ALZHEIMER AND HOME REMEDIES

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Please note our content is intended solely for informational purposes and should not be used in place of official medical advice.

What is the Jaundice in Adults?

Jaundice (hyperbilirubinemia) is when your skin, sclera (whites of your eyes) and mucous membranes turn yellow. Jaundice occurs when your liver is unable to process bilirubin (a yellow substance made when red blood cells break down) in your blood. This can either be caused by too much red blood cell breakdown or liver injury.

Jaundice is often a sign of a problem with the liver, gallbladder, or pancreas.

How is Jaundice developed?

Red blood cell breakdown: Your body regularly breaks down old red blood cells and replaces them with new ones. This breakdown process makes bilirubin.

Bilirubin processing: Normally, your liver processes bilirubin, making it a part of bile (a bitter, greenish-brown fluid that helps digest food). Your liver then releases the bile into your digestive system.

Too much bilirubin: Jaundice happens when your liver can’t process all the bilirubin your body makes, or if your liver has a problem releasing bilirubin.

Yellow color: When there’s too much bilirubin in your blood, it starts to leak into tissues around your blood vessels. This leaking bilirubin makes your skin and the whites of your eyes yellow. This yellow color is a common sign of jaundice.

Symptoms of Jaundice are:-

Yellowish tint to your skin and the whites of your eyes.
Fever.
Chills.
Pain in your belly.
Flu-like symptoms.
Dark-colored pee.
Pale-colored poop.
Being tired or confused.
Itchy skin.
Weight loss.
Abnormal drowsiness
Bloody vomit

How long does jaundice last in adults?

How long jaundice lasts depends on what's causing it and the treatment you need. If a medication is causing it, jaundice will fade after you stop taking it. If hepatitis is causing it, medications can be taken to treat the condition. If there is a blocked bile duct or gallstones, surgery may be required.

Who is at risk for Jaundice?

Persons with Hepatitis
Persons with alcohol related liver disease and other liver disease
Persons with blocked bile ducts
Persons with pancreatic cancer
Persons with blood clots
Persons with Hemolytic anemias
Certain medication-Drugs like acetaminophen, penicillin, birth control pills, and steroids have been linked to liver disease.

Preventing Jaundice:-

Managing your cholesterol.
Avoid herbal supplements (which can be toxic to the liver) unless recommended by your doctor
Stop smoking
Reduce or cut out all alcohol
Don't use intravenous drugs (drugs that go into your vein)
Don't take more prescription medication than you are prescribed
Maintain a healthy weight

Please see below links for more information about jaundice

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/15367-adult-jaundice

https://www.webmd.com/hepatitis/jaundice-why-happens-adults

Natural treatments for Jaundice:-

Fibre
Amla-is known as a liver tonic and promotes liver detoxification
Tumeric
Coffee
Sugar cane juice
Lemon water
Bitter gourd

Vitamin D and Vitamin D enriched foods such as cod liver oil, milk, eggs
Eating well
- Fruits: Apples, pears, and bananas are excellent choices.
- Vegetables: Squash, carrots, and beets can be boiled or steamed.
- Grains: Stick to whole grains like oats and barley, which are nutritious and fiber-rich.
- Nuts: Walnuts and almonds not only provide healthy fats but also antioxidants.
- Lean Proteins: Incorporate lean cuts of chicken, turkey, and fish into your diet.
- Dairy: opt for low-fat or non-fat milk and cheese to keep your fat intake minimal.
- Water: Aim to drink at least eight glasses daily.
- Herbal Teas: Green tea and dandelion tea can be beneficial for liver health.
- Processed Foods: Limit consumption of processed foods high in preservatives and additives.

Infant Jaundice

Jaundice is the yellow color seen on the skin of many newborn babies. Jaundice is caused by a buildup of a bilirubin in your baby’s blood. It happens because their livers aren’t developed enough to get rid of the bilirubin. Jaundice is very common and usually goes away on its own. Severe jaundice can lead to brain damage if it goes untreated.

Symptoms of Infant Jaundice are:-

Yellowing of the skin, under their tongue may look yellow and the whites of the eyes — the main sign of infant jaundice — usually appears between the second and fourth day after birth.

To check for infant jaundice, press gently on your baby's forehead or nose. If the skin looks yellow where you pressed, it's likely your baby has mild jaundice. If your baby doesn't have jaundice, the skin color should simply look slightly lighter than its normal color for a moment.

Examine your baby in good lighting conditions, preferably in natural daylight.

Risk of Infant Jaundice

High levels of bilirubin that cause severe jaundice can result in serious complications if not treated.

Acute bilirubin encephalopathy

Bilirubin is toxic to cells of the brain. If a baby has severe jaundice, there's a risk of bilirubin passing into the brain, a condition called acute bilirubin encephalopathy. Prompt treatment may prevent significant lasting damage.

Signs of acute bilirubin encephalopathy in a baby with jaundice include:

Listlessness
Difficulty waking
High-pitched crying
Poor sucking or feeding
Backward arching of the neck and body
Fever

Kernicterus

Kernicterus is the syndrome that occurs if acute bilirubin encephalopathy causes permanent damage to the brain.

Kernicterus may result in:

Involuntary and uncontrolled movements (athetoid cerebral palsy)
Permanent upward gaze
Hearing loss Improper development of tooth enamel

Severe jaundice can occur if your baby has:

A blood infection (sepsis).
A different blood type than you.
Bruising from a difficult birth.
Too many red blood cells.
A low oxygen level (hypoxia).
A liver condition such as biliary atresia.

Preventing Jaundice in babies:-

Breastfed babies: You should breastfeed your baby eight to 12 times a day during their first week of life.

Formula-fed babies: You should give your baby one to two ounces (30 to 60 milliliters) of formula every two to three hours during their first week of life. Ensure at least eight feeds in a 24-hour period.

When to take baby to the doctor

High-pitched cry.

Fever.

Arched body (head/neck or heels bent back and body forward).

Stiff, limp or floppy body.