JAUNDICE AND YOU

Jaundice is an unhealthy condition characterized by the yellowness of the skin, mucus membranes,

eyes, and urine. Jaundice can manifest in babies, children, and adults. Jaundice may appear suddenly

or develop slowly over time. The discoloration is caused by accumulation of bilirubin in the blood

and body. Bilirubin is normally excreted in bile to give faeces the normal yellow-brown coloration.

Bilirubin is a bile pigment, that is, breakdown product of the heme portion of hemoglobin. Extremely

high levels of bilirubin causes jaundice. Jaundice that is present in older babies and children is not

considered normal. It could be

that there is problem with the liver, infection, or other illness,.

Some of the causes of Jaundice are listed below;

     1.   Birth defects.

     2.   Interruption of bile from the liver.

     3.   A condition that disturbs the ability of enzymes to process the excretion of bile.

     4.   Blood disorders.

     5.   Inability of the liver to conjugate and secrete bilirubin.

     6.   Malaria.

     7.   Infection.

     8.   Cancer.

     9.   Inflammation of the bile duct.

    10. Inability of the liver to remove bilirubin.

Some of the symptoms of jaundices include;

     1.  Weight loss..

     2.   Vomiting.

     3.   Pale faeces.

     4.   Dark colored urine.

     5.   Yellow skin and yellow eyes(sclera : white part of the eyes).

     6.    Fever.

     7.   Stomach pain.

Prevention of jaundice is as follows;

     1.   Eating balanced diet.

     2.   Exercising at least 4 times a week.

     3.   Reduction in the intake of alcohol.

     4.   Avoid medications that can cause direct damage to the liver.

     5.   Maintaining a healthy weight.

     6.   Take vaccines for hepatitis (all hepatitis type).

Kindly visit your doctor immediately any of the symptoms listed above is noticed.

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