Jaundice Information on How Does Jaundice Spread?

Jaundice is not a communicable disease and is in fact a symptom of a disorder or disease. Jaundice results in a yellow discoloration of the mucus membranes and skin, due to the increased presence of bilirubin in the blood. Bilirubin is a bile pigment. Apart from the obvious yellowing, a patient is also likely to experience a dull pain in area around the liver, a loss of appetite, nausea, weakness, severe constipation, headaches and fever. Jaundice is generally caused because of an obstruction to the bile ducts, haemolytic anaemia, or because of diseases like acute hepatitis, typhoid, tuberculosis, malaria or yellow fever. In cases where jaundice is caused as a result of hepatitis, tuberculosis, or some similar disease there is a risk of contagion. The risk however does not come from jaundice itself but from the disease causing the jaundice.

Treatment of Jaundice Infectious Illness

Identifying the cause of jaundice is therefore important for treatment as it will address the underlying cause.The most effective way to treat jaundice is through dietary measures and rest. Complete recovery from jaundice is not possible if you do not adhere to the diet religiously and get your much needed rest. Recovery is particularly slow in severe cases, but rest is absolutely essential until the acute symptoms subside. Here is the diet plan that you should follow:

• For the first week the patient must be put on a juice fast, giving your liver a chance to rest. Fruit juices like lemon, orange, grape, carrot, pear, beet and sugarcane can be consumed. The patient may also need to be given hot water enemas to ensure regular bowel elimination, failing which toxins and impurities will be absorbed in the blood stream.
• After the juice fast the patient can switch to an all fruit diet for another three to five days. The diet should consist of three meals a day with fresh fruits like pears, apples, oranges, grapes and pineapples.
• The patient can thereafter resume a simple diet with fruits and vegetables. Upon arising the patient can have a glass of lukewarm water with a teaspoon of honey and a freshly squeezed lime. Breakfast should consist of fresh fruits and you can include a glass of skimmed milk without sugar. Honey can be used as a sweetener. Lunch and dinner should ideally consist of fresh fruits and raw vegetables or steamed or boiled vegetables. Between meals the patient can have lemon, sugarcane or carrot juice or coconut water. A glass of skimmed milk may also be given before going to sleep.

In addition to the dietary recommendations make it a point to avoid any fatty and fried foods and spicy foods, including pickles butter, margarine, meat products, pulses, caffeinated drinks and alcohol. While rest is essential some amount of activity is needed and even a slow stroll will do the patient some good. As the symptoms recede and strength returns the patient may gradually resume a normal diet and engage in light non strenuous exercise. It is however important to continue to avoid junk foods and fatty foods as well as caffeinated and alcoholic drinks for a few months more