Jaundice Causes, Symptoms, Treatment and Diet for Jaundice

Jaundice is a result of increased bilirubin levels in the extracellular fluids that gives the mucous membranes of the skin and eye a yellow discoloration. In order to know how jaundice occur it is important to know many other physiological changes happening in our body. Remember jaundice is a symptom for many diseases and itself is not a disease.

The red blood cells in our body have a life span of 120 days after which their membrane becomes fragile and easy to rupture. As the red blood cells ruptures its contents are released in the blood. Hemoglobin is the component of red blood cell related to jaundice. Hemoglobin when released in the blood splits in to haem and globin parts. As globin is a protein it is further metabolized in to amino acids and thus plays no role in occurrence of jaundice. But the haem molecule is oxidized to form biliverdin (green color pigment), which is further reduced to form bilirubin (yellow color pigment). This bilirubin in the blood is free or un-conjugated or indirect bilirubin. This free bilirubin then travels through the bloodstream to the liver where it is conjugated to a water soluble form. From the liver this conjugated bilirubin is excreted in the bile. Further reactions in the intestine excrete bilirubin in the urine and feces.

Jaundice comes when there is any interference of pathological processes with the mentioned above normal metabolism and excretion of bilirubin. Jaundice can be divided in to three categories namely – pre-hepatic (condition prior entering the liver), hepatic (condition associated within the liver) and post-hepatic (condition after conjugated bilirubin leaves the liver).

Jaundice Liver Disease Treatment Tips

To treat the jaundice completely and quickly it is very important to know the cause for the symptom and treat the cause. Along with the medications prescribed by a specialist, mild form of jaundice can be effectively treated by following these tips.

• Recovery time will be directly proportional to the severity of your condition but a good diet and adequate rest are two essential components that will help your to fight the disease.
• Drink lots of fluids to flush off the excess yellow pigment from your system via urine and feces. Besides water fresh fruit and vegetable juices, sugarcane juices, coconut water can also be encouraged.
• As the condition improves a soft, easily digestible, low fat diet should be started.
• Simple monounsaturated fats that can be easily digested like cream and butter can be gradually added in your diet as your bilirubin levels fall.
• Alcohol should be completely avoided until the liver cells are recovered completely. Stress of any kind should also be completely avoided.