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Jaundice is a disorder that develops when there are excessive levels of bilirubin present in the bloodstream. These elevated levels usually give a yellow hue appearance to the skin and the whites(sclera) of the eyes. Surgical/obstructive jaundice occurs because bile, which is composed of a dark yellow pigment called bilirubin and bile salts, produced by the liver sometimes gets blocked at the bile duct that prevents the liver from excreting bile into the small intestine. It is crucial to remember that a blockage is not always due to a malignant growth but is most often due to stones that have slipped down from the gall bladder(CBD stones). If bilirubin levels are elevated in the bloodstream, affected patients may also pass high-coloured urine or clay-coloured stools.
What Are the Symptoms That May Indicate Jaundice?
Jaundice may sometimes go unnoticed until it is discovered accidentally. The severity of symptoms is mainly influenced by the underlying causes. The best surgical gastroenterologist in Bangalore has listed down the following symptoms indicating jaundice that you may experience:
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Yellowish discolouration of sclera and skin.
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Pale stools
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Itching
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Abdominal pain
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Dark urine
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Nausea and vomiting
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Fatigue
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Unintentional weight loss.
Different Types of Jaundice
Jaundice can be classified into three types based on the location of the liver affected as mentioned below:
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Hepatocellular Jaundice
When jaundice affects the liver cells, it is categorised as hepatocellular jaundice. It can have a major impact on liver function. There’s a decrease in liver metabolism if the parenchymal cells of the liver are damaged due to infections or other disorders.
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Hemolytic Jaundice
When red blood cells in blood circulation start degrading quicker than normal, your liver may struggle to maintain upkeep because of excessive production of bilirubin. This disorder is known as hemolytic jaundice.
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Obstructive Jaundice
Obstructive jaundice is caused by a bile duct blockage that links the liver, gallbladder, and intestine. The liver becomes severely damaged due to this blockage or block, which prevents the liver from excreting the excess bilirubin, which results in jaundice.
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Jaundice and Gallstones
The gall bladder is a small, pouch-shaped organ beneath the liver. The gallbladder's main function is to accumulate and absorb bile, a fluid that helps metabolise fat. A system of channels known as the bile ducts carries bile from the liver to the gallbladder. One of the warning signs of gallstones is upper abdominal pain. Gallbladder stones are the most common cause of post-hepatic jaundice because they can slip into the bile ducts and create a blockage for the distal passage of bile.
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Jaundice and Tumour
Pancreatic, liver, and bile duct tumours can be asymptomatic in the early stages. However, patients with more advanced cancer can manifest with obstructive jaundice. These jaundice-causing tumours are known as periampullary tumours.
Can Jaundice Indicate Cancer?
Yes, especially in the elderly population with painless jaundice. Pancreatic, ampullary, bile duct and duodenal cancers(periampullary tumours) can all be identified by jaundice. Occasionally liver tumours can themselves cause jaundice in advanced stages.
Treatment Options for Jaundice - Gallstones Vs. Tumour
Whether cancer or another condition is the cause of your jaundice, acting quickly is the best way to safeguard your health. Furthermore, the best chance for successful treatment at the best gastroenterology hospital in Millers Road is provided by an early diagnosis if you do have cancer.
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Imaging tests like an abdominal ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI scan can be used to study the region around the liver and gall bladder. A treatment known as an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatogram (ERCP), which uses an endoscope to examine the bile ducts, is occasionally prescribed by doctors.
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Jaundice due to stone disease is usually treated with an ERCP procedure to clear the bile duct of stones followed by laparoscopic cholecystectomy for removal of the gall bladder which is the source of these stones.
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Whereas jaundice due to tumours requires a more complex multimodal treatment involving the endoscopist to assess the need for ERCP, a medical oncologist to assess the need for chemotherapy and a surgical gastroenterologist to perform the tumour excising surgery (Whipple pancreatoduodenectomy).
To summarise, jaundice is a disorder that several conditions can trigger, such as liver disease or bile duct blockage(stone or cancer). It is critical to recognise the early signs of jaundice and get treatment right away.
FAQs
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Can liver disease lead to jaundice?
Yes. Jaundice can be a sign of advanced liver illness.
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Is jaundice an indication of cancer?
Jaundice can indeed signal malignancy, particularly progressive and painless jaundice in the elderly.
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What signs or symptoms can there be of a blocked bile duct?
Abdominal discomfort on the upper right side, dark urine, fever, itching, waxing/waning jaundice, nausea, vomiting, and clay-coloured or light-coloured faeces are all signs of bile duct blockage.
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Is jaundice curable?
Yes, when identified early, evaluated thoroughly and treated appropriately, any patient with jaundice can be cured.
