Is Jaundice Always a Sign of a Serious Condition

Jaundice is usually characterized by yellowing of skin and eyes, this is due to increased bilirubin level in the body. The jaundice is also an indication of your liver disease, at the same time it may also be a serious medical condition not all the time but it may lead to serious conditions when there is no proper monitoring. Even though people are well aware of this condition still some of them don’t know the serious side of jaundice, it requires medical treatment when it is left untreated even if it becomes a life threat. Thus, understanding the various cause of jaundice and their outcomes could help you in differentiation between mild, and those requiring urgent medical attention phases of jaundice. The below content will help you know the serious signs that you should not ignore about jaundice, read and get to know.

What causes jaundice?

Jaundice generally occurs when the level of bilirubin increases in blood, bilirubin is a yellow pigment formed from the breakdown of red blood cells. During normal times, the liver and gallbladder going to help you in eliminating them from the body but in unfortunate cases, the liver and gallbladder may fail to do there the level of bilirubin increases in the body. So, the bilirubin accumulates, leading to the yellow discoloration of the skin and eyes.

Here are some of the potential causes of jaundice, ranging from benign to life-threatening, they are,

Pre-hepatic causes 

The pre-hepatic causes of jaundice occur when the production of bilirubin increases than usual. Generally, the destruction of red blood cells occurs between each 120 days to renew the red blood cells in that case in certain conditions like hemolytic anemia here the red blood cells will get destroyed faster than they can be replaced. Hemolytic anemia is a serious condition, and it should be managed effectively with treatment to avoid its impact on the liver and the origin of jaundice.

Hepatic causes 

There are certain hepatic conditions such as hepatitis, cirrhosis, or liver cancer all of these conditions going to have a direct impact on the liver’s ability to process bilirubin. This cause is considered to be more serious and requires immediate medical intervention to manage the underlying liver disease.

Post-hepatic causes 

Post-hepatic jaundice usually occurs when there is an obstruction in the bile ducts, it going to prevents the bilirubin from being excreted to the small intestine for the digestion processes. Some of the common causes of posthepatic conditions include gallstones, pancreatic cancer, or bile duct strictures. Some of these conditions require surgical intervention to remove the blockage it always depends on the condition of an individual.

When jaundice is not serious?

In some cases, jaundice is not considered to be a serious condition until it is a mild and self-limiting condition,

• Neonatal jaundice is a common condition in newborn infants, specifically during their initial days. This is due to the immature stage of the liver when the liver matures the bilirubin will be processed by them and excreted out of the body. However, this neonatal jaundice requires proper medical supervision.  
• Gilbert’s syndrome is a common which is linked to the genetic condition and it affects the liver’s ability to process bilirubin. Individuals with Gilbert’s syndrome may experience mild jaundice, while they are in stress, fasting, or illness. This form of jaundice is generally harmless and does not require treatment.

When jaundice is a sign of a serious condition?

While some forms of jaundice are benign it becomes vital to understand the indication of more severe health issues, only when you can identify you could treat them with special care. There are some of the signs and symptoms accompanying jaundice may require immediate medical attention:

• When the jaundice arises with severe abdominal pain, high fever, or confusion, this is going to be a serious indication of underlying conditions such as acute hepatitis, bile duct obstruction, or liver failure. 
• When the jaundice persists for an extended period or worsens over time it may be a suggestion of chronic liver disease like cirrhosis or liver cancer. This is a sign that your liver is struggling to function properly so consult a doctor immediately.

Jaundice is not always serious but you should know that it can bring up a medical emergency. The signs and symptoms of jaundice shouldn’t be ignored and also understand the causes and symptoms associated with them to identify the serious condition of jaundice. Anyhow, visit the healthcare professional to treat the jaundice at the right time.

For effective jaundice treatment, trust GEM Hospital’s experienced specialists. Receive personalized care and advanced solutions. Schedule your consultation now for comprehensive health management.