Jaundice – yellowing of the skin it and mucous membranes, which is especially noticeable in the sclera of eye, the bottom surface of the tongue (if the language up to the palate), as well as on the palms. It is here that appears jaundiced in the first place. Yellowing of the skin is also accompanied by a darkening of the urine – urine “color of beer” – this symptom appears earliest.
Yellowing of the skin is often a sign of increased bilirubin in the blood. Sometimes the skin turns yellow with high content of carotene in the blood, what happens when you abuse or orange carrot diets .
Bilirubin – the pigment of blood, which is a degradation product of hemoglobin. Hemoglobin, in turn, iron-containing protein that performs the transport function of oxygen and carbon dioxide contained in red blood cells – red blood cells.
Bilirubin is the direct and indirect.
Formed after the breakdown of hemoglobin, bilirubin binds to plasma proteins. This is called indirect bilirubin, it is not soluble in water and can not be excreted in the urine or bile.
Indirect bilirubin enters the liver, where it undergoes a series of biochemical reactions that leads to the formation of direct bilirubin. Direct bilirubin freely excreted in the bile to the intestine, as well as in urine.
The most common causes of jaundice.
Liver disease (acute and chronic hepatitis , cirrhosis, cysts, parasitic lesion, benign and malignant neoplasms, Gilbert’s syndrome, etc.).
Diseases of the biliary tract (narrowing of the tumor, concretions gallbladder and biliary tract.)
Investigation of increased destruction of erythrocytes (some birth blood disorders, poisoning by drugs, alcohol, poisons, and extensive burns, hypertension).
There is a false jaundice, when the only colored skin (not slimy), due to the accumulation of carotene in it when there is excessive use of carrots, oranges, pumpkins, drugs (quinacrine, picric acid).
Types of jaundice:
Depending on the level at which suffers from the process of removing bilirubin from the body, produce 3 types of jaundice:
Hemolytic jaundice occurs when the accelerated decomposition of hemoglobin, bilirubin is formed when so much that the liver does not manage to convert indirect bilirubin in a straight line. Therefore, in this type of jaundice, elevated indirect bilirubin.
Hepatic jaundice is due to liver under the influence of any causes: viral hepatitis, drug toxicity or liver damage, cirrhosis, alcohol damage, leptospirosis, pseudotuberculosis, etc. Moreover, in the blood often increases the content of conjugated bilirubin, which is explained in its reuptake blood flow due to the inability of the liver cells to the reprocessing.
Cholestatic jaundice. It is a consequence of a breach of motion of bile due to blockage of the bile ducts. This can occur when closing the bile duct or gall bladder stone or tumor. If cholestatic jaundice are also more increased direct bilirubin, which is associated with excessive accumulation of it in the bile duct and the reabsorption of the blood.
The most common causes of infectious jaundice are viral hepatitis A, B or C. In acute viral hepatitis may be accompanied by jaundice, fever, various dyspepsia – abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, a violation of the chair .
How dangerous folk remedies for jaundice
Do not try to self treat jaundice, this can lead to negative consequences. In the literature (on the Internet as well) often folk recipes treatment of jaundice. There are those who recommend medical treatment choleretic broths, but if jaundice caused by stones, gall bladder and bile ducts, then this treatment heavier state. Do not wait until complications! The earlier treatment begins under the supervision of a physician, the easier it will cope with jaundice.
What to do when jaundice
When the yellow color of skin, sclera eyes, the palms should consult your doctor to determine the cause. If the state is acute (poisoning, burns, etc.) need to call an ambulance.
To what doctors refer jaundice
Emergency Physician
gastroenterologist
infectious disease specialist
haematologist
At the first sign of yellowing of the skin or mucous membranes, as well as dark urine should immediately consult a doctor!