Sage Datko  |  September 7, 2019

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Jaundice Overview

Jaundice is a condition that is caused when bilirubin is not effectively filtered by the liver and builds up in the blood, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Bilirubin is formed during the process where hemoglobin, the part of red blood cells responsible for carrying oxygen, is broken down by the body. This byproduct is then carried through the bloodstream to the liver, where it binds with bile. At this point, the bilirubin is moved into the digestive tract, where it is eliminated from the body through stool and urine. However, sometimes this process may move very slowly. If bilirubin is allowed to build up in the blood rather than being filtered out through the liver, it will be deposited into the skin, and result in jaundice.

Newborns are more commonly known to develop jaundice, but the condition can also arise in adults.

Symptoms

The main symptom of jaundice is a yellow or orange tinge to the skin. The condition may also cause the whites of the eyes to turn yellow. In addition to these physical changes, people with jaundice may also have light-colored stool and dark urine, as well as itching all over the body.

Symptoms that may be a cause for concern and require medical intervention include severe abdominal tenderness, blood in stool or vomit, agitation, confusion, or other changes in mental functioning, fever, or a red, splotchy rash.

While jaundice itself does not generally cause a wide variety of symptoms, many conditions that may cause jaundice can cause additional serious side effects.

Causes

According to Medline Plus, jaundice in adults may be caused by several disorders, including severe liver disease, hepatitis, gallstones or tumors blocking a bile duct, hereditary disorders, or a toxic reaction to a medicine.

People who suffer from jaundice due to severe liver disease may also experience nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting, and spider angiomas, or visible blood vessels. Hepatitis, a common cause of jaundice, may also cause fatigue, dark urine and pale stool, and abdominal pain.

Jaundice may also be caused by medications including acetaminophen, birth control pills, steroids, and penicillin. Anti-arrhythmia medication amiodarone has also been linked to an increased risk of developing jaundice.

Treatment

As jaundice is generally a side effect of other disorders, the condition itself is generally not treated. Instead, your doctor will determine what is causing your jaundice and will treat that condition. In patients with blocked bile ducts, surgery may resolve the root cause of jaundice. In patients with hepatitis, jaundice will generally resolve on its own. According to WebMD, some patients may have to stop taking a medication that has jaundice as a side effect may also reverse the side effect.

Complications

Although jaundice itself is not a life-threatening condition, the disorders that can cause jaundice may result in severe or life-threatening health problems if they are not diagnosed and treated promptly.

Legal Issues

If you have developed jaundice due to a medication, such as amiodarone or other types of drugs, you may be eligible to hire an attorney and file a lawsuit against the drug manufacturer. Victims who pursue legal action for drug side effects may be able to collect compensation for injuries, medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other costs.

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