Jaundice frequently affects children, but can also occur in adults. It is caused by a state of hyperbilirubinemia, which is an excessively high level of bilirubin, a substance present in the bile produced by the liver. Due to this excess, the skin, the sclera of the eyes and the mucous membranes take on a yellowish color. While not necessarily a dangerous condition, jaundice can be a symptom of an undiagnosed disease that requires treatment.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Ask the Doctor for Help
Step 1. Go to the doctor
If you or a member of your family are experiencing symptoms of jaundice, see your doctor as soon as possible. Generally it is not necessary to take medications, but it is important to rule out that a more serious illness is causing the disorder. When it affects adults, jaundice can cause the following symptoms:
- Fever;
- Chills;
- Abdominal pain
- Other flu-like symptoms
- Yellowish discoloration of skin, eye sclera and mucous membranes.
Step 2. See your doctor if you think your child may have jaundice
This condition often affects infants and very young children as well, but generally disappears on its own within a couple of weeks. In some cases, however, serious complications can arise, so see your doctor promptly if you think your child may have jaundice.
- To diagnose jaundice, see if your child has yellowish skin and sclera of the eyes.
- If your baby exhibits symptoms of the disease, seek immediate medical attention.
Step 3. Get a firm diagnosis
Often in adults, jaundice is caused by a major disease that requires treatment. Your doctor may order tests to confirm the presence of the disorder that is causing the jaundice and medication to treat it. Depending on your condition, they may order blood tests, an ultrasound scan, a CT scan, or even a liver biopsy to look for the cause of the jaundice. Conditions that can cause excess bilirubin include:
- Hepatitis A;
- Chronic hepatitis B or C;
- Infectious mononucleosis (caused by the Epstein-Barr virus);
- Alcoholism;
- Autoimmune or genetic disease;
- Gallstones;
- Inflammation of the gallbladder;
- Gallbladder cancer
- Pancreatitis;
- Jaundice can also be a side effect caused by a drug or substance. Among those accused are acetaminophen, penicillin, oral contraceptives and steroids.
- Doctors may be able to diagnose jaundice by examining the liver for conditions such as bruising, spider angiomas, palmar erythema, or by urinalysis that can reveal the presence of bilirubin. If necessary, you can also use diagnostic imaging or a liver biopsy to confirm your diagnosis.
Step 4. Treat the condition that is causing the jaundice
If your doctor has discovered that it is a symptom of another disease, they will likely prescribe a cure to see if the related symptoms go away. Therapy aimed at treating the causes and complications of jaundice could solve all your health problems.
Step 5. Wait for the jaundice to heal on its own
In most cases it will clear up without the need for any treatment. Talk to your doctor to make sure waiting is the best option for you, especially if jaundice is a symptom of another medical condition.
Step 6. Solve the itch problem with medicines
Sometimes jaundice can itch; if the symptom is bothersome and prevents you from carrying out your daily activities peacefully, you can take a cholestyramine-based drug.
- Cholestyramine works by reducing cholesterol levels in the blood.
- It is a drug that can cause side effects, such as abdominal pain, indigestion, nausea, flatulence and constipation.
Step 7. Take care of your baby
Infantile jaundice is a very common ailment and generally heals on its own, as in adults. However, your doctor may prescribe therapy to relieve your baby's symptoms. The most common treatments include:
- Phototherapy, in which light is used to help it expel excess bilirubin;
- Administration of intravenous immunoglobulins, to reduce the antibodies that cause jaundice;
- Exchange transfusion, the purpose of which is to remove small amounts of blood to dilute bilirubin. This is a solution that is generally adopted only in the most serious cases.
Part 2 of 2: Preventing Jaundice
Step 1. Prevent hepatitis infections
Having contracted the hepatitis virus is one of the main causes of jaundice in adults. Doing your best to avoid contact with the virus can minimize the risk of getting jaundice, as well as of course getting hepatitis.
- You can prevent hepatitis A with a vaccine available to everyone.
- Hepatitis A spreads through microparticles of fecal matter that can sometimes be contained in food, especially food that has gone bad. Be careful when traveling to avoid eating foods that have not been cleaned or cooked properly.
- Hepatitis B can also be prevented with a vaccine. Anyone, from infants to adults, can get vaccinated.
- There is no vaccine against hepatitis C.
- Hepatitis B and C are spread through the blood and body fluids of an infected individual, but not through casual contact. It is essential to avoid reusing any type of needle, from those for tattoos to those for injecting drugs, to prevent the spread of these viruses.
Step 2. Drink in moderation
Since the liver processes alcohol and jaundice originates from there, do not exceed the recommended daily limits. In addition to relieving the symptoms of jaundice, avoiding abusing alcoholic beverages helps you prevent many other diseases, including liver cirrhosis.
- The maximum recommended daily dose is 2-3 units of alcohol for women and 3-4 units for men.
- As a reference, consider that a bottle of wine contains about 9 or 10 units of alcohol.
Step 3. Maintain a healthy body weight
Staying stably within a healthy range can help keep your entire body healthy, including the liver, thereby preventing jaundice.
- Maintaining a healthy body weight is simple if you follow a regular, healthy and balanced diet. Foods that are rich in nutrients and contain a moderate amount of complex carbohydrates and fats are the most beneficial to the health of the body in general.
- Consume around 1,800-2,200 calories per day, depending on your lifestyle. The calories should come from nutrient-rich foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, dairy products, and the leanest sources of protein.
- Exercising is very important to be able to maintain a healthy weight and stay healthy.
- Practice low-impact aerobics every day to keep fit and improve heart and whole body health. Make it a goal to get at least 30 minutes of exercise almost every day of the week.
Step 4. Monitor your cholesterol levels
It is useful not only for preventing jaundice, but also for whole body health. You can regulate your cholesterol levels through a healthy diet and exercise routine or, if necessary, by using medications.
- Consuming more soluble fiber, healthy fats, and foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids can help keep cholesterol in check. Foods such as lean cuts of meat, light dairy products, extra virgin olive oil, salmon, almonds, oats, lentils and vegetables contain all of these nutrients.
- Reduce or avoid trans fats. Since they raise bad cholesterol (LDL) levels in the blood, it is important not to eat them. For example, you should avoid all fried foods and most packaged foods, including cookies, crackers, snacks, etc., to control cholesterol levels.
- Thirty minutes of exercise a day can help raise the levels of so-called good cholesterol (HDL) in the blood.
- There is evidence that quitting smoking causes an increase in good cholesterol levels.
Step 5. Make sure your child gets all the nutrients they need
It is important to check that you eat enough, it is the best way to prevent childhood jaundice.
