Jaundice is a condition where the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes begin to turn yellow as a result of excess bilirubin in the bloodstream. Bilirubin is formed from the breakdown of old red blood cells in the body.
In most cases, the liver functions well enough to remove the bilirubin from the body. Jaundice may occur in newborns where the liver is not developed well enough to remove the bilirubin. In adult cases, jaundice may indicate liver disease or another underlying issue.
When jaundice is present in newborns, simply monitoring the symptoms may be sufficient treatment, as jaundice will often go away without treatment. If the symptoms, such as yellowing skin and mucous membranes, persist, the newborn will need a special type of light therapy that will help the liver break down the bilirubin and remove it from the body.
In many adult cases, treatment may not be necessary. In the event that treatment is necessary, a healthcare provider will recommend treatment based on the cause of the jaundice.
When treatment for jaundice becomes necessary, the causes may be an underdeveloped liver in infants, an obstructed bile duct, inflammation of the liver, or from anaemia. Treatment options will vary depending on the cause of the jaundice.
The treatment for jaundice in infants is usually phototherapy. This is a special type of light therapy (not sunlight) that helps the liver break down and removes the excess bilirubin in the blood. The infant’s eyes are covered for protection, and the baby is placed on a cot or incubator under the light. During phototherapy, the infant’s temperature is monitored along with signs of dehydration.
After a day or two of phototherapy, symptoms usually improve, and treatment is no longer necessary. Bilirubin levels will be checked several times each day to check if the treatment is working. If symptoms do not improve, more intense phototherapy may be necessary. Phototherapy in infants is usually effective with few side effects.
The treatment for jaundice caused by hepatitis or inflammation of the liver is drinking lots of fluids to flush out toxins in the liver. If you are unable to drink enough fluids, IV fluids will be necessary to keep you hydrated. Plenty of rest is also important and will help your body recover.
Avoiding or really limiting alcohol is important since alcohol is known to cause damage to the liver. Certain medications can increase bilirubin in the body, so it is important to check with a healthcare provider to see what medications should be avoided if you have an episode of jaundice.
The treatment for jaundice caused by a blocked bile duct is usually surgery. Surgery is likely necessary if the blockage is caused by gallstones or a tumour. If a bile duct is obstructed, surgery may involve placing a stent in the duct, which lets the fluids from the liver flow past the blockage.
If jaundice is severe and other treatment options are not effective, a blood transfusion will be necessary, especially in cases caused by anaemia. With this treatment, a person’s blood is slowly removed and replaced with donor blood. A blood transfusion will require careful monitoring for transfusion reactions, but usually, a transfusion is an effective treatment.
Since jaundice can be caused by different conditions, there is no sure way to prevent the condition. There are ways to help avoid underlying diseases that end up causing jaundice. To help protect the liver, you can limit alcohol intake.
To help against the risk of hepatitis, you can practice good hygiene and safe sex. Eating a well-balanced, nourishing diet and drinking adequate water daily can also help support your body and overall health.