Definition:

It is a symptom complex which is characterized by yellow discoloration of tissues and body fluids due to increase in bile pigments.

It may arise due to

1.Increased bile pigment load to the liver.
2.Affection of bilirubin diffusion into the liver cells.
3.Defective conjugation.
4.Defective excretion.

Causes of Jaundice:

• Malfunctioning of the liver releases bile salts into the intestine, which get mixed with blood and give yellow color to the skin.
• Gallstones, inflammation of the liver (hepatitis) are the main cause.
• Dirty surroundings and overcrowding may lead to an epidemic.
• Anemia, tuberculosis, malaria and typhoid are other causes

Haemolytic Jaundice:

Results from increased destruction of red blood cells. Anemia is usually mild. So patient may present with pallor due to Anemia and splenomegaly due to excessive reticuloendothelial activity. Other symptoms like icterus, nausea, vomiting, dark yellow urine etc may be gathered from the patient.

Investigations:

Show Anemia and reticulocytosis. Liver function tests (LFT) other than raised serum bilirubin, may be normal.

Hepatocellular Jaundice:

This results from inability of the liver to transport bilirubin into the bile as a result of liver damage. Here, the concentration in the blood of both conjugated and unconjugated bilirubin increases. Jaundice usually ranges from mild to severe and the clinical features may depend on the underlying diseases.

Investigation:

Show raised levels of both conjugated and unconjugated bilirubin in LFT.

Cholestatic Jaundice:

Cholestatic Jaundice results due to obstruction of the flow and its cause may be anywhere between the hepatocyte and the duodenum. Jaundice is prolonged and severe with pale or clay colored stools, steatorrhoea and dark urine. Some patients also present with anorexia, generalized pruritus or a metallic taste in the mouth. Upper abdominal pain may be present with fever, with other manifestations of the underlying disease.

Investigations:

Liver Function test: Altered.

Congenital Non-Haemolytic Hyperbilirubinanemia:

This results due to the disturbance in the bilirubin transport conjugation or excretion of bilirubin. Presents in children or in early adulthood as Gilbert’s syndrome, Criggler-Najjar syndrome, Dubin Johnson’s syndrome and Rotor’s syndrome.

Symptoms:

• Yellow coloration of the eyes, skin, tongue and urine.
• Loss of appetite.
• Dull pain in the liver region.
• Nausea, severe constipation, extreme weakness
• Fever, headache and undue fatigue.

Suggestion about homoeopathic treatment:

A detailed history of patient should be taken including previous illness, mental disposition and general symptom.A scope of homoeopathy in jaundice is very much wider.It can be easily treated with homoeopathy medicines.