“How can jaundice happen in adults?”
I know that jaundice is common among newborns, but I recently heard cases of adults contracting it as well. How does this happen? Does this usually need to be treated?
3 Answers
Jaundice could happen in adult and need further medical attention to determine the causes which will lead to prognosis and treatment options
Jaundice is essentially yellow discoloration of skin or white of eyes due to accumulation of a pigment called bilirubin in blood. Bilirubin is a byproduct of normal human metabolism and is exerted out of blood stream by Liver into small intestine and then passed out of body through fecal material. If bilirubin is produced in excess or liver can not process it or liver can not excrete it, it builds up in body causing jaundice. Jaundice can happen due to infectious or non infectious causes. If you suspect jaundice, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible to get to the bottom of the matter as it can be a sign of major liver disease.
Jaundice in adults is usually from some LIVER or BILIARY tract problem(hepatitis, cirrhosis, gall stones, pancreatic disease, etc); but also occasionally from some BLOOD disease that causes hemolysis(where the red blood cells are being destroyed) or wherew the bone marrow is not functioning properly)
There also is an uncommon syndrome(Gilbert's) where a patient may develop mild jaundice with some stressful physical or medical event. This is a totally benign condition with no significant liver or blood abnormalities. The jaundice will disappear once the instigating event resolves.
There also is an uncommon syndrome(Gilbert's) where a patient may develop mild jaundice with some stressful physical or medical event. This is a totally benign condition with no significant liver or blood abnormalities. The jaundice will disappear once the instigating event resolves.
