Jaundice Treatment in Chennai
Comprehensive Jaundice Diagnosis & Treatment at GEM Hospital Chennai
Jaundice causes the whites of the eyes and skin to turn yellow, accompanied by dark urine, pale stools, and persistent itching. Because jaundice can signal a viral infection, gallstones blocking the bile duct, or liver and pancreatic disorders, accurate cause-based diagnosis is paramount to effective recovery.
At GEM Hospital Chennai (Aminjikarai and Perungudi), our dedicated team of hepatologists, gastroenterologists, interventional endoscopists, and GI surgeons provides comprehensive clinical evaluation and 24/7 emergency care. We do not just treat the yellow color; we treat the root cause.
Care Highlights at GEM Hospital Chennai
What is Jaundice?
Jaundice (icterus) is not a standalone disease; it is a clinical sign that your body is having trouble processing bilirubin, a yellow pigment created during the normal breakdown of red blood cells. When bilirubin levels in the blood rise above 2.5 to 3 mg/dL, it deposits into tissues, causing a noticeable yellow tint in the whites of the eyes (sclera) and skin.
Because jaundice can indicate anything from a mild viral infection to an obstructed bile duct or liver disease, finding the exact cause through specialized hepatology assessment is the critical first step.
Understanding the Three Clinical Types
Depending on where the bilirubin buildup originates, jaundice is classified into three categories:
Pre-Hepatic (Hemolytic)
Caused by excessive breakdown of red blood cells (hemolysis) overwhelming the liver's processing capacity, often seen in sickle cell disease, thalassemia, or malaria.
Hepatic (Hepatocellular)
Occurs when liver cells (hepatocytes) are damaged by viral hepatitis (A, B, C, E), alcohol abuse, toxic medications, or autoimmune liver disease.
Post-Hepatic (Obstructive / Surgical Jaundice)
Occurs when bile ducts are physically blocked, preventing bile from draining from the liver to the intestines. Common causes include common bile duct (CBD) gallstones, bile duct strictures, cysts, or tumors of the pancreas or bile ducts.
Accurate Diagnosis: How We Find the Cause
Treating jaundice requires pinpoint accuracy. At GEM Hospital Chennai, our diagnostic suite includes:
Comprehensive Liver Function Panel (LFT)
Detailed measurement of Total & Direct Bilirubin, SGOT/AST, SGPT/ALT, Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), GGT, and viral hepatitis serology markers.
MRCP & High-Resolution Ultrasound
Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) non-invasively visualizes the entire biliary tree and pancreatic ducts in 3D to detect stones, blockages, or narrowing.
Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS) & SpyGlass
High-definition internal ultrasound imaging for millimeter-sized stones or early ductal lesions, with SpyGlass direct cholangioscopy for optical biopsy.
Treatments for Jaundice at GEM Hospital Chennai
Treatment is targeted directly at the underlying etiology:
ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography)
Non-surgical endoscopic treatment to remove common bile duct stones, perform sphincterotomy, and place plastic or metal stents to relieve jaundice instantly.
Medical Hepatology Care
Targeted antiviral therapies for Hepatitis B/C, liver protective medications, nutritional rehabilitation for alcoholic hepatitis, and immunosuppressants for autoimmune liver disease.
Advanced HPB & Liver Surgery
Minimally invasive laparoscopic biliary bypass, gallbladder removal, liver resection, or liver transplantation for decompensated end-stage liver failure.
Frequently Asked Questions
The fastest and most effective way is to identify and treat the underlying cause. If jaundice is caused by an obstructive bile duct stone, ERCP can remove the stone within minutes. If caused by viral hepatitis, supportive medical treatment and antiviral therapy promote prompt recovery.
No. While rest and hydration are supportive, self-medicating or relying on unverified remedies can be dangerous, especially if the jaundice is caused by a blocked bile duct, infection, or progressing liver disease.
Avoid oily, greasy, fried foods, heavy spices, and all alcohol. Opt for easily digestible carbohydrates, boiled vegetables, fruits, coconut water, and clean fluids that do not burden the liver.
Seek immediate emergency attention if jaundice is accompanied by high fever with chills, severe abdominal pain, mental confusion, or extreme weakness. This may indicate cholangitis or acute liver injury.
Depending on the cause, obstructive jaundice often begins resolving within 48 to 72 hours following ERCP drainage. Viral hepatitis jaundice typically takes 2 to 4 weeks to normalize as liver enzymes stabilize.
Yes, GEM Hospital provides advanced hepatology, interventional ERCP, and surgical care for all types of jaundice across our Aminjikarai and Perungudi centers.
Noticed Yellowing Eyes or Skin? Get Evaluated in Chennai.
Accurate cause-based diagnosis is the first step to full recovery. Consult GEM Hospital Chennai's hepatology specialists today.
