Anton Bilchik MD Discusses Jaundice

Anton Bilchik MD Discusses Jaundice

Dr. Anton Bilchik wants you to know all about jaundice, a common type of liver problem. Jaundice is a yellowing of the eyes, skin, or mucus membranes.

Old red blood cells die each day in the human body, replaced by new cells. Bilirubin is byproduct of old red blood cells. Your liver removes these dead red blood cells, creating bilirubin. Accumulation of bilirubin causes the yellow color associated with jaundice. A healthy liver breaks down bilirubin and sends the remnants to the digestive tract for removal through the stool.

Jaundice can occur when too many red blood cells die and move to the liver, when the liver becomes overloaded or damaged, or when bilirubin cannot move through the digestive tract properly. When a patient is jaundiced, a doctor will suspect problems with the liver, gall bladder, and pancreas. Infections, blood disorders, cancer, certain drugs, gallstones, birth defects and many other conditions may cause jaundice.

Symptoms of jaundice can appear suddenly, or come about slowly. Yellowing of the skin and sclera, which is the white part of the eye, are the most common symptoms. Severe jaundice may cause skin and sclera to appear brown, rather than yellow. The inside of the mouth may appear yellow, as well. Urine may be dark or brown-colored, while stools might be pale or clay-colored.

Anton Bilchik MD recommends patients with symptoms of jaundice consult with a physician to learn its underlying cause. The clinician will order a bilirubin blood test, along with a liver function test, abdominal ultrasound, a hepatitis virus panel to look for infections, and other tests to diagnose the cause of jaundice, Treatment for jaundice depends on the cause.