Symptoms of Jaundice

Jaundice is caused by too much bilirubin, which is a chemical in hemoglobin. Bilirubin, which is yellow, builds up in the body when the liver is having difficulty processing red blood cells as they break down. There are few symptoms of jaundice, but they are very prominent.

Skin Changes

• The skin will appear yellow to orange. The whites of the eyes may also turn yellow.

Stool and Urine Changes

• The stools of someone with jaundice can look lighter or pale colored. Urine may become darker and even look brown.

Reasons

• During the first week of life, it is not uncommon for a baby to get jaundice, which usually goes away. It can, however, occur at any age due to hepatitis, cirrhosis, blood diseases, bile duct blockages, infections and medicines.

Tests

• Aside from the obvious symptoms of jaundice, it is diagnosed through testing. Blood work can detect elevated levels of bilirubin.

Treatment

• For newborn jaundice, bili lights, a type of phototherapy, are used to treat the condition. Treatments for other causes of jaundice will focus on the cause of the problem, such as a blocked bile duct.