Jaundice is a medical condition that causes a person’s skin and eyes to become yellow. This results from the liver’s inability to process bilirubin, which is a yellow chemical that’s produced when the body breaks down red blood cells. Hepatic jaundice can signal a serious health issue, as liver dysfunction can lead to a range of problems.
The liver helps filter out certain toxins and chemicals from the body. Some medical conditions can affect the organ’s ability to perform this very important task, such as:
Excessive alcohol consumption is a leading cause of hepatic jaundice. As a person consumes high amounts of alcohol over time, they can cause scarring to the liver and degrade how well it functions. Long-term illicit drug use can also have a similar effect on the liver.
Treatment of hepatic jaundice depends on the underlying condition contributing to symptoms, but medication is commonly prescribed. With infections, doctors may recommend antiviral medication or antibiotics depending on the cause of the infection.
When it comes to overconsumption of alcohol, doctors will urge the patient to cease drinking. They may also prescribe beta blockers, which are medications that reduce blood pressure. With primary biliary cirrhosis, which affects the function of bile ducts in the liver, doctors can administer medication to reduce how much bile is produced. Chemotherapy, nutritional supplements, antihistamines, and other drugs can also treat the liver issues that lead to hepatic jaundice.