Are you experiencing a sudden yellowish or pale appearance in your nails or eyes? It could be a sign of jaundice.
Jaundice is a condition that causes a person's skin, eyes and mucus membranes to turn yellowish or greenish. This happens due to the breakdown of the red blood cells, producing a yellow-orange pigment called bilirubin. The liver usually processes bilirubin as it passes through it. Still, jaundice can prevent the liver of the affected individuals from doing so, resulting in bilirubin buildup, which makes the skin, eyes, and mucus appear yellow or greenish.
Jaundice may be accompanied by serious problems, such as brain function deterioration and a tendency to bleed or bruise easily, but its early symptoms can be checked at home.
Continue reading to learn more about early symptoms of jaundice in adults and what the possible treatment options are.
Table Of Contents
- What Is Jaundice? How To Identify Jaundice At Home For Adults?
- What Are The First Symptoms Of Jaundice? 9 Signs To Look Out For
- Diagnosis And Treatment Of Jaundice
- How To Treat Jaundice At Home? 11 Home Remedies For Adults
- Expert’s Advice
- The Final Say
- FAQs
- References
What Is Jaundice? How To Identify Jaundice At Home For Adults?
Jaundice (hyperbilirubinemia) is generally identified when your skin, sclera (white of the eye) and mucus membranes turn yellow. Jaundice occurs when your liver is unable to process bilirubin (a yellow substance produced when red blood cells break down) in your blood. This can be caused by excessive breakdown of red blood cells or liver damage.
Although jaundice can occur in anyone, people suffering from hepatitis or consuming excessive amounts of alcohol are more susceptible to the disease. Newborns usually develop another form of jaundice a few days after birth. It is known as neonatal jaundice.
After every 120 days, old and damaged red blood cells (RBCs) in one's body die, and new ones are formed in the bone marrow. Haemoglobin is a protein in RBCs that carries oxygen from the lungs to the body's tissues and organs and carbon dioxide back to the lungs. As RBCs break down, haemoglobin releases bilirubin. Under normal circumstances, bilirubin is released into the bloodstream, and the liver and bile ducts remove it from the body. However, when this bilirubin is not released from the body, it deposits in the skin, resulting in jaundice.
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What Are The First Symptom Of Jaundice? 9 Signs To Look Out For
Recognising jaundice's early signs and symptoms is essential for prompt treatment and recovery. So, where do you first notice jaundice signs? Let’s understand these early symptoms of jaundice in adults:
1. Yellowing Of The Skin And Eyes
The most noticeable symptom is when your skin and the white parts of the eyes (sclera) start to turn yellow. This yellowing starts subtly and becomes more pronounced as bilirubin levels increase.
2. Dark Urine
Your urine may appear darker than usual, almost resembling the colour of tea or cola, due to excess bilirubin.
3. Light-Colored Stool
The stool may be lighter or clay-coloured, indicating that bilirubin is not reaching the intestines, which normally gives the stool its brown colour.
4. Itchy Skin
Elevated bilirubin can cause pruritus (itching), which can be widespread and persistent.
5. Fatigue and Weakness
General feelings of tiredness and weakness are common as the body deals with excess bilirubin and potential accompanying health problems.
6. Abdominal Pain and Swelling
You might experience some pain, discomfort, or swelling in the upper right part of the abdomen, where the liver is located. Swelling in the abdomen may indicate fluid accumulation (ascites).
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7. Nausea and Vomiting
Nausea and vomiting can accompany jaundice, especially if it is related to liver or gallbladder disease.
8. Weight Loss And Loss Of Appetite
Unintentional weight loss and decreased appetite can be symptoms of underlying conditions causing jaundice.
9. Easy Bruising and Heavy Bleeding
If you bruise easily and bleed a lot, it means your liver is not producing enough clotting factors to help stop the bleeding. This might indicate jaundice.
Diagnosis and Treatment Of Jaundice
Jaundice can only be treated after several tests have been performed to diagnose the condition. Some commonly used jaundice tests are:
- Liver function tests
- Liver biopsies
- Bilirubin blood tests
- Complete blood counts
Jaundice treatment can only be possible if the underlying causes are identified in time.
Depending on the root cause, here are some treatments for jaundice:
- Jaundice caused by gallstones may require removal of the gallbladder.
- Depending on the cause, medications may be given for specific conditions that contribute to jaundice, such as antivirals for hepatitis or medications to dissolve gallstones.
- If the liver disease is caused by alcohol, then the key to treating jaundice will be to give up drinking.
- In situations where jaundice is caused by obstruction of the bile ducts, surgery may be required to remove the blockage or to fix the damaged ducts.
- Blood transfusions can be part of the therapy for jaundice, in which the sick person's blood is removed and replaced with fresh donor blood or plasma.
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How To Treat Jaundice At Home? 11 Home Remedies For Adults
Many home remedies for jaundice have been used for centuries using basic and readily available household ingredients. Some of them are highly effective in flushing out the excess bilirubin that causes disease. This, in turn, helps support normal liver function without unwanted side effects.
1. Radish Juice
Radish juice along with radish leaves is known to be very effective in treating the symptoms of jaundice. Make sure the radish is fresh and clean, and extract the juice from the radish along with its leaves. Add a little honey or dilute it with water to improve the taste.
Radish juice helps flush away excess bilirubin and detoxifies the blood. It will also help improve bowel movements, which will restore your appetite.
2. Gooseberry Juice And Lemon
When consumed together, lemon juice and gooseberry juice help neutralise free radical damage and help restore optimal liver function.
There are certain areas of the world where gooseberries are not available, and if this is the case for you, you should drink as much lemon juice as possible. Both are considered to be one of the most effective home remedies for jaundice.
3. Fresh Sugarcane Juice
Fresh sugarcane juice can do wonders for your liver by replenishing your body's depleted proteins and the nutrients required to recover swiftly. Adding a splash of lemon can enhance its taste and effectiveness.
4. Oregano
Add some oregano to warm water, let it sit for a few minutes, and strain before drinking. You can drink oregano water as many times as you want. Oregano can increase antioxidant levels and decrease renal and plasma liver injury markers, which makes it a great treatment for jaundice at home.
5. Papaya leaves
Papaya leaves help remove toxins from the bloodstream and help the liver function normally. Make a paste with these leaves and eat it every day until you've recovered. You may add honey to the paste to improve its taste.
6. Barley
Barley is considered an effective diuretic for detoxifying the bloodstream and liver. It is also nutritious and easy to digest. To consume barley, take a cup of it and boil it in 3 to 4 litres of water, which you should finish in one day. Drink the mixture every day until the symptoms of jaundice subside.
7. Water
Toxins present in your liver can be flushed out by drinking 7-8 glasses of water a day. Drinking enough water helps the liver to filter.
8. Amla
Amla juice is a well-known detox drink, rich in vitamin C and other essential nutrients that help maintain bilirubin levels in the liver. Eat it whole or juiced. Amla helps treat jaundice by promoting proper liver function.
9. Goat Milk
Goat's milk is a rich source of antibodies that help fight jaundice. Goat's milk is also easier to digest than cow's milk, which makes it great for jaundiced patients.
10. Holy Basil (Tulsi)
Holy Basil, commonly known as Tulsi, has antibacterial and antioxidant properties. Tulsi leaves help fight infection and treat jaundice.
11. Tomato
Tomatoes contain a compound called lycopene, which acts as an antioxidant. The antioxidant nature of tomatoes helps detoxify the liver and treat jaundice.
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Expert’s Advice
Jaundice often goes away when the underlying cause is treated. Mild cases of jaundice usually resolve on their own without medical intervention and have no long-term effects on the liver. Jaundice can be a symptom of a serious illness, so it is recommended to see a doctor immediately.
Health Expert
Lavina Chauhan
The Final Say
Jaundice is a condition where the skin, eyes and mucus membranes turn yellow due to bilirubin collection, a yellow substance. Jaundice can have various causes like hepatitis, gallstones, tumours, etc. Due to a variety of reasons, there is no clear way to prevent jaundice. However, there are ways to prevent the underlying disease, such as limiting alcohol consumption, practising good hygiene and safe sex to reduce the risk of hepatitis infection.
FAQs
1. Is jaundice dangerous in adults?
Yes, jaundice can be extremely fatal if left untreated for a long time. In some cases, jaundice can even lead to death. It is important that you seek immediate medical attention as soon as you notice the onset of jaundice.
2. What deficiency causes yellow skin?
Yellow skin can result from a lack of healthy red blood cells due to vitamin B12 deficiency.
3. When should we worry about jaundice in adults?
You should worry about jaundice in adults if you notice symptoms like yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, pale stools, or abdominal pain. Also, if you experience sudden changes in mental function, fever, or significant weight loss, it’s important to go to the hospital immediately.
4. Is jaundice treatable in adults?
Yes, jaundice is treatable in adults, but the treatment depends on the underlying cause. Conditions such as viral hepatitis may resolve on their own with supportive care, while more serious causes like blocked bile ducts or liver disease may require medications or surgery for effective management.
5. Does yellow skin mean liver failure?
Yellow skin can indicate liver problems but does not necessarily mean liver failure. It occurs when there is a buildup of bilirubin in the body, which can result from various issues, including liver disease, gallbladder problems, or blood disorders.
References
- https://www.lybrate.com/topic/home-remedies-for-jaundice
- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/15367-adult-jaundice
- https://www.felixhospital.com/blogs/jaundice-in-hindi
- https://www.medanta.org/patient-education-blog/how-to-check-early-jaundice-symptoms-at-home-medanta-3
- https://www.pathkindlabs.com/blog/early-signs-and-symptoms-of-jaundice-you-can-notice
- https://www.apollo247.com/blog/article/adult-jaundice-early-signs-look-out
- https://prognohealth.com/blog/adult-jaundice-signs-symptoms-prevention-and-treatment/
- https://www.carehospitals.com/symptoms/yellow-skin
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