What is Jaundice and How to Self-Care in Jaundice

Dr.Sharad Malhotra, 5 mins read

Jaundice is a condition that occurs when a yellowish-colored tinge is visible on the mucous membranes, as well as on the whites of the eyes. The body fluids like urine can change color to yellow in appearance.

The appearance of jaundice is usually a sign of a problem with the liver or bile duct problem. If the liver isn't functioning well, it may not be able to eliminate a waste substance known as bilirubin which accumulates in the blood and cause jaundice.

Jaundice can occur in anyone of any age and is typically caused by an underlying liver issue. Older adults and newborns are the most likely to be developing jaundice.

Consuming a balanced diet will help the liver's health and can help ease jaundice-related symptoms. This can be achieved by taking rest, drinking water, eating lean protein and vegetables, and avoiding alcohol and certain fried food items.

Types of jaundice

The different types of jaundice can be defined by examining liver function tests. This will determine how it will affect the removal of bilirubin pigment from blood circulation. The three kinds of jaundice that could affect you are

• Obstructive jaundice
• Hemolytic jaundice
• Hepatocellular jaundice

Symptoms of Jaundice

The signs of jaundice include:

• Skin coloration is yellow.
• The yellowish discoloration of the eye's sclera (white portion of the eye), also known as conjunctival icterus
• The urine color appears from deep yellow to brown.
• There is a yellowish hue within the mouth.
• Bilirubin is an irritant to the skin and, as such, causes the skin to itch.
• Stools can be pale or clay-colored
• High fever
• Discoloration in the form of green or yellow on tooth enamel and hypoplasia of the dental cavity in children growing.
• Stomach pain
• Loss of appetite
• Vomiting
• Weight loss

Risk factors and their causes

Jaundice refers to the yellowing of the mucous membranes and the whites of the eyes. It happens when the body does not metabolise bilirubin in the way it is supposed to.

Bilirubin levels increase when red blood cells are naturally breaking down. In general, the liver clears the waste materials from the bloodstream and transforms them into a brand-new form called conjugated bilirubin.

If there's too much bilirubin in the body for the liver's capacity to excrete, it will accumulate within the body. The term is hyperbilirubinemia and is the reason for the yellowish coloration of the eyes and skin.

The most common cause of jaundice is an underlying illness that produces excessive bilirubin or hinders the liver from getting rid of it.

A few possible causes of jaundice are:

• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Gallstone disease
• Cirrhosis is a disease that creates scar tissue that replaces healthy liver tissue
• Gallbladder, pancreatic, or cancer
• Hemolytic anemia
• Adverse side effects associated with certain herbal, ayurvedic, or analgesic medicines
• Viral Hepatitis or other liver infections

Prevention

Jaundice can be linked to liver function. The people who live here can keep their livers healthy by making a few lifestyle changes, for example:

• Avoid too much alcohol
• Exercise regularly
• Managing your medications with care
• Avoiding toxins from chemical and other sources inhaled and sprayed
• Eating an appropriate healthy and balanced diet

A 2021 article suggests:

• Avoid using more than the recommended dosage of prescription medication
• Beware of alcohol, smoking, or intravenous drugs
• Vaccinating against Hepatitis B 
• Engaging in safe sexual activity, like making use of barrier contraceptive methods
• having the recommended vaccinations before traveling like for hepatitis A
• Avoiding herbal/ayurvedic medicines without consulting a doctor first.

Treatment

Treatment depends on the root causes of jaundice. Itching can be a result of jaundice or pruritis. Scientific data states that people can take warm baths and also take antihistamines or apply moisturizers to treat mild pruritis.

A doctor may recommend medication for patients suffering from mild to extreme pruritis, like cholestyramine and colestipol. Since jaundice can be a sign of liver damage, A liver transplant could be required in rare instances in the case of the degree that the liver damage has occurred.

Protect yourself against foodborne illnesses

Being aware of food-borne illnesses will help reduce the burden on the liver. You should avoid the following foods with an increased risk of contracting food-borne illnesses:

• Food items that are not washed: Avoid eating raw fruits and vegetables that have not been washed.
• Unpasteurized foods: Avoid dairy products that are not pasteurized as well as fruit juice and vegetable juice.
• Raw sprouts: Don't consume raw vegetables like alfalfa or Mung bean sprouts, even when used in other recipes such as fruit juices and smoothies.
• Proteins that are raw or undercooked: Cook proteins according to the recommended temperatures for serving. Avoid undercooked or raw eggs, meat, poultry game, fish, seafood, and raw tofu.

What are the things your diet should contain?

• Take a wide variety of clean fruit and vegetables each day.
• Keep hydrated. Coffee, water, or tea can help maintain hydration and the liver's function.
• Consume a wide variety of proteins and opt for leaner cuts of animal protein.
• Find high-fiber foods such as broccoli, oatmeal, chickpeas, berries, and almonds.

Coffee or tea

Drinkers who consume more than three cups of coffee daily have higher levels of markers of liver health; when researchers looked into the effects of this practice further and found that the results did not result from the caffeine content in coffee.

The researchers also discovered that coffee aided in protecting the liver without regard to the subjects' diet.

Water

Drinking enough water to stay hydrated can assist your liver in functioning properly and avoid dehydration. Insufficient fluid intake can cause problems in your liver performing the duties it requires to work correctly.

The water you require daily is critical, so you must ensure you're drinking enough according to the suitable recommendations.

Lean protein

When it comes to choosing protein, steer clear of fattier cuts of meat. Also, you can select a variety of plant-based (nuts, seeds, soya, and other products) and animal-based proteins. For animal protein, choose leaner alternatives such as skinless chicken breasts, pork tenderloin, or flank steaks. 

Eggs and fish are also excellent choices. A majority of dairy products must be low in fat.

Fruits and vegetables

A varied diet of fruits and vegetables each day benefits overall health. Fresh, frozen, or dried vegetables and fruits can benefit your health. Canned alternatives can also be beneficial if fresh fruits are not available and should be washed and drained before eating.

The exact amount of fruits and vegetables you must take in each day will depend on the following:

• Physical exercise
• Sex
• Age
• Weight
• Height

Conclusion

The accumulation of bilirubin in the blood can cause jaundice. The cause of the problem can help determine the time it will take to get out of your body. A balanced diet supportive of liver health could help relieve symptoms when combined with conventional treatment for jaundice.

If you need more clarification regarding your diet to treat jaundice, consult a doctor or dietitian. They will provide you with a personalized recommendation on what to include and what you should leave off your diet while ensuring that you meet your daily nutritional requirements.

Jaundice is the process of causing yellowing to the mucous membranes, the skin, and the whites of the eyes. It's a sign of an underlying disease or health concern affecting the liver.

It happens when the liver cannot meet the demand to eliminate waste from the bloodstream or when the liver is damaged. A variety of conditions can trigger liver issues that can lead to jaundice. Treatment for jaundice usually involves identifying and treating the underlying problem.

Also, Read: Health Effects of Overweight and Obesity