DigestiveICD-10: R17
Jaundice
Also known as: Icterus, Yellow Skin, Hyperbilirubinemia
Jaundice is yellowing of the skin and eyes caused by elevated bilirubin in the blood. It is not a disease itself but a sign of an underlying condition affecting the liver, bile ducts, or red blood cells. In adults, jaundice always warrants medical evaluation.
Symptoms
Yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes
Dark-colored urine
Pale or clay-colored stools
Itching (pruritus), often severe
Fatigue and weakness
Abdominal pain in the upper right area
Nausea and vomiting
Causes
- Pre-hepatic: excessive red blood cell breakdown (hemolytic anemia)
- Hepatic: liver diseases (hepatitis, cirrhosis, alcoholic liver disease)
- Post-hepatic: bile duct blockage from gallstones, tumors, or strictures
- Medications and toxins that damage the liver
- Gilbert syndrome (benign, inherited condition)
Risk Factors
- Chronic liver disease or cirrhosis
- Heavy alcohol consumption
- Hepatitis B or C infection
- Gallstones
- Pancreatic or bile duct cancers
- Hemolytic conditions (sickle cell disease, G6PD deficiency)
Diagnosis
- Blood tests: bilirubin levels, liver function tests
- CBC to assess for hemolytic anemia
- Abdominal ultrasound for liver, gallbladder, and bile ducts
- CT or MRCP for bile duct obstruction
- Liver biopsy if cause remains unclear
Treatment
- Treatment depends entirely on the underlying cause
- Gallstone removal for obstructive jaundice
- Antiviral medications for hepatitis
- Cessation of hepatotoxic medications or alcohol
- Phototherapy for neonatal jaundice
- Surgery for tumors causing bile duct obstruction
When to See a Doctor
- You notice yellowing of your skin or eyes
- Your urine becomes dark or stools become pale
- Jaundice is accompanied by fever, abdominal pain, or weight loss
- Itching is severe and widespread
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Conditions
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