Department of Gastroenterology
Welcome To Gangasheel Hospital
What is Icterus ?
Jaundice is a yellowing of the skin, sclera (whites of the eyes), and mucous membranes. This yellow color is caused by high levels of bilirubin, a yellow-orange bile pigment. Bile is a fluid secreted by the liver. Bilirubin is produced when red blood cells are broken down.
Jaundice can be caused by problems in any of the three stages of bilirubin production.
Before bilirubin is produced, a condition called unconjugated jaundice can result from elevated bilirubin levels due to:
Hemolytic anemia (blood cells are destroyed and removed from the bloodstream before the end of their normal lifespan).
During the production of bilirubin, jaundice can be caused by:
- Alcohol.
- Autoimmune disease.
- Rare inherited metabolic disorder.
- Drugs containing paracetamol toxicity, penicillins, oral contraceptives, chlorpromazine (Thorazine®), estrogens or anabolic steroids.
Jaundice can be caused by blockage (blockage) of the bile ducts after bilirubin is produced:
- Gallstones
- Inflammation (swelling) of the gallbladder
- Gallbladder cancer
- Pancreatic tumor
Sometimes, the person may not have symptoms of jaundice, and the condition may be found accidentally. The severity of symptoms depends on the underlying causes and how quickly or slowly the disease develops.
If you have a short-term case of jaundice (usually caused by infection), you may have the following symptoms and signs:
- Fever
- Chills
- Abdominal pain
- Flu-like symptoms
- Skin color changes
- Dark-colored urine and/or clay-colored stools
- When jaundice is not caused by an infection, symptoms such as weight loss and itchy skin (itchiness) may occur. Abdominal pain is the most common symptom when jaundice is caused by cancer of the pancreas or bile ducts.
- Chronic hepatitis or inflammation of the liver
- Pyoderma gangrenosum (a type of skin disease)
- Acute hepatitis A, B or C
- Polyarthralgia (joint inflammation)
Because of the wide variety of causes of jaundice, it is difficult to provide specific preventive measures.
Some general tips are:-
- Avoid contracting hepatitis
- Stay within the recommended alcohol limits
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Manage cholesterol
Jaundice usually does not require treatment in adults (it is a more serious problem in infants). The causes and complications of jaundice can be treated.
For example, itch can be relieved with cholestyramine (Questran®).
Yes, Icterus treatment is available in Bareilly at Gangasheel Hospital by the team of expert Gastroenterologists in the city.