinenet.com/jaundice/article.htm