Jaundice

Jaundice turns the skin and eyes yellow because high levels of bilirubin build up in the blood. This yellowing usually signals problems with the liver, gallbladder, or red blood cells, and should not be ignored. People may also notice dark urine, pale stools, and sometimes itching.

Many health issues can cause jaundice, such as hepatitis, gallstones, liver problems, certain medicines, or a quick breakdown of red blood cells. Jaundice can affect people of all ages, from newborns to adults. Learning what causes jaundice and how it looks helps people get the right treatment early and avoid complications.

Definition of Symptom

A symptom is any sign or feeling that shows something might be wrong with the body. It is what a person notices or experiences that points to a health problem. Symptoms may be visible, like yellowing of the skin or eyes, or felt, such as abdominal pain or tiredness. People might also notice changes in their body, like dark urine or pale stools. Doctors look for specific symptoms of jaundice, which may include:

• Yellow skin and eyes
• Dark-colored urine
• Pale or clay-colored stools
• Itchy skin
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea and vomiting
• Weakness or feeling tired

These symptoms often result from high levels of bilirubin in the blood. Other symptoms, such as fever or abdominal pain, may occur if jaundice is caused by infections or liver problems.

Possible Causes/Diseases Condition

Jaundice happens when too much bilirubin builds up in the blood. Problems in the liver, blood, or bile ducts can cause this. Common causes and diseases linked to jaundice include:

• Hepatitis (A, B, and Other Types): Infections that inflame the liver and stop it from processing bilirubin properly.
• Cirrhosis: Scarring of the liver from long-term damage, which reduces liver function.
• Gallstones: Hard deposits that block the bile ducts and prevent bilirubin from leaving the body.
• Pancreatic Cancer and Liver Cancer: Tumors that block bile flow or damage liver cells.
• Cholangitis: Infection of the bile ducts.
• Pancreatitis: Inflamed pancreas that can affect bile flow.
• Blood Disorders: Conditions such as hemolytic anemia, thalassemia, sickle cell disease, or malaria, which cause the rapid breakdown of red blood cells.

Other possible causes and conditions:

• Crigler-Najjar Syndrome and Gilbert’s Syndrome: Rare genetic problems affecting the way the liver processes bilirubin.
• Newborn Jaundice (Physiological jaundice): Common in newborns, especially in the first week of life.
• Breastfeeding Jaundice: Sometimes seen in babies during the first days of feeding.
• Blood Group Incompatibility: Mismatched blood types between mother and baby can cause newborn jaundice.
• Autoimmune Disorders: The immune system may attack the liver or red blood cells.

Condition	Area Affected	How It Causes Jaundice
Hepatitis	Liver	Blocks bilirubin process
Gallstones	Bile ducts	Blocks bilirubin flow
Hemolytic Anemia	Blood	Destroys red blood cells
Pancreatic Cancer	Bile ducts/liver	Blocks or destroys cells
Gilbert’s Syndrome	Liver function	Slow bilirubin metabolism

Other Non-Disease Causes

Not all cases of jaundice come from diseases. Some non-disease factors can lead to temporary yellowing of the skin and eyes. Certain drugs, such as antibiotics and pain relievers, can affect how the liver handles bilirubin, causing buildup even if the liver is otherwise healthy.

Diet and lifestyle choices also play a role. Drinking too much alcohol over time can harm the liver. Short periods of heavy drinking may sometimes cause mild, temporary jaundice. Poor hydration or drastic fasting can also interfere with how the body removes bilirubin.

Blockages not related to disease, like gallstones formed from rapid weight loss, may temporarily block bile ducts and cause jaundice. Doctors use imaging tests like ultrasound, MRI, and CT scans to find these non-disease causes by showing if there is a physical blockage. Blood tests and liver function tests check if the liver is working normally.

Test Type	What It Detects
Ultrasound	Blockages, gallstones
MRI / CT Scan	Bile duct obstructions
Blood Tests	Bilirubin, liver function
Liver Biopsy	Liver cell issues
ERCP	Bile duct narrowing/blockages

How It Causes the Symptom

Jaundice develops when too much bilirubin builds up in the blood. Bilirubin is a yellow pigment made when red blood cells break down. Usually, the liver removes bilirubin from the blood and changes it into a form that leaves the body. If the liver does not work well, it cannot process bilirubin properly, and bilirubin builds up. High levels of bilirubin in the blood cause yellow skin and eyes.

Problems with the bile ducts can also cause jaundice. The bile ducts carry bile (which contains bilirubin) from the liver to the intestine. If gallstones, tumors, or infections block the ducts, bilirubin cannot leave the liver. Sometimes, the body breaks down red blood cells too quickly. This makes more bilirubin than the liver can handle, so extra bilirubin stays in the blood.

Cause	How It Leads to Jaundice
Liver damage	Poor processing of bilirubin.
Blocked bile ducts	Bilirubin cannot exit the liver.
Hemolysis	Too much bilirubin made too quickly.

When bilirubin builds up, it moves into body tissues. This is why the skin, whites of the eyes, and sometimes mucous membranes turn yellow. The amount and speed of this yellowing depend on how much and how fast bilirubin is increasing.

Possible Complications

Jaundice itself is a symptom, but if the underlying cause is not treated, several complications can occur.

• Liver Failure: Severe cases of jaundice, especially from hepatitis or cirrhosis, can cause the liver to stop working. People with liver failure may need a liver transplant if other treatments do not help.
• Kernicterus: Very high levels of bilirubin can sometimes cause brain damage, called kernicterus. This is most common in newborns, but can also happen in adults with extreme jaundice.
• Infections: Some causes of jaundice, like hepatitis and bile duct problems, can lead to infections. Doctors may treat these with antibiotics or blood transfusions in cases of severe blood loss.
• Medications Needed: Depending on the cause, doctors may use antiviral medicine for viral infections. Antihistamines can help reduce itching when bile builds up.

Complication	Possible Treatment
Liver Failure	Liver Transplant
Infections	Antibiotics, Blood Transfusion
Kernicterus	Immediate Medical Care
Viral Hepatitis	Antiviral Medications
Itching (pruritus)	Antihistamines

When to Seek Medical Attention

Noticing yellow skin or eyes, dark urine, or pale stools in an adult means you should contact a doctor right away. These symptoms of jaundice may point to liver or gallbladder problems and need prompt attention. Key symptoms that need medical help:

• Severe abdominal pain or swelling
• Feeling confused, very tired, or dizzy
• Blood in vomit or stool
• High fever with chills
• Rapidly worsening yellowing

Call emergency services if you have trouble breathing, chest pain, or sudden confusion. Doctors check for the cause of jaundice and begin the right treatment. In newborns, jaundice is common, but some cases need special care like light therapy to lower bilirubin levels. Adults may get treatments that fit their health problem, such as fluids, medicines, or sometimes surgery.