Treatment For Jaundice: What Are Your Options?

Imagine noticing your skin and eyes slowly turning into a yellowish hue. Now, this is not something normal. It is an alarming sign of jaundice; a symptom of an underlying health issue.

Jaundice occurs when the liver fails to process bilirubin(a yellow segment) which in turn results in its excess bilirubin deposition. When the red blood cells die, they leave behind a toxic substance called bilirubin. The liver is responsible for filtering the bilirubin from the blood through stool.

If your liver is not healthy and is struggling to work properly as it should, it will lose its ability to remove bilirubin from the bloodstream. Too much of this pigment deposition in the body causes jaundice.

Be it lifestyle modifications, medicines or surgery, there are a lot of treatment options for jaundice. In this guide, we will delve into each of these treatment methods in detail.

How To Know That You Are Having  Jaundice?

A well-known indication of jaundice is the yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes. Apart from the deteriorating condition of the skin, there are no specific symptoms that can be associated with this condition. However, there are some signs which might indicate that an individual is suffering from jaundice, stated Dr. Indraneel Saha, a reputed jaundice treatment doctor.

• Yellowing of mucous membranes inside the mouth
• Dark or pale-coloured urine
• Abdominal pain and discomfort
• Fever and chills
• Loss of appetite
• Vomiting
• Extreme weakness

The symptoms may differ in their severity depending on their cause and how fast they are progressing. Also, these symptoms might also be indicative of other disorders. Hence, if you are experiencing these signs, make to consult a doctor for a detailed diagnosis.

Exploring The Treatment Options For Jaundice

Jaundice is not treated; rather the condition that is causing it is treated. The primary treatment methods include the following:

• Modifying Your Diet And Lifestyle
  Diet plays a significant role in jaundice recovery. It should be such that it prevents further damage to the liver. Doctors recommend consuming plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables such as blueberries, and grapes, citrus fruits, especially lemons, limes, and grapefruits. papayas and melons. Avoid eating dietary products, and sweet items like chocolate, cream and honey. Also, limit the intake of tea and coffee. If you are too stressed, consider seeking professional help to reduce your anxiety or depression otherwise it might worsen the condition.

• Medicines
  If patients are having moderate to severe jaundice, only making lifestyle changes may not be sufficient. Your jaundice treatment doctor will prescribe you medicines depending on the underlying medical condition. For instance, anaemia-induced jaundice is treated by increasing iron in the body. In that case, patients are given iron supplements. They are also asked to include iron-rich food in their diet. Steroids are also effective in the treatment of jaundice but prior doctor consultation is extremely crucial.
• Surgery
  Surgical intervention is not the first line of treatment for jaundice. Surgery is recommended in severe cases. If the patients are having bile strictures, they are required to undergo surgery for stent placement. If gallstones are the cause of your jaundice, cholecystectomy or ERCP is done.

Final Words

Some may think that jaundice is not a serious problem. But the truth is jaundice can be a symptom of a major health issue. It is seen that jaundice patients have suffered from permanent liver damage which they overlooked in the initial stage. Hence, if you think that you are having this disease, As soon as possible, consult a doctor for Jaundice treatment.